In this time of instant downloads and decreasing album sales, it seems as though the EP format has had a new lease of life. A way for an artist to get a nice snapshot of their material out to the masses without having to commit the resources to a full album. For more established artists, it acts as a stop-gap medium, a way to appease fans prior to the next album proper, or a chance to experiment a bit more.

As the album releases have gone a bit stale in the run up to Christmas, I thought I'd take the opportunity to appraise a few EP's that have been gaining some press and are currently, if not soon to be, on the selves of your local record shop.

The Listen EP from Get Well Soon carries on their initial good work. Their debut album seemed to pass me by unfortunately, but this EP seems to show a renewed vigor. Taking plenty of cues from the heady past of British indie, their wordy titles bring to mind The Smiths at their most expansive, whilst their music finds the middle ground between Radiohead's rock past and the more grand, orchestral periods of the Verve. It all fly's by at an impressive pace and actually makes me want to check out their debut. Job done then...

Something a bit more curious is the Old v New EP from Sleeping States. Now signed to Bella Union, this five-track offering is a bit of an oddity. Some new recordings of tracks from his previous DIY effort There The Open Spaces don't really add much more to it, other than sounding a little more accomplished. His Morrissey-esque vocals and make shift band come across as a more bedroom-ridden Of Montreal with a twist of The Wave Pictures eye for the common man. This very much feels like a stop-gap until Bella Union bank roll his next album, but for those wanting an introduction, here's a good place to start.

Whatever happened to Christmas music? It seemed to reach its peak in the 80's, but now the novelty Christmas single is something we all dread, where's the serious seasonal music gone? Well, Glasvegas are trying to right that wrong with their EP A Snowflake Fell (And it Felt Like A Kiss). Those sceptical readers might suggest it's an attempt for the label to flog more records, as their debut album is being re-released with this extra disc... But this is more like it - choirs of young children singing, church bells and "Christmas" in the lyrics. There is something rather nice about this. It could very well be the soundtrack to the next Tim Burton Nightmare before Christmas movie, but that just adds to it's other-worldness. Sure, 'Fuck You It's Over' won't be sung around the decorated tree on the 25th, but who cares.

Last, but by no means least, is the debut release from Alessi's Ark. The Horse EP is short, sharp and ever so bittersweet. I first came across the title track, all 1 minute and 50 seconds of it on the radio. It seemed perfect. It never outstays its welcome, it's just there, then it's gone. It feels like a modern nursery rhyme. Oddly light, floating freely in a haze of gentle guitars and slightly odd vocals, reminding me of Emiliana Torrini. I've recently been re-watching The New Avengers on BBC Four, and 'Neighbour's Birds' sounds like something from one of their odd mystery's. This is much more Brothers Grimm than the traditional child-like stories of the title track. All in all, this is wonderfully weird EP. It actually makes me feel like Alice peering into the Looking Glass; you recognise the sight and yet there's something off kilter about the whole experience.

Myspace: Get Well Soon | Glasvegas | Sleeping States | Alessi's Ark