Wish Upon a Star, Meaghan Smith (Sire)

Meaghan's a Canadian singer-songwriter with a different bent than the typical alt-folk-pop female performer; she has a thing for the 40s that she weaves in among many other influences. This EP gives you a taste of this with her versions of three classics and her own "It Snowed," the latter a straight-up 40s homage to big-band girl singers. "Silver Bells" is the same version from the Gift-Wrapped compilation, "Christmas Time Is Here" is a more uptempo take on the "Peanuts" classic, and her "Little Drummer Boy" is an interesting take, lots of syncopation with bits of the Andrews Sisters and almost prog-rock fake-flute ensemble flourishes. She's been opening for kd laing recently, so that might be a signpost for her future trajectory.