As 2025 comes to an end, list week returns! A time where publications get together to flex how good their music tastes are, and make amends to glaring omissions that might’ve haunted them over the last twelve months. As a music blog obsessed with oranges, we’ve missed out on covering a lot of 2025’s most significant releases, so are grateful to have the opportunity to rectify that.
We’ve already revealed our favourite albums of 2025, but today we’re all about the EPs. The most humble of releases. As we focus on artists at the start of the their careers, seeing them launch their first EP is quite special, and here are 20 we feel are worth checking out.
Below is our list in alphabetical order, with links to full reviews of certain EPs. We hope you enjoy, and feel inspired to check out some of the records named. It’s been a great year for music (as always), and tomorrow we’ll be releasing our Favourite Singles of 2025, so keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for that.
DEAD GOOD MUSIC // FAVOURITE EPS OF 2025
BETTER JOY – HEADING INTO BLUE
There aren’t many artists who’ve been as busy this year as better joy. On heading into blue, the first of two EPs released this year, Bria Keely takes us on a sonic journey that moves through the heaviness of heartbreak. Underlining each track with a sense of hope that adds a lightness to them in the form of a hook or a riff that really drives them into your mind.
Check out our Peeled Back interview.
BLUSHER – RACER
If you aren’t all in on the Blusher train, RACER will make you reconsider. RACER is up there with one of the most fun EPs of the year. The trio’s brand of carefree, danceable pop is so infectious. Honestly, if “Accelerate” didn’t get you on board, then perhaps you’re a square, a dweeb or a straight up NERD.
CHEST. – ALL GOOD THINGS END
Still as loud as the first time we heard it, the debut EP from France’s chest. continues to burrow deep into our skull. The EP is a brutal onslaught of noise, and is very unforgiving when it comes to delivering that sound. But there’s also a desire to get things moving too. With a deep set of grooves embedded inside this beast that makes it move fast as much as it hits hard.
Check out our Peeled Back interview with chest.
CHLOE SLATER – LOVE ME PLEASE
Since the release of her viral track ‘24 Hours’ in 2024, Manchester-based Chloe Slater has been consistently growing. The track was a scathing look at influencer culture, which provoked mixed reactions online from those who agreed with the message and backlash from those who believed it was inauthentic. But since then, Slater has not shied away from speaking her mind, both in her music and elsewhere.
Her EP, Love Me Please, was released back in February and is a collection of, honest, thought-provoking, indie rock songs. The opener, ‘Tiny Screens’, follows a similar topic to the aforementioned ‘24 Hours’, talking about people’s desire to become famous online. ‘Fig Tree’ calls out modern beauty standards and encourages women to love themselves and live their life however they want. ‘Imposter’, the closing song, is more personal and probably her most mellow.
Throughout all 5 tracks, she is direct and unapologetic and demonstrates a remarkable talent to keep you wanting more.
(Words by Lauren P)
CLIFFORDS – SALT OF THE LEE
A band sure to make waves next year is Cliffords, but they made quite a splash with their latest EP. Salt of the Lee is a mammoth of a listen. Filled with riffs and choruses, especially “Bittersweet”, that makes it so much larger than its modest 14 minutes.
EVE BUCKLEY – SOME KIND OF SOLACE
Eve Buckley made one hell of an introduction with “Big Shot” last year, and the impact lasted right the way through to her debut EP. Some Kind of Solace rightly puts her vocals in the spotlight. Showcasing how brilliant they are, but does back it up with some Jazzy instrumentals that also come with their own set of gusto too.
THE FAMILY BATTENBERG – SPIDER ROCK FOREVER
The Family Battenberg’s Spider Rock Forever is another debut that left a mark on us. Sonically it has all the tools to grab you immediately, and has the weirdness to make you stick around. What a blast this is.
Check out the full review of Spider Rock Forever.
FRANCES MISTRY – CONVERSATIONS WITH THOSE I LOVE
conversations with those i love is a fantastic EP. Instrumentally, it’s rich with melodies, harmonies and moods that make each song envelop one another, making it so easy to listen to. Lyrically, it brings a range of themes that are projected in a way that’s direct, but in keeping with the dreamier sound. It’s one of the most personal EPs I’ve heard this year, and is so neatly crafted.
Check out the full review of conversations with those i love.
GETDOWN SERVICES – CRUMBS 2
At a time where things seem so serious and need to be thought-provoking, sometimes you do need to listen to a song called “Vomit, Piss and Shit”. Crumbs 2 is a collection of tunes from Getdown Services, a band who stood out with an excellent performance of “Dog Dribble” at this year’s Glastonbury festival. Their lo-fi grooves and riffs comes with personality in abundance, and really couldn’t care less if you enjoy it, and I think it’s that invitation to also not give a fuck that has endeared the duo to the masses.
GLU – BOOGIE MAN
When he’s not topping the bill at festivals or in the depths of the Catacombs, QOTSA bassist Mikey Shoes does his thing as GLU. The fast-flowing, electronic side project expanded its catalogue with the excellent BOOGIE MAN.
Truly harnessing the boogie man title, the second EP from Mr. Shoes is unnervingly catchy. Chock full of grooves and beats that haunt as much as dance, there’s an insatiable quality to it that’ll have you come back for more.
QUEEN COLOBUS – DANDELION
A late addition to the end of year lists is Dandelion, from Queen Colobus. Its a mind-melting listen that brings horns and math rock together in a way that goes beyond any form of structure – It does what it wants and does so greatly. You wouldn’t expect to hear an 8-minute epic in the form of “I Grow Wearier” after hearing the angular grooves of “Flare”, but you do, and I’m glad we do.
THE QUEEN’S HEAD – TITANIC
One of the heaviest EPs of the year. The Queen’s Head Titanic documents a forced shuffle through life. Detailing loss, grief and everything in between, it’s a brutal listen that struggles to shake the funk it’s in, and doesn’t wish to be out of it in parts.
Check out our Peeled Back interview with The Queen’s Head.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – ALIVE IN THE CATACOMBS
It wouldn’t be a Dead Good end of year list without a QOTSA mention. They took a detour from the arena-filling and festival-topping to complete something that’s existed on Josh Homme’s bucket list for a long time.
The film provided a candid insight into how it came to be, but also showed just how bad Josh’s health was at the time. Now, on the other side of it all, the performance still remains one of their most personal of their career. With a setlist that spans their career, and a feast for the most passionate of fans, these reworked versions of songs really encapsulate the unique setting in which they were played in.
MAKESHIFT ART BAR – LACKLUSTER WRITING MAKES FUNDAMENTAL READING
One of the first releases to be featured this year, and possibly the first EP we really enjoyed. Makeshift Art Bar’s Lackluster Writing… is an excellent showcase of concise, tight songwriting that splashes around in the realms of Post-Punk and Noise Rock and delivers one of the most thrilling debuts we’ve heard in a long time.
Check out the full review of Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading.
MEAGRE MARTIN – UP TO SNUFF
There’s nothing I enjoy more than a proper good, Slacker rock record and this is exactly what Meagre Martin delivered on Up To Snuff. Everything about it is great: the artwork, the music videos and the music itself is full of riffs that trudge and shamble their way through the airwaves. God, it’s good.
MOOD BORED – TOO MUCH?
Like Cliffords, we reckon Mood Bored will cause a splash next year. Their latest EP Too Much? brings nothing but riffs to the forefront. Filtering them through topics of love and heartbreak, and all the emotions and over-thinking that comes with it. Oh, the joys of love. Its a fuzzy, youthful listen that embraces the past but absolutely looks to make a statement.
NÉOMÍ – Another Year Will Pass
The newest EP from Dutch/Surinamese artist néomí shows growth in many ways. Referencing how time becomes more present as we grow older, this exploration and reflection is captured wonderfully on Another Year Will Pass. Its introspective themes move wonderfully across its six tracks, and becomes an EP you’ll undoubtedly return to.
Check out the full review of Another Year Will Pass.
SEX MASK – BODY BROKER
Body Broker is a superb EP that builds upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor. It’s weird and spooky in parts, but has a real Indie groove to it that makes it rather accessible. I can see why everyone’s raving about Sex Mask – this is great.
Check out the full review of Body Broker.
SOUTH ARCADE – PLAY!
Now that swim school have stepped into the world of albums. South Arcade are the next band who’re ready to take the plunge. They’re another act who haven’t put a foot wrong so far in their career. Bringing banger after banger with every release, and their latest EP PLAY! highlights that immensely.
Y – Y
A real nightmare for SEO purposes, but Y emerged as one of the most exciting acts of the year. Their debut, self-titled EP is a wondrous collision of styles that challenge as much as they entertain. Taking the best parts of numerous genres to create beats and grooves that could live forever in your mind. Its urgent and desperate to be heard, and we’re more than happy to listen.
Check out the full review of Y.