Smörgåsbord: Lucy Dacus displays her range with new EP “2019” graphic by Jennifer Ren Indie rock singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus has been steadily climbing her way into the spotlight. Her “2019” EP dropped November 8, capitalizing on her streak of popularity. Last year her sophomore record “Historian” hit #39 on the UK Independent Albums chart. She also debuted the band boygenius with fellow indie musicians Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker to widespread acclaim. Most recently, on the same night of her EP release, Dacus opened for alternative pop star Lana Del Rey’s live show at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, and was invited to perform her song “Night Shift” during the show itself. In such a time when critics and fans alike are singing Dacus’ praises, her latest work only compounds her relevancy. “2019” is a collection of three original tracks and four covers, each themed around holidays or other days of the year significant to Dacus. Over the course of its namesake year, Dacus released almost every song close in date to its respective inspiration. The exception was the EP-exclusive “Fool’s Gold,” a melancholy tribute to New Year’s. She started off this project back in February, releasing a cover of the romantic classic “La Vie Smörgåsbord: Lucy Dacus displays her range with new EP “2019” En Rose” for Valentine’s Day. This song has been performed and recorded by many since its original release in 1947, but Dacus’ take is unique to her style and sound. She utilizes the guitar-driven indie rock that she built her name off to turn the popular cover into a track that could have been an original. Dacus also included her own rendition of the Bruce Springsteen classic “Dancing In The Dark” for the rock icon’s birthday. Having grown up on her father’s love for Springsteen, with vivid memories of her father playing his songs for her as a child, Springsteen’s influence on Dacus’ music is clear through the lyrics and style of the instruments in her work. Dacus even said in a press release that “his lyricism is embedded in [her] own songwriting inextricably at this point,” and the cover serves as a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to him. The stunning original “My Mother & I”, fittingly released for Mother’s Day, is one of the highlights. It’s a stripped- down acoustic guitar ballad in honor of mothers both biological and adoptive. In the track, Dacus’ voice is isolated so it’s pushed to the front of the already-spare instrumentals. Dacus may not have the most unique voice, but its charm and skill is captivating in its own right. Although not a full album, “2019” still showcases her diverse capabilities as a musician, providing something to nibble on before record number three..