No Love For The Middle Child — Run For Cover EP (7/3/20)
This is the second three-song EP released this year from this emerging alt-pop artist/producer out of LA, and he already has a third one out that I haven’t even listened to yet. Andrew Meoray is the name of the man behind this project.
I was hooked with the songs he displayed on the first EP. Apparently he’s produced for rappers like Meek Mill and PnB Rock (who?), and you can definitely feel the hip-hop influence in the production of his own music. It makes for a perfect blend of hip-hop arrangements with elements of alternative and emo, delivering lush textures and heart-tugging melodies.
He continues in that same vein with this group of three but this EP still gives us an added layer to his brand of alternative pop.
“Right Back” opens with tight guitar work before the 808 beat comes into play and really gets the groove going. It’s the classic, “you broke my heart, I don’t want your love anymore” type of song, Meoray singing, “I don’t want your love, I give it right back.”
The song slaps hard. His half-rapped, half-sung verses go right with the music in walking the line between hip-hop and alternative. And there’s a rock edge to the track with some wicked guitar licks towards the end.
“Wasting Time” was put forth as the single complete with an impressive music video. I actually enjoy the other two songs a little bit more but there is certainly an explosive quality to this one. You get more of the sweet guitar licks right off the bat and the song as a whole is much more pop-leaning than the previous. It’s actually breaching into EDM territory with the bassy breakdowns throughout, but that electric guitar steals the spotlight.
We get the most off-brand song of the group with the closing title track. It’s an acoustic piece that swells with synth-strings and holds a bit of a folksy appeal. He’s got a wonderfully full voice that in the mix of all the heavily produced tracks kind of sounds auto-tuned (maybe it is, what do I know). With just the acoustic guitar, his voice definitely sounds more natural while still holding all that strength.
The song gradually rises from the bare acoustics to a fuller sound as the bass takes over, and when the final chorus pulls through it creates a pretty powerful mood. Meoray is singing to “you” throughout the song and it has a way of making it feel rather personal. It seems to be a bit of a look at the contrast between childhood dreams and the realities of life as we age. He’s not really providing any answers but he’s right there with you.
I’ve heard around 7 songs in total from this guy so far this year and each one has been a total hit. Hard to say where his songs will land when it comes to putting together my Top 100 of the year but there’s no doubt he’s right up there with the best (new) discoveries of my 2020.
