Katrina Ford spent most of her musical career as the voice of Celebration, an underappreciated trio that was light-years ahead of the curve when it came to updating and fusing post-punk, dream-pop, goth, and R&B in passionate, creative ways. Arriving five years after the band's Wounded Healer, Ford's self-titled solo debut EP is clearly descended from Celebration -- the reverent opening track, "I'm Found," echoes the group's prowess at crafting dreamy songs that don't get lost in the clouds -- but it's also very much her own work. At times, Celebration's dazzling twists and tangents threatened to overpower her voice's rumbling lows and crystalline highs. Fittingly, on Katrina Ford her vocals and words are the focus and the music provides graceful support. Ford worked on the EP with Sean Antanaitis, her creative and life partner since their high school days, and together they smooth away most of the rough edges of their previous work and add a little more restraint. A glowering blend of electro beats and serpentine guitars sets the stage for Ford to deliver the drama on "Peace Out," but the mood is more taut than cathartic. Even when she pulls back a bit, her voice is a remarkable conduit, and the enjoyment she has trying new things on Katrina Ford is palpable. Her version of pop is elegant and surprisingly fun, whether she turns woe into a singalong chorus of "whoa"s on "Woe Be Gone"'s '80s pop homage or delivers glistening synth-gaze on "Peach," which suggests what Beach House might sound like if they were joined by a choir of sirens. Meanwhile, the lightness and easy sensuality of "Go Deep" and the ecstatic, harp-embellished finale "Gleaming the Cube" feels as welcome as it is new. Any opportunity to hear her should be taken, but the new layers Katrina Ford reveals to her music makes it a particularly exciting chance to (re)discover one of indie's finest voices. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi

1		I'm Found
2		Go Deep
3		Woe Be Gone
4		Peach
5		Peace Out
6		Gleaming The Cube

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