Extended Play 2021
Also I didn't take TURNSTILE's "T.L.C." into consideration, since it was more like a precursor to the album than a standalone EP. Even without all these records the list is packed as fucked, which speaks volumes for the quality of 2021. But now, enjoy and check out what you haven't checked out yet!
30 // Children's Letters to God //
Pulling the Knife out of my Back
[The Ghost is Clear Records]
An early release of 2021 with Tom Rabon of EXHALANTS, who also was playing in INNARDS. You should not sleep on this if you dig fast, technical, yet highly melodic Screamo. (Review)
29 // Coven // La chaleur nous accable
[Remorse Records]
In 2020 it was LORNE MALVO which gave me my dose of French Screamo, in 2021 it was up to COVEN. Their debut-EP is in the best traditon of bands like DAITRO or AUSSITOT MORT and just sounds fantastic. I especially like the versatility of the four-piece, ranging from ultra-pop-sensibility to groovy New-School-Mosh.
28 // Broken Vow // Sane Minds End
[New Morality Zine]
The band out of Connecticut was following their promising Demo from last year with their debut-EP and they easily delivered. This is genuine, no-bullshit-90s-metallic Hardcore for every fan of UNBROKEN, early MORNING AGAIN, early EARTH CRISIS or STRIFE. I'm amazed that a young band like this has such a delicious taste!
27 // No longer at Ease // No longer at Ease
[Sunday Drive Records]
This project featuring various NCHC-natives calls bands like BANE, VERSE, HAVE HEART or RUINER to mind and that's something I'm totally down with, especially when it sounds as redefined as these four songs. (Mini-Review)
26 // defacto en scripture // What happens, happens
[Middle Man Records]
This EP is the best proof that it's always rewarding, when you check out all of Middle Man Records' releases. There's little to none information to be found about this 3-piece, but the music speaks volumes. DEFACTO EN SCRIPTURE play wonderful emotional, screamy Hardcore in the tradition of the Mid-90s.
25 // Feverchild // Feverchild
[Sunday Drive Records]
You can't say that the 90s-Indie-Emo-style of MINERAL, TEXAS IS REASON and SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE was going strong in 2021, but still, there was this band out of Belgium, putting you into a time capsule. It's baffling, how sincere this sounds. (Mini-Review)
24 // Strangelight // The World needs Laughter
[DIY]
The band out of Oakland, California followed their stellar "Adult Themes"-album with four new tracks of Garage-Rock-infused Post-Punk. They definitely have this shit down!
23 // Since my Beloved // The Sickness called Despair
[The Coming Strife Records]
It was most definitely pure coincidence that the DYING WISH-album and this EP here were put out over the span of a few weeks, but still it's refreshing hearing Metalcore like that in 2021. SINCE MY BELOVED play Melodic Metalcore that could fit into the late 90s/early 2000s and is reminiscent of bands like 7 ANGELS 7 PLAGUES, ENDTHISDAY, UNDYING, DISEMBODIED or even early UNDEROATH in some sequences. It's not like I was totally high on that style back then, but I did like it and the band out of Texas does a great job calling this time to mind...
22 // Torture Rack // Pit of Limbs
[DIY]
Who am I to judge this EP? This is probably the only pure Metal-release I've checked out all year and I really don't know why I did in the first place. I guess it was a mix of boredom and me liking the artwork. However this was a lucky shot, as "Pit of Limbs" is the way I love my Death-Metal. It's fast, it's no bullshit, it's intense as fuck, and the songs don't overstay their welcome. If more Metal-bands would sound like TORTURE RACK, I'd grow long hair, whatever the cost! (Review)
21 // Fabio // Was ich bin
[DIY]
Eher zufällig bin ich auf die Debüt-EP vom deutschen Solo-Künstler FABIO gestoßen. Und was ich entdeckte, war eine faustdicke Überraschung, denn der Hesse kombiniert Twinkle-Emo im Stile von AMERICAN FOOTBALL mit poppiger Eingängigkeit und deutschsprachigen Texten. Und was für Texte! Authentisch, originell und frei von Klischees, sind sie es, die diese EP zu etwas Besonderem machen. (Review)
20 // Heart Attack Man // Thoughtz & Prayerz
[Triple Crown Records]
For a change no newcomers, though I was unfamiliar with them, when discovering "Thoughtz & Prayerz". And what to I say, but this was one of the most suprising records of the year. Not just in general, but within the record as well. It starts off as some kind of Crossover/Nu-Metal-shmock and slowly moves towards more melodic sequences, finally heading into full force Pop-Punk à la SUM41. It's what a record should be every now and then: Utter fun without too much depth. (Review)
19 // Home is where // I became Birds
[Knifepunch Records]
HOME IS WHERE went viral with their 5th-Wave-Emo-categorization on Twitter, something that actually helped in making them even more likeable as those strange Emo nerds. They've put themselves in the Singer/Songwriter-kind-of-style, but honestly, they take everything from any "Emo category" as this is just a diverse record. From Singer/Songwriter to Pop-Punk, from Screamo to Midwest-Emo, from crushing to melancholic, this is a shining example of the new wave. (Review)
18 // suspects // It's just you and me now.
[suspects audio documents]
This is one of the more obscure records of the list and the "making of" is definitely the most silly thing I've ever heard. The record/project is based on a scrapbook that was found on the street by one of the participating musicians. If that's not strange enough, in 2013 one of the musicians went missing and it was thought that he had the only copy of the original recordings. That lead to the end of the project. Then in the 2020-lockdown another band member found the tape along with the scrapbook, while clearing out his flat. The project was then finished with the help of Sean, vocalist from the legendary THOUGHTS OF IONESCO, as a tribute to the their missed buddy. Musically this is some dark and haunting Post-Hardcore-/Noise-Rock-/Bulldozer-Hardcore/Alternative-Rock-hybrid and totally worth a listen! (Review)
17 // Happy Case Scenario // Make America sad again
[DIY]
The 2021-success-story for the Pop-Punk-outfit from Virginia was probably that they were able to recruit a bassist. This EP here was finished before and it already displays their talent in creating juvenile, Lo-Fi-Pop-Punk-smashers with a certain Midwest-Emo-flavour. "Grey" is a big hit, the other 4 tracks are at least small hits. Full Length, anyone? (Review)
16 // Hate it too // Gaslighting
[Hell for Breakfast Records]
After last year's suprise hit "Lampshading", HATE IT TOO continue their way of proggy, yet catchy Skatepunk with "Gaslighting". They are so confident right now, that they can focus on the details. And this pays, as the new recordings sound superb. Give me that next "ing"-record! (Review)
15 // Fire & Flood // Through Hate, Through Healing
[Patient Zero Records]
North Carolina Hardcore was a force in 2021, but FIRE & FLOOD proved, that you better not forget about the South Carolina-scene. The five-piece combines desperate Hardcore in the vein of DEFEATER with metallic Hardcore á la UNBROKEN. This is full of powerful singalongs, groovy Mosh-parts and unrelenting rhythms! But what surprised me the most, was the fact, that they managed to write 4-minute-Hardcore-songs that actually work. (Mini-Review)
14 // Parting // Unmake me
[Count your Lucky Stars]
This Emo-supergroup with former members of EMPIRE! EMPIRE! or DOWSING delivered big time and breathed new life into their era's sound. Keith Latinen's handwriting is all over this, especially his stripped-down, but oh so beautiful and easy to relate to lyrics are what make these tracks something outstanding. (Mini-Review)
13 // Fading Signal // Long ago and far away
[Safe Inside Records]
While not as impeccable as their first EP, "Long ago and far away" is easily among my favourite HC-records of the year. It probably is an important output for the band going forward, as they proved maturity in terms of songwriting and lyrics as well as adding a solid dose of versatility. (Review)
12 // Aspartame // ep
[Larry Records]
I absolutely love the sentiment of that three songs. Everything about ASPARTAME's debut-EP feels like it's directly from the heart and the production is just perfect on top of that. If you love Mid-90s-Emocore in the vein of STILL LIFE, I HATE MYSELF or MERCHANT SHIPS than this band will get your eyes wet. (Review)
11 // Demersal // Death Routines
[Zegema Beach Records, etc.]
I did like DEMERSAL's debut album from last year, but something was missing to make it really special. They found this little "something" with "Death Routines", as this is a level above in all areas. When it comes to Metal-tinged Screamo/Emoviolence it didn't get any better in 2021. This eleven and a half minutes are packed and tight as fuck, especially the final sequence, with "Decorate the End" clearing the way for "Worry", is breathtaking!
10 // Stand Still // A Practice in Patience
[New Morality Zine]
9 // Mt. Oriander // This is not the Way I wanted you to find out
[Count your Lucky Stars]
Considering that these songs were written and recorded in a month only, right before touring preparations, this is fantastic. Exactly speaking, the best Midwest-Emo I've heard all year. Keith Latinen (of EMPIRE! EMPIRE!-fame) is a genius of Emo, that is able to pull amazing and touching songs out of his sleeve. The more intimated atmosphere of his solo-recordings is something I really dig and the lyrics are once again unmatched. (Review)
8 // Eyecandy // Supernova
[DIY]
This mysterious collective rocked my world, while discovering their debut-EP. With their noisy, flamboyant Post-Hardcore they settle somewhere inbetween underground legends like UNWOUND, DRIVE LIKE JEHU & SONIC YOUTH. Aesthetically this is flawless, while the production is rough around the edges, but in a good kind of way. On top of that the songwriting is full of cool ideas! (Mini-Review)
7 // En Garde // Debtors
[Count your Lucky Stars]
6 // Infinity Land // Honest Comedy
[The Ghost is Clear Records]
This is the kind of noisy, sludgy Hardcore that doesn't pretend to be crazy, but rather IS just crazy. In fact, the most craziest, insane, wacky, lunatic, fucked up thing I've heard all year. The vocals are kind of reminiscent of KISS IT GOODBYE-era Tim Singer, but combined with creepy and silly, yet absolutely thrilling and original lyrics. These stories are full of imagination and disgust, and will keep you on the edge of your seat like a good Slasher-movie. These guys are fascinatingly nuts!
5 // Bone Idl // Bone Idl
[Brassneck Records]
Without a doubt, this is my favourite Pop-/Melodic-Punk-record of the year. The band out of South Wales calls to mind bands like DILLINGER FOUR, NONE MORE BLACK or THE LAWRENCE ARMS, which is as good as it can get! Their EP is the perfect blend of catchy, irresistible hooks and a fucking likeable, quite british snottiness. That's timeless, if done right, and here it's done to near perfection. (Review)
4 // Teamonade // Borderline
[Counter Intuitive Records]
This took some time to grow on me, probably cause it's a bit out of the box. It fits on Counter Intuitive, cause it's emotional, in fact some of the most emotional stuff I've heard all year, yet this is not your classic Emo-affair. TEAMONADE incorporate elements of Math-Rock and arty Indie-Rock into their style, even rapping a verse in one song, while a track like "Invisible" offers straight up Dream-Pop. The songwriting is original and the lyrics are where it's really at, as their charismatic lead singer Osi deals intimately with her Borderline-diagnosis throughout the record. It may seem somewhat far-fetched, but the feeling of this kinda reminds me of early MODEST MOUSE. (Mini-Review)
3 // Fading Signal // Nothing feels good anymore
[DIY]
2 // Militarie Gun // All Roads lead to the Gun
[Alternatives Records]
At the beginning of 2020, MILITARIE GUN started out as Ian Shelton's solo project, but then quickly grew to a full band. Probably when Ian realised how much potential this has. It's quite awesome, that a guy who usually screams for a Powerviolence-combo delivers the most outstanding vocal performance in all of 2021... at least in my books. Ian has such a charming, energetic, unique bark, and writes on top of that some of the most original, personal and honest lyrics I've heard in a long time. In terms of music, it's hard to define, but lies somewhere in the middle of Post-Punk, Post-Hardcore, Indie-Rock and Melodic HC/Punk. The songs usually are around two and a half minutes long, still they don't feel rushed or uncomplete. This is another fresh approach, I'm totally down with. What should I say but, I fucking love this project?!
1 // Militarie Gun // All Roads lead to the Gun II
[Convulse Records]
Yeah, what else should I say? More betterness from these lovely people. Both of their EPs are pretty up to par, but this drew me in faster, with it's more upbeat, more aggressive nature. I love both openers to death, but "II" has the better closer. It's nitpicking though, as either record is basically flawless. If they would've merged these two EPs together, this would be my AOTY, no doubt. Something I haven't mentioned before, being busy worshipping Ian, was the talent of his bandmates. The melodies are excellent and the rhythm section is tight as hell, especially their drummer is one of the best I've heard in a long time. MILITARIE GUN are definitely my finding of the year and I urgently hope, hat they have a loooooooooooooong way to go!
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