Over the past few years, I’ve broadened my taste in music. While I used to strictly listen to rap, I’ve developed an appreciation for indie, alternative, and sub-genres of the two. So, when I was recommended to give Meg Donnelly’s newest EP, dying art, a listen, I came in with open arms. Well, open ears. A few songs into her EP, I was exposed to a sprinkle of all of the genres I’ve come to love, recently. Donnelly is a blend of pop and R&B, with influences from jazz, funk, and soul. Her style is described as having an “enthusiastic lilt.” She also incorporates retro and 80s vibes into some of her tracks. Her vocals are “poppy”, which almost deterred me considering a lot of the newer pop artists repeat the same formula in terms of delivery and sound.
Meg Donnelly’s debut EP dying art is a sharp, nine‑track introspective and genre-fluid demonstration. dying art lands as a confident, curated introduction. It’s emotionally honest, stylistically varied, and polished. It balances introspective songwriting, Y2K-influenced pop, and assertive self-expression. While occasionally feeling like an EP with multiple lead singles rather than a cohesive narrative, it’s a compelling first chapter that hints at bigger ambitions ahead.
Across the EP you’ll hear soulful moments, synth-pop sparkles, and hip‑hop inflections– not just in isolated tracks but throughout. There is a smart thematic focus on identity and performance. Meg’s exploration of identity, especially how we “perform” different versions of ourselves in relationships and public life, is refreshingly self-aware. Listening to this EP made me consider how I portray myself differently in contrasting situations. Quite a freaky thought to have, but one I don’t believe most of us are aware of.
Every track on dying art feels intentional and well-produced. There’s a notable attention to detail. Whether it’s the Y2K bounce of “picky” or the moody minimalism of “strangers,” each song stands on its own while contributing to the overall vibe. The short runtime works in its favor. There’s no fluff, just a tight, engaging collection. dying art’s genre fluidity isn’t jarring. There’s a consistent emotional register that brings together the stylistic diversity. The sequencing of tracks is thoughtful. It keeps listeners engaged without feeling repetitive or chaotic.
However, there could be stronger emotional payoffs. Some tracks start with engaging ideas but don’t always build to a clear climax or emotional peak. For instance, “strangers” is emotionally raw but feels somewhat linear in its progression. A few more moments where the music swells, the vocal rises, or the lyrics cut deeper would take good tracks to great. This is less about needing “big” choruses and more about crafting satisfying moments of transformation within the song structure, so that listeners feel more resolution by the end.
Meg Donnelly’s dying art is a strong, promising debut, but she has plenty of creative room to grow. Sharpening her storytelling, deepening her lyrical and musical risk-taking, and crafting more ambitious song arcs would elevate her from rising star to a standout voice in this evolution of the pop genre. She’s clearly on the right track and these are the kinds of refinements that separate good pop artists from truly great ones.
Featured Photo Credit: Krissy Saleh