The greatest struggle of the modern musician is finding their place in the music world. Some don’t feel comfortable settling down into one corner and instead drift between genres. Sophie Meiers has been doing just that since they released their first non-collaborative single, “Something About You” in 2018.
Starting their career as a hip-hop musician, Meiers has developed their own alternative sound over recent years. Songs like “Don’t Be Scared” (2018) and “come ovr” (2019) saw Meiers exploring the indie side of things. They resided in this genre for much of their recent material. Meier’s catalog was largely leaning towards pop until now.
November 2021 marks the release of Meier’s new single entitled “mutt.” Right out of the gate we are met with a heavy tremolo guitar. Meiers’ preceding music predominantly featured synthesized instruments. This immediately creates a harder sound than what a Meiers fan will be accustomed to. All the instruments from here on in are very grounded. The drums with the punching snare, the heavy bass and the synthesizer are all parts of that classic rock sound.
The elephant in the room is Meier’s vocals. Even with all the changeups in the instruments, the vocals stick out the most. “mutt” features Meiers’ using a much throatier vocal tone. Their tone is usually much softer and more playful. Here their tone is jagged and uneasy. Some parts even sound a little flat. I believe this was done intentionally but it was surprising, nonetheless.
The chorus “I will beg like a dog, anything you want, I am chained like a mutt” is not something you hear every day. Admittedly I was taken aback by this lyric. The vocals themselves sound very childish, literally like a pleading child. There is a sense of a lack of confidence which plays into the aesthetic of the song. Meiers is portraying an inexperienced character.
This song is not going to be for everyone. One of the things that makes Meiers such an interesting artist is their willingness to test the waters and be ambitious with adapting different styles within their own. “mutt” is a brilliant name for one of their songs as it is surely meant to represent Meiers themselves. Like a mutt, they do not belong to one specific breed. As a musician, they do not belong to one specific genre.
My first listen of “mutt” left me confused and frankly a little disturbed. Oddly enough, I think that was a good thing. Being pushed out of your comfort zone is not only important for a musician but also for a listener. Everyday, I put on the same playlists and listen to the same songs. Occasionally, I need a kick in the pants, it lends perspective.
Though it was an acquired taste for me, “mutt” is unquestionably a bold move and highly respectable for that. The musicianship is very good, and the lyrics tell an interesting albeit unsettling story. It offers something new for long-time fans of Meiers while being a liaison for fans of other genres. It is by being experimental that all artists find their footing, and I am sure Meiers will be no exception.
