Often overshadowed by its long play counterpart, the extended play is a crucial format always worth championing. It’s on EPs where young artists first make forays into the scene and where established acts can experiment with new sounds. An EP release may not always make the same impact as a full-length, but as proven time and time again, some of an act’s best work can be found on this humble little format. And with that in mind, here are the top 20 EPs of 2025.
20: HaemoGOBLIN – CODA
London based trio haemoGOBLIN (great band name, right?) present a four track introduction to their world. Featuring drummer Lawrence formerly of now dead Cassels, alongside guitarist/vocalist Luke Wainwright and bassist Nickrad Sherkat, they have hit the ground running with this EP. Calling on influences like Gilla Band and Black Midi, this is jaunty, noisey, post punk goodness. – Adam Vallely
19: Crowquill – Crowquill
Raw, emotional, technical and above all, exciting, Leeds very own Crowquill are channelling the techier, more chaotic metalcore sound of the early 00’s with a modern edge. From the majestic out of nowhere melodic chorus on ‘The Family Faucet’ to the eyeball twisting opening of ‘Ecorche’, this is a stunning first release that surely heralds the coming of a new force to be reckoned with in this countries ever exciting ‘core scene. – Chris Earl
18: Speedial – Light of the Late Night
A staple of the more experimental side of the London post-punk/post-rock scene, Light of the Late Night washes over you in a much grander way than you’d expect from just a four piece band. ‘Tourist’ immediately shows why Speedial are a gem, with the saxophone melodies, drum chops and dual vocals being much more than the sum of their parts. ‘Sharing Oxygen’ blossoms into one of the most beautiful crescendos of the year, with the melodies echoing round past the end of the EP’s runtime. Getting a recording of one of the most enthralling live acts in London is a huge ask, and Light of the Late Night is a beautiful introduction to the recorded output of Speedial. – Mia Thunderska
17: Turn of Phrase – Turn of Phrase
London/Brighton melodic punk crew Turn of Phrase burst onto the scene at the beginning of the year, with one of the catchiest releases of the year. ‘December’ is the kind of melodic hardcore ripper that’ll have you singing the guitars as you leave the venue, and the mid tempo catharsis of ‘No Time For Now’ is the kind of song that will capture a whole scene to shout the words back. ‘Finish Just To Begin’ absolutely rips, and the next release from Turn of Phrase is surely going to rip just as hard. Catch them on tour or at outbreak next year while you can still get in the room. – Mia Thunderska
16: Mastiff – For All The Dead Dreams
2025 was a fantastic year for the Kingston-upon-Hull band, Mastiff, who released their very anticipated EP For All the Dead Dreams back in October. Their sludge/doom sounds got heavier, gloomier, but also faster, giving a sense of urgency and despair to their music – and if you have ever seen them live, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Seventeen minutes or so of non-stop unfiltered rage, starting with the opener ‘Soliloquy’, which could have easily been a Bolt Thrower outtake, whilst ‘A Story Behind Every Light’ and ‘Decimated Graves’ feel more like moshing anthems for all death metal and hardcore fans. Everything works there; it is cohesive and as brutal as it can get. – Nessie Spencer
15: Since Torino – a long night down to calgary
As we finally leave 2025 to the annuals of time and watch 2026 rushing up to meet us over the horizon, it’s vital to quietly reflect and ponder on the events that we’ve all encountered. Not that such a thing is easy though; modern living is pretty much synonymous with being perpetually busy at this point. Thankfully, a long night down to calgary essentially demands a period of stillness. A curious yet enchanting mix of emo, shoegaze and the slightest touch of country, here, Since Torino present a wonderful EP that’s still, cosy and quietly melancholic. It’s the sound of nestling up against the windowsill during a winter sunset, the sound of staring at the Christmas tree silently wondering where where the years have gone. A wonderful and pacifying listen. – Dan Hillier
14: Windowhead – Terrestrials
The Brighton scene might have been a bit quieter than usual, thanks for the emergence of Eastbourne-based doom bands but it would have been a crime not to talk about the brilliant EP Terrestrials by Windowhead. Only five tracks but just enough to showcase their incredible knack for blending post-rock, shoegaze and emo into a sound that feels both fresh and familiar at the same time. The way they play with intricate arrangements and mix clean and harsh vocals from the two Shredding Joes (Arnold and Potts) makes this EP a true delight to listen to. You can definitely hear the influence of great bands like At The Drive-In, Glassjaw, Thursday, and Thrice in their music, and it adds so much to their charm. This unique fusion gives Windowhead a sound that’s all their own, taking listeners on an unforgettable ride that you definitely won’t want to miss – Nessie Spencer
13: Adebisi Shank – This Is The Second EP of a Band Called Adebisi Shank
Adebisi Shank returning for a handful of shows this summer was one surprise. Them actually releasing new music was another thing entirely. The first release from the Irish math rockers in 11 years, whilst This Is The Second EP of a Band Called Adebisi Shank is more or less what it says on the tin, this EP is more than just a standard record. Instead, it’s a return to the golden days where life wasn’t dictated by stress and anxiety. A daftly silly record filled with nowt but chemistry, whimsy and the kind of spirited adolescent energy that defined the UK and Irish math rock scene of old, This Is The Second EP… feels like an outpouring of a decade’s worth of momentum and a release that directly counters the misery that has become synonymous with modern living. The world may be a dark place, but at least it’s a little bit lighter with these mad bastards back.
12: Killing Me Softly – To Forever Fall Through God’s Safety Net
Incredibly reminiscent of Petitioning The Empty Sky by the legendary Converge, To Forever Fall Through God’s Safety Net by Killing Me Softly is a stunningly emotional record. With heart on sleeve vocals and lyrics underpinned with a fraught, fight or flight inducing musical foundation, the Leeds crew have made the bleak beautiful, with the standout track ‘Forgotten’ being one of the best metalcore tracks released in the last few years. – Chris Earl
11: male//gaze – Too Late Now
Self-styled ‘extreme pop’ outfit male//gaze are an interesting prospect. Tagged as for fans of The Armed, Foxing and Holy Fawn, they less take influence from those bands as have sonics that should appeal to fans of experimentation and music that refuses to stagnate. Morphing between shoegaze, dreampop and even flourishes of hardcore fury, their latest EP Too Late Now shows a band secure in themselves and a desire to push musical boundaries. From the soft opener ‘Falling’ to the unrelenting battering of ‘Slaymaxxing’, male//gaze channel a kaleidoscope of sounds without losing sight of themselves. – Will Marshall
10: Dream Drop – blackcastle Pt.1.
Bridging the gap between an immersive fanciful stronghold and the gravitational pull of emo-centric weird core theatrics; the Gothenburg Alternative Metal outfit Dream Drop, edge ever closer to the true essence of their name, as they journey through energetic fragility and mercilessly honest nostalgia for their latest era’s introductory extended play – blackcastle Pt.1. Serving up some lone-star dissolution nestled in a perfectly balanced production; blackcastle delivers lo-fi comfort vibes while retaining the bands crisp clear Alt Rock/Metal/Post-Hardcore sensibilities, providing the perfect instrumental hessian sack for lead singer Joar Westerlund’s emotional helter skelter like lyrical explorations. With news of a part 2 coming in early 2026, we expect nothing but great things out of Dream Drop’s criminally underrated, sonically expansive inner world. – Bennie Osborne
9: Pleiades – If Your Roots Run Deep You Can’t Fear The Wind
Manchester based post-hardcore quintet Pleiades have kept themselves busy in the two years since their debut album Affinity Within, popping up on a near-constant series of live dates including their debut at ArcTanGent Festival and shows with Puppy, As Living Arrows and Hidden Mothers. Alongside their rigorous touring schedule the five-piece also returned to their hometowns with the ambitious four track EP If Your Roots Run Deep You Can’t Fear The Wind, exploring the confusing jumble of emotions around the towns they grew up in. While Pleiades have never been a band to stagnate musically, their latest EP really gives them license to spread their creative wings. Moments of ‘SK4/SK7 (Seek Kindness/Safe Keeping)’ build on familiar territory whereas much of the rest of the EP dedicates itself to delving deep into more complex, post-rock inspired textures alongside frontman Andy Calderbank’s ferocious screams and powerful cleans. Few bands can do as much in such a short time but If Your Roots Run Deep You Can’t Fear The Wind showcases everything Pleiades are capable of in four succinct tracks. – Rowan Bruce
8: Benzo Queen / Benzo and the Queens – Benzo and the Queens
A barely contained fistful of utter pandemonium so bonkers that Benzo Queen had to release it under a new name entirely, Benzo and the Queens is, quite frankly, borderline unlistenable. But that’s what makes it just so fantastic. Recorded in 24 hours on New Years Eve 2024 and punted into the world just a short time after, this seven track, 10 minute EP is a total ravaging of synth-speckled noise punk that successfully carries the very essence of Benzo as an entity. It’s a formless, challenging and bewildering listen yes, but one that’s so recklessly zany and fun that it’s impossible not to adore. A whirlwind of bedlam so intense it’s surprising it doesn’t trigger a bout of vertigo. – Dan Hillier
7: Long Goodbye – to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending
The standouts of the current batch of newer UK metalcore bands, Long Goodbye make music designed for cathartic expressions of sadness and rage. Blending On Broken Wings and Norma Jean into an unrelenting burst, to reconcile with death for the sake of a beautiful ending has the potential to become a release of landmark importance in the British ‘core scene. Acerbic, haunting and antagonistic in equal measure, they’re also a force to be reckoned with live and you need to catch them in small venues while you can. – Chris Earl
6: Vower – A Storm Lined With Silver
Arguably one of the most exciting bands on the rise alongside the likes of unpeople. Are Vower destined for big things? Let’s wait to see, but their music definitely deserves larger stages and audiences. Their second EP A Storm Lined With Silver already shows a depth of understanding between this seasoned musicians. Every single component in the quintet is some of the best in their individual craft, and together they build a transformer like megalodon man eating unit. Flipping from delicate moments like the intro on ‘Dawn In Me’ then tearing your guts out to unknowable power a second later with ease. All six songs are highlights and no more notes are needed. There is some magic here pulled from a special place and long may it continue. – Adam Vallely
5: The None – CARE
This quartet is past introductions now, quickly establishing themselves over the last year or so they released their second EP CARE off the back of supporting the likes of Metz amongst others. Trusting their instincts and skills and rapidly creating more chemistry than your best FIFA XI, these four tracks have continued the conversation as to why they are one of the most talked about bands in the underground right now. The rawness and energy captured in The Bookhouse Studio with producer Tom Hill is prevalent throughout. The quartet keep you hanging on with every breath and rhythm, pushing and pulling the listener, keeping you locked in. – Adam Vallely
4: Nerves – Iarmhaireacht
In Gaelic, Iarmhaireacht translates to ‘that uncanny loneliness you feel at first light.’ A curious and unpleasant sensation, but one that we’ve all no doubt experienced, either consciously or unconsciously. Ireland’s Nerves make such a feeling uncomfortably palatable with this EP. Whilst it would be somewhat correct to state this EP is a combination of post punk and noise rock motifs, to dub some genre tags on it and call it day would do this record a great disservice. No, the more fitting way to describe this record would be to call it what it is exactly what is; the sound of utter isolation and hopelessness. Directly inspired by the lack of opportunity and investment in rural Ireland and seeing your loved ones migrating to greener pastures as a result, Iarmhaireacht is a tale of despair that’s been repeated over generations and one with no conclusion in sight. A lonely, tangible and crucial listen. – Dan Hillier
3: Death Goals – Survival Is An Act Of Defiance
In a year where the rights of LGBTQ+ people have been under constant attack, Death Goals have brought the extreme underground together to remind us that we’re fighting for love and community. With guests as far reaching as London hardcore act Burner, Bristol rising stars of emoviolence Cainhurst and Philadelphia queercore pioneers The Hirs Collective, Survival Is An Act Of Defiance hammers home a timeless message of queer solidarity. Breaking free from their usual two-piece noise and violence formula, Death Goals embrace new sounds, layering their mathcore chaos with minimalist techno beats and droning soundscapes. For those frustrated at the state of the world Survival Is An Act Of Defiance provides a strong sense of belonging and for those ready to fight for the rights of marginalised groups Death Goals prove themselves ready to lead the battle cry. – Rowan Bruce
2: itoldyouiwouldeatyou – We Were Having Such a Nice Day
Math rock and emo collective itoldyouiwouldeatyou return with their first project since their 2018 debut Oh Dearism, and their long-awaited November release We Were Having Such a Nice Day is nothing short of spectacular. ‘Wonderful Life, Pt. 1’ is a glorious display of rejecting traditional masculinity in a world that celebrates aggressive values and embracing your queer identity, ‘50,000’ is a powerful introduction to the EP and has undeniably relatable themes of having to walk away from a situation either romantic or platonic, that no longer serves you whilst still having feelings of anger, guilt, and a sense of vulnerability. Laden with subtle guitar riffs that are still unmistakably twinkly, emotive group vocals, and the sheer amount of musicianship that each member of the group displays. Please don’t make it another seven years until the next release. – Ez Luscombe
The EP of the Year: Ethel Cain – Perverts
Pop stars have already started using releases outside the typical album structure to drop increasingly weird, contradictory music to the rest of their canon, and they would not have been doing it without the bombshell that was Perverts to start the year. A brooding drone, ambient and post rock release that enthralls you from beginning to end. Solitary pre release single ‘Punish’ is one of the few vocalled tracks, and alongside ‘housofpsychoticwomn’ are fan favourite from SoundCloud demos. ‘Vacillator’, one of the few tracks that has appeared in live sets and is another highlight; ethereal and damning, and like the rest of the album it envelops you in itself entirely. EP closer ‘Amber Waves’ is the biggest hint of the transition of sound between Preacher’s Daughter and Willoughby Tucker, I Will Always Love You, but the overall production of Perverts leaves more gaps to be filled with the ambient texture that is imbued in every song. The ripples of this release will be felt by artists in and adjacent to the sphere or pop music with the way she confidently changed the way that side releases and genre experimentation works for them and yes, it is an EP because she says it’s an EP. – Mia Thunderska