2018 has certainly been a hell of a year for music. Here, the Midwest Action staff pulled their favorites from a year characterized by standout creative work to form our Best of 2018 lists. Check out our 13 favorite EPs from 2018 below.
*69 by Emily Blue
Emily Blue’s *69 uses pop power for social commentary. Love the cutting look at what it is like to be a woman right now, and the music is catchy AF.
–Tina Mead
Prom Queen by Beach Bunny
Bright, jangly guitar pop that frames 20-something growing pains with a modern John Hughes warmth.
–Dale Price
Splendor Dysphoria by SuperKnova
I’ve fallen fully and completely head-over-heels for SuperKnova’s debut EP. It’s easy listening meets swanky nighttime guitar pop. Its messaging is super affirming, too, which is the cherry on top of an already excellent collection of songs.
-Alyssa Lee
Things to Throw Off a Cliff by Charlie Otto
This EP is different than anything you’ve ever heard. That’s because Charlie is unlike any artist you have ever encountered. His sophomore EP is an impressive display of the wide array of styles that he has mastered over his many years. You might know Charlie from acts such as This Must Be the Band and DJ No DJ.
–Neal Zeleznak
Sleep Receiver by The Cult of Lip
Beautifully atmospheric, heavy, shoegaze from Minnesota’s Cult of Lip (formerly VATS). Plenty of warble and tremolo for you shoegaze purists but with a heaping pile of psychedelic guitar noise thrown into the mix. One of the catchiest and heaviest shoegaze releases of the year.
–Dan Jarvis
I Must Have Peace, and This is the Only Way by Ribbonhead
I must have a long ass title. I dig this heavy, thick, muddy rage set to a glitching metronome. It really rustles my jimmies.
–Silas Mishler
Siren Songs of the Apocalypse by Seven Cities Dead
They have a little bit of everything in just a six song EP. From heavy gnarly riffs to melodic harmony singing to dueling guitar solos, it’s completed with a beastly growling screaming vocalist. This dynamic, driven band gives each song unique character, all with a really positive and profound message to tie it all together.
–Guy Smith
378 Vol. 2 by The Bascinets
Jangly music that traverses between pop and psychedelic and dissonance. It encourages introspection, looking at all the choices and changes life brings. The engineering is done in layers that will delight. Plug in your headphones, put on this EP, close your eyes, and go for a five song ride. You won’t be sorry.
–Tina Mead
Florida Trip by Order to Chaos
Order to Chaos stands out in a really diverse metal market. They combine a little bit of almost every form of rock and metal. Their vocalist is super diverse, combining singing with high, mid, and low screaming. Their musicality and knowledge of their instruments is evident in their music.
–Guy Smith
Open yr Mouth by Sugar Pulp
Perfect little trio of songs contemplating violence, power, and lust. They make great use of Deb’s cutting vocals and the dramatic instrumentation we love them for.
–Tina Mead
Life on Terminus by Lollygagger
Life on Terminus is like your “stripped down, confident Dad.” Yeah, he’s a grown-up now, but he’s still punk as fuck and hardcore as shit. He still wants to talk about politics and space with you, and he still likes to frickin’ BOOGIE. He’s a good Dad.
–Ashley Mishler
Crush EP by Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae’s Crush EP is a catchy, sultry, and personal. Its lead single, “Sticky,” is absolutely irresistible, and its momentum is carried through rest of the EP. It’s equal parts R&B, funk, and soul, and 100% worth a listen when you feel like getting in a groove.
–Alyssa Lee
Best of 2018
ALBUMS • EPS • SONGS • MUSIC VIDEOS • VINYL RELEASES • CASSETTE RELEASES