EPs are a lot like romantic interests in more ways than one. They can be a lot of fun, or completely forgettable. They lead to further exploration of an artist, or give a longtime fan one little reason to question their commitment. They aren’t as committal as full-lengths, yet are far more appealing than a mere single or B-Side.

On their latest effort, Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner let a stranger take control of their ship for the very first time. Fellow Baltimore resident Chris Freeland is listed as a producer on My Neighbor/My Creator, but fans of the band have no reason to worry.

The record picks up where “Tattoo” from last year’s LP – The Knot – left off. Its third track – “My Creator” –has the same optimistic, joyful sound, and the rest of the EP’s tracks take on the same, sunny vibe.

From the opening bars of “My Neighbor”, it’s clear that Stack and Wasner did not come to depress. Supported by a galloping bass line and swelling organ, Wasner quickly reminds listeners what made them fall in love with the band in the first place. Without taking anything away from Stack, her voice is the reason Wye Oak is memorable. She allows it to get a little lost in the wash of guitars, pulsing bass, and drums on “Emmylou”, but the song’s kinetic energy makes it all worth it. A spirited harmonica part even takes the two-and-a-half minute song into its premature end.

Despite it’s title, the final track – “I Hope You Die” – is the most hopeful on the five-song set. Wasner’s spotless vocal is right up front over a distorted, yet hushed, piano and a twinkling guitar part. The sustained bass notes suggest that something huge is coming, but instead of cymbal crashes or big guitars, we’re given a saxophone part and what sounds like a fluttering clarinet instead. It’s a pleasant surprise and the perfect way to end the EP.

Freeman lets his brother Mickey in on the action on what plays like a bonus track – a reworking of The Knot’s “That I Do”. The Baltimore based MC leaves Wasner’s solid vocal intact, but gives the song’s original riff an industrial facelift. The reworked version sounds ten times bigger, has a darker, rough tone, and could almost upend the original version in quality if it wasn’t for a few forgettable bars of pointless rapping.

Despite its brevity, My Neighbor/My Creator is a pleasant 17-minutes in the backseat with a great band and easily warrants another date.