Sonic Masala's Fave EPs of 2010!

So the duty of Sonic Masala's second 'best of' list falls to me, and its late. No change there. As the title points out I've got the daunting task of picking out our fave EPs for 2010 and there are a hell of a lot to pick from. Now as we all know EP stands for extended play - no shit Sherlock - and as such a format extended play seems to have stretched its criteria somewhat. There really seems so to be no set rules these days about what is an EP and what's not, from the number of songs to the size or even type of format, is all up for grabs. So our list below has taken some liberties, after all isn't a mini album or a limited 10" an extended play?

So with this in mind, and so much awesomeness to choose from, the list below was really rather tough to put together, I'm sure I'll have committed some heinous crimes and omitted some real gems, if so please comment and correct. So without further ado, and in no particular order, here's the EPs and other extended plays that have got SM all worked up into an extended frenzy this year...

Sonic Masala's Fave EPs of 2010...

LA Vampires and Zola Jesus - LA Vampires meets Zola Jesus

Double Dagger - Masks

Not Cool - Rugged Raw

Gum Takes Tooth - 5" floppy disk demo

Factory Floor - Untitled

Forest Swords - Dagger Paths

Pop. 1280 - The Grid

Zola Jesus - Stridulum

Running - Running

Islet - Celebrate This Place

When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth - Peaced

Zorch - Zut Alore!

The Austerity Program - Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn

See Jesus Talking On Water!

Oh, the banshee/siren/beauty/devil that is Zola Jesus, how you have bewitched me with your spectral Gothic (note the big G?) breathings, screeching aural attacks and your brooding, seductive forms. You have me in thrall...

And now for three bits of topsy-turvy news. The first is that Souterain Transmissions has re-released her last EP Stridulum and added three new tracks, expounding the thematic content and thus creating an album length release, conveniently entitled Stridulum II, upon which you can find 'Sea Talk'. Its a European-only release. This song isn't necessarily 'new' - it can be found on her Tsar Bomba EP - but its been spit-shined and streamlined, and you can listen to the result below...

Secondly, Fucked Up are releasing the new section of their 12" series, Year Of The Ox, in September, which promises to feature a Zola Jesus appearance! Crazy but true. If you don't believe me, check out the streamed track here. (NB - this release deserves a post of its very own...BT)

And finally, the woman also known as Nika Rosa Danilova is plaguing London on September 1st at Camp Basement. Why does that date sound familiar, you ask? Because Women are playing the same night, that's why! Gah! Well, before you submerge yourself in the tepid bathtub water and wield that razor, she has been announced as the support act for Fever Rray - which for me has freed me up no end! What a Saturday morning, eh? Now to head off to 1234...

Zola Jesus - Sea Talk

Actual witchcraft, Fact!

"Fuck me this is dark! Holy shit this is good!" The most articulate opinion I've ever held of a record but I defy you to not agree after you listen to the LA Vampires & Zola Jesus E.P.

The side project of Nika Rosa Danilova aka Zola Jesus and Pocahaunted's Amanda Brown, it is gothic, psych witchcraft incarnate and the collaboration between Wisconsin gothic vibe and LA's tropical drone psychedelia is truly spellbinding. Brooding drone drenched beats, echoing rich vocals, its got it all. Think a trapped Sister Ray grinding you in dub-heavy voodoo hell and you've just started to get close.

Last night I was thinking that Not Not Fun have been quiet lately, oh how wrong I was 'cos they may have just put out the best E.P of the year. The LA Vampires & Zola Jesus EP is out on Not Not Fun as a 12 inch, limited to 600. I know I use the words 'depth' and 'dark' a lot but this slice of black wax has redefined the meaning of those words. You need this!

LA Vampires & Zola Jesus -Bone Is Bloodstone