When I complied the list of the 25 best albums of 2017, there were a few EPs I was seriously considering as well, but I ended up going exclusively with full length albums. So, here is a list of my top 5 EPs. Feel free to protest the list in your comments.
Saffiyah Khan faces down EDL protester Ian Crossland during a demonstration in Birmingham. Photo inspired Billy Bragg to write the song Saffiyah Smiles off of his Bridges Not Walls EP. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA Images
5: Bridges Not Walls – Billy Bragg
The veteran singer/songwriter and activist continues to contribute to the cannon of socially conscious tunes. On his latest six song EP he offer insights on Trump’s America (“Why We Build The Wall) and his native England in the wake of Brexit. “Full English Brexit” is an insightful examination of the attitudes of the aging English population which contributed to Brexit. Many of these same attitudes contributed to MAGA and the election of Trump.
4: American Sounds – La Neve
La Neve is the solo project of Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, who is best known as the guitarist for critically acclaimed punk band Downtown Boys (whose album Cost of Living made it to #2 on the list of best protest albums). The electro-pop stylings of American Sounds is a departure musically from the Downtown Boys, but lyrically it still has the same political focus. On Bandcamp, DeFrancesco describes the tunes as “all aimed at destroying the right wing power structure that has always run the USA and has come to pose a more intense threat than ever in 2017.”
3: Thin Blue Border Vol 1 – Ryan Harvey, Kareem Samara, & Shireen Lilith
Ryan Harvey is an indie artist and activist who co-founded Firebrand Records with Tom Morello. On this EP he is supported by two kindred spirits in Samara and Lilith that contribute to the poignant social statements. Harvey and his collaborators marries the DIY punk ethos with the Woody Guthrie folk tradition. The EP includes “To Keep You Silent ” dealing with the efforts to try to silence Chelsea Manning (the song is also featured on the Hugs for Chelsea benefit album, which is available through Bandcamp). The EP also deals with the plight of immigrants and refugees (“Omar”) and police intimidation at political rallies (“See It Through”) . The songs are about hopeful resistance and staying defiant regardless of any obstacles.
2: Part-Time Woman – Vivek Shraya & Queer Songbook Orchestra
Part-Time Woman is a stunning collection of tunes which makes profound statements concerning gender politics. These are statements are both timely and necessary. On the EP’s Bandcamp page the following mission statement is posted:
“PART-TIME WOMAN is a question and a critique: What defines woman?
A critique of the labour expected in order to be seen and valued as feminine.
For anyone who has been misgendered, made to feel not feminine enough, or struggled to find home in a language that resists complexity.”
1: Paradise – ANOHNI
This is the companion EP to ANOHNI’s excellent 2016 album HOPELESSNESS. The songs are a powerful critique of the ongoing ecocide and the pending doom if things continue to go unchecked. It is an indictment on Christians, businessman and politicians who have no qualms over destroying the Earth for the sake of consumerism and the illusion of security. Even though the tone at time is somber, there is still a sense of hopefulness (“And work on it, and work together/And make the world a better place to live” – “She Doesn’t Mourn Her Loss”, featuring spoken word from activist Nola Ngalangka Taylor).