We don’t just listen to music to hear stellar musicianship and sophisticated songwriting. We also listen for the expression and moods that music can invoke as it resonates with something deep inside us. For her sophomore EP entitled No Bad Days, out now on the label From Concentrate, the multi-talented artist MEI found herself drawn to the upbeat feelings of the summer season. The result is an eclectic four songs which not only showcase the London vocalist, bassist, and producer’s impressive array of talents, but also find her delivering infectiously positive energy, commensurate with the warmest time of year.
The opening song “We Ride” provides a fitting introduction to the project, which is said to be the first offering in a series relating to the changing of the seasons, inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s famous work The Four Seasons. The hard-hitting track exudes confidence and resilience in the face of adversity, encapsulated in the hooks when MEI sings the rallying cry: “We ride, we ride, we ride / and decide, decide, decide / that nothing can break us out here / no weapon can shake us out here.” The anthemic track establishes a tone of captivating music, positive energy, and a sense of strength in community.
Both “Make Your Day” and “Fall Down” are examples of songs that exude sunny vibes both in music and lyrics. The former has a subtle afrobeat flavor that pairs with some sweeping synth pads to create a breezy feel to go with MEI’s loving back and forth with rapper K4mo. The latter takes a turn toward the tropical, with a danceable beat complete with steel drums. Here she sings about perseverance and support in romance with the repeated lines: “When you fall down, fall down / I will be there.”
No Bad Days ends with a bang with the powerful track “Welcome The Royalty.” An ominous chord progression and relentless percussion set the stage for one of MEI’s most confident offerings as she delivers a unique blend of grandiosity in the hooks and unbridled fire in the verses. The song, like the EP as a whole, reflects an artist who is coming into her own and unquestionably trending upward. With swelling confidence and more projects in the works, the future is bright for MEI.
Stream or download No Bad Days here.
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