Kevin Bronson on December 8th, 2020

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Catching up with three artists who released EPs last Friday: Kaya Stewart, Opus Vitae and King Mala …

KAYA STEWART, “Miss Kaya”

The 20-year-old got into the family business (she’s the daughter of Eurhythmics’ Dave Stewart, and half-siblings Sam and Django have done notable things) at an early age, issuing her first EP at age 15 and her debut album at 16. Released Friday, “Miss Kaya” shows the kind of growth you’d expect from an artist who spent the past few years honing her craft, especially in her supple vocals. The EP leads with “California” (though not the version that features Childish Major), a song whose origins go back to the 2018 collaboration between Stewart and Jamie Lidell, LIYA. It was Lidell who produced all the songs on the EP, except “I Hate Falling in Love,” which was made with Miles Jackson and Sam Stewart.

OPUS VITAE, “The 405”

On the heels of releasing his debut album “Gramercy” in September, Banah Winn — aka Opus Vitae — returned Friday with a new five-song EP, “The 405.” He says, “It’s all about L.A., it’s meta, its truthful, it’s trippy, it’s a little wild, it’s honest …” And that’s some truth in advertising. Mixing punchy indie-rock guitars and percussion with swooning synths, the genre-mashing artist has given us something to enjoy while stuck in a traffic jam in the Sepulveda Pass.

KING MALA, “Gemini”

Highlighted by the single “Sugarblind,” King Mala — aka El Paso-born, L.A.-based Areli Castro — released her debut EP. Like most in the flood of aspirational alt-pop stars, Castro’s confessionals come with nifty production (by Rob Auerbach, with John Greenham mastering) and plenty of moxie, even if the songs fall back on being potty-mouthed in their quest for being “bold” and “unapologetic.” The EP gets its title from the songwriter’s two personas, she explains, one empowered and one vulnerable. In inhabiting each, King Mala connects emotionally.