On her single, “Just My Friend,” Jordan Patterson channels the wildly creative soul of Fiona Apple. The song has a piano part that’s loose, loping, and exploratory, and Patterson’s vocals follow that lead as she sings about emotional tumult that comes with the possibility of leveling up a friendship to something messily romantic (“There’s times where you made it known/ We moved on, new lovers in tow/ But I hear what you say about me/ Could that mean more”). It is full, wild, and pointed, more of a confident challenge than anything else. Patterson might call another artist to mind with this one, but it’s clear that this is also a prime piece of personal expression. It’s a thrilling track.

Patterson’s new EP, Songs from a Valley Girl, is scheduled for release in July.