Having grown up on the banks of the Mississippi in Rock Island, Illinois, Lissie Maurus brings that "wide open spaces" vision and unpretentious midwestern sensibility to her new five-song EP Why You Runnin' (November 10, Fat Possum). A natural singer with a big, captivating voice - a sound that belies her diminutive frame - Lissie's music has evolved over the past few years of SoCal living, moving from standard singer-songwriter fare to recapturing the roots of her upbringing, a folksy but thoughtful melding of hymnlike chamber pop with a touch of Americana charm.

Produced by Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), Runnin' positions her sandy textured voice in a spacious, reverbed setting surrounded by chiming guitars, pulsing rhythms and, on the lovely, soulful ballad "Oh Mississippi" (recorded in London with Ed Harcourt), with simple piano chords. "Little Lovin'", a spunky modern, folk/blues workout that builds to a hand-clappin', foot-stompin' intensity, gets the disc off to a rollicking start while the sweetly harmonied "Here Before" closes the five songs on a gorgeous, ruminative note. Look for Lissie as she opens for Ray Lamontagne on his upcoming November U.S. tour. Recommended.

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Lissie - "Wedding Bells" (from the EP Why You Runnin')

Lissie - "Little Lovin'" (from the EP Why You Runnin')