By Juan Zambrano
Mind Games, the latest single from Montreal singer-songwriter Meggie Lennon, is a warm, breezy reminder that good can always rise from a bad situation, if one is willing to turn things around.
Dream pop meets psychedelia is perhaps the best way to describe the atmosphere throughout Mind Games. The track’s soundscape is warm and ethereal, inviting listeners to chill out and go with the occasionally trippy flow. This tone is achieved throughout by slightly distorted, warm electric guitars and a Beatle-esque rhythm section of bass and drums. Joining this instrumental trifecta at the chorus, are hypnotic acoustic guitars, which bear a striking resemblance to those heard on the similarly ethereal Across the Universe. Unlike that song, however, acoustic guitars are not the backbone of Mind Games, but an expertly used power-up that boosts the track to the next level at exactly the right moments.
The crowning jewel of Mind Games’ composition, however, is Lennon’s soothing vocal performance. Like the music around her, Lennon’s dulcet tones float gently across every syllable and along with the ethereal instrumentation, transforms Mind Games into a heavenly sonic experience.
The most impressive aspect of Mind Games, however, is how its ethereal melody simultaneously reflects the opposite tones of its two verses and chorus. The first verse is somber and reflective, telling of Lennon’s despondence after what is implied to have been a psychologically exhausting experience. With this context, the instrumentation can be heard as an embodiment of the carelessness Lennon feels for the world around her, in light of her dilemma. Conversely, the second verse and chorus are optimistic and peaceful, showing Lennon in a much more relaxed state of mind.
The melody doesn’t change, but the more uplifting lyrical context means the music plays more as a reassuring reminder that no matter how bad things get, everything will work out in the end. This is made clear in the chorus, as music and lyrics echo triumphantly, with Lennon chanting, “You’ve kept the best part away from us but I’ll keep going,” in determination. It’s this empowering message along with the ethereal and versatile instrumental and vocal arrangements that ultimately make Mind Games one of the year’s standout summer tracks.
It is fitting that Mind Games is about making something good from a bad situation, seeing as the track was born from such circumstances. Meggie Lennon wrote Mind Games after a promising musical opportunity unexpectedly fell through. The track was then brought to life thanks to Lennon’s backing band, particularly guitarist/producer Samuel Gemme.
Lennon and Gemme are currently teaming up with producer Jules Henry to work on Lennon’s next project. The EP, titled Sounds From Your Lips, is due later in 2020 and if Mind Games is any indication, then listeners are in for a blissful sonic experience.
Stream “Mind Games” on Spotify, Apple Music and more.
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