When listening to The Silver Lake Chorus’ “From the Snow Tipped Hills”, one cannot help but think of Bon Iver. Maybe it’s the wilderness’ comforting solitude of the song’s namesake, or it could be the hushed fragility in the vocal timbre that argues in favor of the idea that true strength lies in the delicate. The harmonic layers of “From the Snow Tipped Hills” sound as if Justin Vernon himself could chime in at any minute. Of course, that connection isn’t a stretch, as Vernon in fact wrote the song for the Chorus’ use.

The Los Angeles-based choir is comprised of 25 singers under the direction of Mikey Wells, and the Wreckage EP is a two-song taste of things to come from their 2013 full-length. Accompanying the Justin Vernon-penned track is the EP’s title track, written by New Pornographer A.C. Newman. “Wreckage” boisterously soars along to a percussive accompaniment that packs the punch expected from Newman’s band, and stands in stark contrast to the sparse, hymnal core of the first track.

Is an EP with just two tracks really an EP? When they stand in such polar opposition as they do on Wreckage, yes. Vernon and Newman each pared their respective style down to its essence in the composition, and The Silver Lake Chorus present their vision in a faithful, enjoyable light. But with such a small taste like this, the necessary question remains: Will the upcoming album feature this much enjoyable reinvention, or was this a sampling that outdoes the remainder?

Essential Tracks: N/A