BEST NEW/OLD MUSIC Mozart's Sister - "Dear Fear" EP

  Let's face it, EPs tend to be leftovers. Either that, or they're made up of one or two good songs packaged with 3-4 not-so-good songs to give the illusion of a uniform effort, even when the artist knows otherwise. Yet, there are those rare EPs with momentum better than some full lengths, and Canadian project Mozart's Sister has succeeded in producing something of this caliber.

The opening track, "Mozart's Sister", has a magnetic, dance-floor pull to it that sets the pace for the whole EP. The track opens with a chorus of Dirty Projector-like oohs and ahhs, and with a sudden pop, launches into a very simple but satisfying synth melody. Lyrics seem like they're about Maria Ann Mozart, Wolfgang's talented but far less recognized older sibling. Hannant laments how she's been pushed aside but does so to some exceedingly sunny-sounding music - and it works.

Hannant waxes soulful in "Don't Leave It To Me" which bares a pleasant resemblance to the music of Swedish electro-pop group Little Dragon. This track is a little more elaborate, as far as layers and instrumentation go. It's probably the best standalone track. Hannant shows off incredible vocal talent and masterful vibrato while belting out "Can I get on ya? can I get on yaAHH", during the chorus.

"Single Status", the EP's shortest song, starts out sounding very much like a dance track but then takes a turn for the emotional. Its twinkling synths sound like they belong on Passion Pit's debut EP, "Chunk of Change".

The airy, tropical guitar (think Vampire Weekend/Fool's Gold) on "Contentedness" will surprise listeners who have been treated, so far, to a mostly electronic performance. Hannant greets listeners during the chorus with a deep, sultry, tomboy "Hey- Hey man", throwing off her singing voice for just a moment, to add a sexy, personal touch. The song also contains some of the EP's best lyrics: "Contentedness, you can come on in but I wouldn't take my shoes off."