Seraphina Lotkhamnga on December 13th, 2012

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By Seraphina Lotkhamnga

There is no doubt that L.A. bands had a fruitful 2012. Not only did Buzz Bands LA taste-test more than 140 local albums [our list is coming Friday], we had more than plenty to choose from when it came to EPs. Normally, I would stick to top albums and top songs for year-end lists, but I found myself playing a surprising amount of EPs (in their entirety) during the last 12 months – which doesn’t happen often. EPs may be released simply as previews of coming attractions, but many of these short releases warranted as much attention as any other full-length released this year.

So here are my thoughts on some of my favorite local EPs from 2012, with some honorable mentions after #1:

10. Evan Voytas, “Feel Me” (Dovecote)

After flying off to London, the falsetto crooner returned to the States with news that he was not only signed to Dovecote but that he had enough songs written for a full-length. Although “Feel Me” is only five of those tracks, the short collection of songs ranged from woozy space jams like “Tomorrow Night We’ll Go Anywhere” to the funky “Can’t Let Anybody Know Who You Are.” It’s reverb-y synth-pop heaven for R&B lovers.

||| Previously: “You Don’t Even Know Where It’s At”, “Can’t Let Anybody Know Who You Are”, Interview

9. Haim, “Forever” (self-released)

Haim has already released two singles since this EP, but the title track offered the sisters’ best track released to date. Sibling harmonies, rhythmic textures and R&B undertones not only made “Forever” one of the best songs of the summer, but perhaps, the year.  Let’s just say NME finally picked indie darlings who may stick around after the buzz.

||| Previously: “Forever”, its video, “Don’t Save Me”, its video

08. Harlan, “1984” (self-released)

Harlan couldn’t have picked a better name for this EP. Hit play and the next 12 minutes turns in to a sexy time with Harlan’s smooth vocals, retro beats and dark grooves. Need something to spin after Rufus & Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody?” Sounding like it came straight out of the studio in the ’80s, this EP (especially the title track) is up next.

||| Previously: “Dancing on the Bed” ”“ video, “Dirty Laundry ”“ Don Henley Cover”, “1984”

07. FIDLAR, “Don’t Try” (Mom + Pop)

FIDLAR (which stands for F**k It Dog, Life’s A Risk, for those haven’t followed the skate-punks’ persistent campaign on the blog world) makes music that stands for everything my parents feared while bringing me up. These guys followed up their fantastic “DIYDUI” EP with even better songs that make me want to chain smoke, break a window then finish a 12-pack while riding my bike into the night.

||| Previously: “No Waves”, “Oh” video, “AA” video, “Cheap Beer” and its video

06. Michael Davis With Lions, “Bandages” (self-released)

Yes, we’ve all heard the phrase “Love hurts,” but Michael Davis’ use of the word “bandages” in relation to “real love” is too simple and sweet to be sappy. Songs like the Ryan Adams-like “Take Me Somewhere I Know” and the upbeat chorus in “Devastated” make this the perfect EP to spin when you’re feeling vulnerable but not hopeless. His full-length is out in January.

||| Previously: “Real Love (Bandages)” and its video

05. Rhye, “The Fall” (Innovative Leisure)

When Rhye first came on to the scene with their identities still secret, the music was beautiful enough to get everybody buzzing about who this group was. When the duo of Milosh and Robin Hannibal revealed themselves to be the masterminds behind gorgeous songs “The Feel” and “Open,” the flawless vocals and feather-light electronic arrangements all made sense.

||| Previously: “The Fall” and “Open”

04. Dum Dum Girls, “End of Daze” (Sub Pop)

Whether or not you’re down with Kristen Gundred’s propensity for channeling Chrissy Hynde, when something is done well, that’s all that matters. Dum Dum Girls followed up their “Only in Dreams” LP with the excellent collection of songs which has brought out their hazy dream-pop chops even more. They’ve come a long way from their girl-group ditties like “Jail La La.”

||| Previously: “Coming Down” video, “Lord Knows”

03. IO Echo, “IO Echo” (IAMSOUND)

IO Echo used to be dark. Really dark. But their darkness has taken on multiple shades over the last couple of years. Moving away from their pitch-black, haunting rock, Ioanna Gika and Leopold Ross have floated towards heavy shoegaze with a Southeast Asian influence. Songs like “Where the Lillies Die” and “Ministry of Love” are still haunting, but now there’s a beauty that envelops.

||| Previously: “When the Lillies Die”, its video, “Eye Father” video, “Stalemate” video”

02. The Neighbourhood, “I’m Sorry…” (self-released)

Once “Female Robbery” hit the internet, labels immediately began to search for the identities behind the Neighbourhood. Spelling their name the British way and having first gained popularity in the U.K., it was easy to assume these lads writing seductive indie-R&B were, indeed, from the other side of the pond. Now we know Jesse Rutherford and company, of Newbury Park, are responsible for that track and even more coaxing jams like their hit “Sweater Weather” and the slick “Wires.” Columbia Records, who won the bidding war, will be offering their forthcoming full-length.

||| Previously: “Female Robbery”, its video “Sweater Weather”, “Wires”, “Let it Go” video

01. Meg Myers, “Daughter in the Choir” (self-released)

It was surprising to find out Meg Myers is actually a petite little thing, the way her voice wails on songs like “Curbstomp” and “Monster.” Sounding like a younger pop version of Fiona Apple and Dolores O’Riordan combined, Myers is another beauty whose angst and vulnerability have filled a void that the L.A. scene has been missing for a little bit.

||| Previously: “Poison”, “After You”, “Tennessee ft. Doctor Rosen Rosen”, its video, “Curbstomp”

Honorable Mentions: