Best EPs of 2012

EPs seem to have grown in popularity this year, as several artists released fun-sized albums. Here are a few of our favorites. What were yours?

Honorable Mentions that barely missed the Top 5: Punch Brothers, Ahoy; Brent Cobb, Brent Cobb; Dierks Bentley, Country & Cold Cans; Julie Roberts, Covered; Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers, Old Gold

 

5. Stetson and Cia – Stetson and Cia

Stetson Adkisson and Cia Cherryholmes deliver strong songwriting on tracks like “Dead Easy Mine and “It’s Been Too Long,” their warm harmonies and banjo-and-guitar arrangements making this one of the most enjoyable EPs of 2012. Here’s hoping that the future brings us more music from the now married duo. –Juli Thanki

 

4. Emily West – I Hate You, I Love You

Built on a foundation of a lost record deal, relationship turmoil and emotional angst, Emily West’s six-song EP is one of the best releases of the year. She stretches her vocal talents and the country genre’s boundaries to incorporate the influence of Burt Bacharach on her music, but it’s the autobiographical storytelling that steals the show. –Ken Morton, Jr.

 

3. The Mavericks – Suited Up and Ready

Though they’d been apart for nearly a decade, The Mavericks sound as good as they ever did on Suited Up and Ready. Raul Malo’s golden voice leads the band through five tunes–ranging from the heartbreaking (“That’s Not My Name”) to the sultry (“Come Unto Me”)–that leave us anticipating the release of their full-length record, In Time, in late January. –JT

 

2. Lori McKenna – Heart Shaped Bullet Hole

Nashville insiders have known for many years is that singer-songwriter McKenna is one of the best in her craft. On this EP, six very strong songs explore the good, the bad and the ugly of putting your heart out there for another. –KMJ

 

1. Elizabeth Cook – Gospel Plow

Cook’s got a ribald sense of humor, evident on her radio show and songs like “Yes to Booty” and “Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman,” but this EP shows her spiritual side as Cook covers several of her favorite gospel songs, including a moving version of the Velvet Underground’s “Jesus.” –JT