Tyler Meacham - sad girl summer EP (2024) Hi-Res

‘sad girl summer’ opens with “hell of a friend.” It takes a second for this song to really come to life, but when it does, it’s fantastic. This song in particular seems to be a self-reflection of sorts about being a “hell of a friend.” I feel like this is something that we can all relate to, but don’t really talk about much. We all know when we are leaving friends high and dry, yet there’s something in us that doesn’t stop us from doing so. Having at least the awareness to recognize what you’re doing is half the battle, and presenting that admission in such a beautiful and catchy way, as Tyler has in this song, is perfect. So this song goes out to my friends. The ones I abandon when life gets busy and things get in the way.

Where were you in “october ’98”. I honestly couldn’t tell you, but I was probably dressed up as a nine-year-old ballerina or gymnast trick-or-treating with my little brother. Although I don’t remember 1998 vividly, as it was so long ago, it was surely a simpler time for me, being so young and innocent. That’s the feeling that Tyler captures in this song. It’s whimsical and beautiful. It reads like a childhood, but with a mature look back on it. It’s soft and sweet, sensitive and lovely, but there’s also a subtle sense of heartbreak throughout this song that really drives home the feeling of innocence. If you want to get caught in your feelings but not go down a dark and twisty road, and instead think back to the sunshine and smiles that came with a younger age, this is the song for you.

sad girl summer’ ends with “something in the wine.” Although I would have loved for this album to end on a triumphant, feel-good song, I appreciate the beauty that this song possesses. This is a warm and cozy kind of song. That’s not to say that the other tracks on this album aren’t, but there’s just something particularly cozy about this final track. It feels like winter, tastes like your favorite cup of tea, and reads like a beautiful love song. Although vulnerability can be felt throughout this album, I feel like you really get to see Tyler’s heart in this final song, which will surely leave you wanting so much more from this amazing songstress.

Tl;dr – ‘sad girl summer’ is not a super high-octane listen by any means, but it’s gorgeous. It’s raw, yet somehow splits the difference between being whimsical and all-too-real in a perfect way. This album pairs nicely with a nice glass of wine and a cozy fire as much as it would pair perfectly with a summer night in a field watching the stars float by. Let Tyler’s voice sink in, but let her words hit you right in the soul.