From the sound of Other Lives’ new EP, Mind the Gap, the influence has been indelible and highly beneficial.

2011’s Tamer Animals was a brilliant record and dark-horse candidate for album of the year in certain circles. So it should mean something to say that “Take Us Alive,” the starter song on Mind the Gap, is the best thing the band has ever done. It’s a deeply affecting, brilliantly crafted single that carries forward with that rich, dark, folk-pop sound of Animals’ title track and elevates it with a sauntering, almost R&B backbone. It’s the dustier cousin of Kid A.

“Dead Can” is similarly impressive and textural. Atoms for Peace (that’s Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich and more) do a stirring remix of “Tamer Animals,” and “Dustbowl” finishes strong.

Due Oct. 23, the four-track effort makes good on the promise of Animals, ensuring the group’s true junior effort no longer will see them as a little brother. —Joshua Boydston

Hey! Read This:
• Other Lives interview   
• Tamer Animals album review