Not just the name of a particularly grating Cameron Crowe film from 1992, "Singles" is now also a blog, or column, or "blogumn" where we explore 45s, internet-only singles and EPs if we feel inclined.

We’re starting things off with a MadeLoud artist Anna Thomas, a teenager from Dallas, Texas. Her first release is entitled Splash of Red, a five-track EP.

According to her bio, Thomas really got her start when she began collaborating with Matt Gaskins, her coach and collaborator. Gaskins graduated from the University of North Texas’ fabled music department, and the instrumentation on Splash of Red is consistently smooth and rewarding. Touches of organ and a tense, funky guitar line on “Break Apart” recalls the more bumping output of Maroon 5, and “Little Red” is a jazzy number that grooves without losing the focus of its central Red Riding Hood metaphor in the process. “My Circle” is also summery, from the bright, enhanced snare beats to the clear vocals. To give the EP some added variety, the track “Trace of Light” plumbs balladry without treading into sap.

For such a young performer, Thomas executes remarkable restraint and care. Her voice is clean and kind, but not overzealous or over-processed (kudos to the production). It’s easy, as a teenager, to be blissfully overzealous and emotional (I have my high school poetry to prove it) but Thomas’ EP is anything but. Thomas has the time and skill to exercise her songwriting talents, and we’re looking forward to hearing more from the young performer in the future.