

Barenaked Ladies’ 2023 album In Flight was among the most exuberantly eclectic releases in the Canadian alt-folk veterans’ storied career, as it veered between festival-pop bangers, synthy doodles, and tear-in-yer-beer country laments. And they seemed to enjoy working in the latter mode so much, they’ve issued this companion EP featuring acoustified versions of seven In Flight tracks. But given that this group first drew crowds busking on the streets of Toronto, they know how to elicit maximum joy out of minimal means: This version of “Lovin’ Life” may lack the fist-pumping bombast of the original, but it keeps all of its heart-racing, hand-clapping spirit. And while “One Night” gets stripped of its ’70s hard-rock-inspired riffs, this bouncy, banjo-plucked makeover is perfect for raising a little hell on a Saturday night at the honky-tonk.