Best Records and EPs of the year 2016... so far

Half of the year 2016 is about to say bye. So, it's time to honour one of the Blog's favourite traditions: gather the 25 best records and EPs of the year so far (until half June). As we did in previous years, the albums and EPs are listed in alphabetical order (because the complete, final list ranking them arrives when the year ends). Hoping you enjoy these great albums/EPs* as much as we do! Stay tuned, our favourite songs of this six months of music coming next!

Algo nos va a pasar- Espíritusanto
Breaker EP- Phosphene
Canciones Populistas EP- Nacho Vegas
Crystal Cafe- Witching Waves
Cut and Paste- Oscar
Everybody’s Dying to Meet You- Flowers
Fading Lines- Amber Arcades
Fall Forever- Fear of Men
La Puerta Giratoria- Invisible Harvey
LNZNDRF- LNZNDRF
Lost Time- Tacocat
Luck or Magic- Britta Phillips
Minor Victories- Minor Victories
Next Thing- Frankie Cosmos
Postal- Chicharrón
Psiconáutica- Linda Guilala
Psychopomp- Japanese Breakfast
Red Returns EP- Desario
Resort- Tuff Love
Séance for Something EP- Pale Lights
Some Other Places- California Snow Story
Split Milk- Pete Astor
Up to Anything- The Goon Sax
WALL EP- WALL
We. the Pigs EP- We. the Pigs

Click on the years to check our 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 selections!

* Note I: Currently listening Mitski's "Puberty 2" and Margaret Glaspy's "Emotions and Maths" which seem fated to be on the list.

** Note II: Technically speaking, 'Canciones Populares' by Nacho Vegas came out digitally on December 2015. But as the physical release arrived this past January, when I heard it for the first time, it has been included (love it too much not do it).

Discoverer 130: new indie findings

Back with our discoverer series! Three late finds gems of past year we had to share with you to open 2016 as it deserves. Sure you'll enjoy!

Postal Blue. Hailing from Brasilia, Brazil, today I'm happy to bring you the story of Adriano do Couto, the man behind one of the best records of 2015. The project started out in 1998, as a full-fledged quartet on search of the perfect pop tune (Byrds, Smiths, Go-Betweens). American label Drive-In Records quickly reached them to release their self-titled debut EP released in 2000, with our dear Shelflife Records coming second to release sophomore EP 'Weather Sensitive' two years later. In 2004 arrived debut LP 'International Breeze', with the band shifting their sound from guitar indiepop to a subdued and adventurous bossanova-infused folk pop. Another EP, the moody and sung in Portuguese 'Road to happiness' came next in 2006 on Canadian label Humblebee Recordings. But then the band entered into a hiatus that became final, so singer and lead songwriter Adriano, keeping Postal Blue's name, released a 3" single on Cloudberry Records in 2008 and a 7" as part of the Dufflecoat / Jigsaw Singles Club co-release. Finally, at the end of past November, after 11 years, the band's sophomore album 'Of Love & Other Affections' arrived via Jigsaw. Gorgeous indiepop from start to finish, dreamiest, melancholic, elegant, classic, always arresting. Been a long way, but the reward is priceless.

Lusts. Let me introduce you the Stone brothers, James and Andy, hailing from Leicester, UK. Couldn't find the exact date when the band formed, but it seems very very recent (2014 probably) Debut single 'Temptation' arrived past March, followed by ‘Mouthwash’ and their full album 'Iluminations', out in October via 1965 Records. And what a debut! Irresistibly catchy and expansive indie-rock soaked in reverb and noise, channeling shoegaze, post-punk and bits of psychdelia and krautrock, but also some of the inmediacy of britpop straightforward hymns. Immediately enjoyable and fun. Band to follow closely this New Year.

Tuff Love. And we end in Glasgow, Scotland to meet Julie Eisenstein (guitar, vocals) and Suse Bear (bass, vocals) plus live drummer Iain Stewart (also a member of The Phantom Band). They debuted in May 2014 with 'Junk' EP via Lost Map Records, embarking afterwards on Festivals and European tour where they had the chance of supporting reformed shoegaze legends Ride. Adored by media, in November they offered another EP, 'Dross', followed by the split 7" single with Lazy Day on Record Store Day 2015. And since past November we can also enjoy their third EP, 'Dregs', five wonderful tunes of jangly surf-pop, dreamy and sunny and a DIY ethos. What's not to love?

Best EPs of the Year 2015

After yesterday's list with our favourite concerts of 2015 list, now it's time for the EPs which, in this Blog's view, it's a regular source of music gems that doesn't get the attention it deserves. So, in order to make our humble contribution and highlight this wonderful format, here you have, in our opinion, the best 15 EPs of the year (no singles, 3 to 6 songs). Hope you enjoy!


15. High & Vibrate- The Persian Leaps 
14. CRUSHED- PONY
13. Lemonseeds- Morels
12. Dregs- Tuff Love
11. Headcase- Day Wave

10. Nevski- Nevski

9. When you need me the most- Alpaca Sports

8. Montaña, guía y milagros- Victoria Ford

7. Seconds- Seconds*

6. Bodyheat- Bodyheat

5. Murder Shoes - Murder Shoes

4. I don't want to let you down - Sharon Van Etten

3. Roygbiv- Flyying Colours

2. Over Easy - Diet Cig

1. Wild- Young Romance

*(Technically not an EP but a split LP with band Joya, but considering both bands have six songs, and the release consists of two separate EPs, each with their own artwork, we included Seconds on the list)

Want to check the best EPs of 2014? Click here
Or the ones selected in 2013? Click here
And 2012? Click here

The "Records List" coming shortly!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 78

This playlist was ready to be published on Saturday morning, but after what happened in Paris we didn't feel it was the right thing to do. But when you think about it, terrorists, as it always happens with anyone whose only argument is violence, are afraid of culture, of art, of music, of literature. Because culture is about discovering, learning, knowing and acquiring the tools to form your own thoughts, tastes, choices. Nothing more scary for the ignorants, the ones who only speak the language of violence. So here's our TOP TEN Jukebox series. Hope you enjoy the music... and seek for more. Music never stops. All these songs are also available at our Soundcloud. Thank you.

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists
Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40 
Week 41  Week 42 Week 43  Week 44   Week 45
Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  
Week 51   Week 52  Week 53  Week 54    Week 55  
Week 56   Week 57   Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 
Week 61   Week 62   Week 63  Week 64  Week 65 
Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70 
Week 71   Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75
Week 76   Week 77