Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner has self-effacingly described Flock of Dimes as a “vanity project of questionable skill and intent,” a characterization that vastly undersells the dynamic, well-crafted music she performed at the Black Cat Backstage on Thursday night. Delivering an exceptional 50-minute set, the Baltimore-based singer/guitarist charmed and impressed a near-capacity crowd, showcasing a distinctively individualistic aesthetic that proved almost as compelling as that of her highly-touted main band.

After enthusiastically cheering Other Colors’ engaging opening set from the front of the room, Wasner briefly introduced her project — having previously shared just a few tracks on her SoundCloud — before launching into her opening song, an entrancing stunner that built up electrifying momentum behind hypnotic cascades of effects-processed guitar riffs. Despite the solo set-up, Wasner was able to generate a surprisingly dense wall of sound, cueing layers of loops, beats, and samples from a MacBook to craft coolly electronic backdrops to her expansive compositions.

Slower keyboard-based songs like the ethereal “Icy” pulsed with controlled intensity, spotlighting Wasner’s evocatively resonant voice, while more strident, guitar-driven cuts like “Prison Bride” brandished her always-formidable fretwork. While traces of Wye Oak’s signature noise-folk sounds were discernable at times, the Flock of Dimes material was decidedly more eclectic, evincing hints of synth-pop, electronica, and industrial along with closer-afield indie-rock timbers. Wasner capped the evening with a flourish, belting out a rousing electro-soul tune that she identified as a sort of homage to Swedish pop diva Robyn, a few fans joining her on stage for an impromptu, set-closing dance party.