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The Hard Way Around The Sun EP

by MEI

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night2seesaw1
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1.
See Us 03:15
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Pretty girl there are worlds beneath your feet ‘Cause when you landed here there were stars that lit your streets And your deeper hues were confused by ugly tweets How could they see? Under artificial beams No, don’t ever feel like nothing They don't, they don’t see us They don't, they don’t see us We gon’ make them see us We gon’ make them see us See us No don’t ever change nothing They don't, they don’t see us They don't, they don’t see us We gon’ make them see us We gon’ make them see us See us Clever girl there are pearls that line your mind And every single one is so rare and hard to find Though it’s so tough to grow Far from home be brave and mine They are blind Not for long ‘cause it’s your time No, don’t ever feel like nothing They don't, they don’t see us They don't, they don’t see us We gon’ make them see us We gon’ make them see us See us No don’t ever change nothing They don't, they don’t see us They don't, they don’t see us We gon’ make them see us We gon’ make them see us See us Oh they gon’ see us Maybe they thought we could never find a way to be us If they kept spilling the blood of our sons we’d never free us If Black women are the colour of dirt they’re dirt so why believe us? Protect us, nothing affects us We’re born grown, no need for seed sown Stay anxious-prone, we’re fed up! Tired of being overlooked and underbooked Read your fake arse posts and do what you undertook To all the real ones we see you The world is shook so let’s shake until they look Pull a chair up Next to Solange ‘cause we all can mange and make our demands So someone tell them only pay in advance And know that we ain’t here by chance In a glance you could see our stance But you choose to be blind Nevermind the shine will penetrate your mind Leave your hate behind There ain’t a choice this time!
2.
Death to the Old Self 03:31
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Sleep I put her to rest so deep Peel all the layers and lay her far at sea Swim back to shore and assure that I am free Little did she know I’m taller than I seem Weep shed a tear for me Place all her flowers on our hearse for all to see Let it be known I’ve outgrown a childhood fantasy Little did she know things ain’t all it seems The time’s here and there’s no tears Say the last farewell Death to the old self Nothing to fear The time’s here and there’s no tears The last farewell Death to the old self The new one appears Don’t wear black to the funeral I’m glad she’s gone I’m glad she won’t be back to back all my minerals Stifle my syllables And even when I fight to succeed she laughs at my miracles What you’re a queen now really Nothing’s changed so don’t get your hopes You don’t fit here just ask your girl Milly Flow what flow they gassed you up clearly This life can come at you fast you weren’t ready to go But I’m sorry your time here is done So when we put you in the earth No tears for me ‘cause my stories begun All of you present let ‘em know From now on I’m not the one damage undone To few move through trauma Fight a disorder we’ve overcome The time’s here and there’s no tears Say the last farewell Death to the old self Nothing to fear The time’s here and there’s no tears The last farewell Death to the old self The new one appears Oooh ooh ooh (repeat) Sleep I put her to rest so deep Sleep sleep (repeat) Today we lay her anxiety, depression and fear Amongst the sedimentary rock Every deposit of pain and trauma fragments Cement to form her limestone headstone It reads God can take what the enemy meant to destroy you with And turn it for your good As it sits above an empty grave Her time was not yet and yet her time is now Now there’s a bite to the wind and a glare to the sun Challenging her to shine back There’s a satisfaction to the rain patter Because something matters again Even the matter we are made from
3.
Let Dusk Welcome Me 03:19
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The day and night meet As if they have much to converse about I wonder if they know if I’ll get out And if I do Let dusk welcome me, please The day and night weeps The curtains are drawn almost permanently It safer ‘cause who knows when I might sleep And if I breathe Let dusk welcome me.. please Sit ‘til I reminisce then I write a wish on the page Bliss far away from this Further than a walk to the stage Fist gripping promises That one day our story will change So I hope I can stay I’ve got much more to say Orange and pink light Hit through my soul right This was worth the fight Heaven celebrates tonight Orange and pink light Hit through my soul right This was worth the fight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight The day and leaps As if all my footsteps become their dance The sun dips its head in a sweet romance Clear the floor So dusk welcomes me.. please Sit ‘til I reminisce then I write a wish on the page Bliss far away from this Further than a walk to the stage Fist gripping promises That one day our story will change So I hope I can stay I’ve got much more to say Orange and pink light Hit through my soul right This was worth the fight Heaven celebrates tonight Orange and pink light Hit through my soul right This was worth the fight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight Heaven celebrates tonight
4.
Write to You 03:03
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5.
Happy Man 04:16
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If I squint my eyes harder I can see our smiles by the water I can see our feet at the border And banging out a tune round the corner When I close my eyes it’s harder You’re laughing at the table with my father You’re running down the street with our daughter Making jokes about the names we nearly called her I reminisce and I can admit Nothing we did could stop it ending like this There’s nothing we could do and it’s alright There’s no words we could have changed it’s alright What we want just ain’t the same It’s alright, alright, alright There’s nothing we could do and it’s alright There’s no words we could have changed it’s alright What we want just ain’t the same It’s alright, alright, alright I know every smell, every warm touch Even though you’ve kept your distance since we’re locked up I know every face on your FaceTime ‘Cause you change them to your music and your waistline I know all your hurt and you know mine You convinced me that no matter what we’ll be fine I know it’s still true with a change of plan All I ever want for you is to be happy man All I want There’s nothing we could do and it’s alright There’s no words we could have changed it’s alright What we want just ain’t the same It’s alright, alright, alright There’s nothing we could do and it’s alright There’s no words we could have changed it’s alright What we want just ain’t the same It’s alright, alright, alright It’s okay There nothing we could do And there’s nothing we could say It’s okay, it’s okay It’s alright, it’s alright There’s nothing we could do And there’s nothing we could say It’s okay, it’s okay It’s okay, it’s okay It’s alright, it’s alright It’s okay, it’s okay Ohh ohh.. It’s okay, it’s okay Walk away, walk away Will you walk away Will you walk away It’s okay

about

Acknowledging the tempestuous times we've all had over the past year or so, London-based artist MEI reveals her new EP The Hard Way Around The Sun. After recovering from Covid-19, coming to terms with the breakdown of a relationship and also battling through racial injustices, MEI might have just had one of the rockiest years out of us all.

Following the release of "See Us" and The Independent-approved "Happy Man", both of which received high praise from a variety of publications, The Hard Way Around The Sun delivers us three more stellar tracks that showcase MEI's inherent talents. On "Death To The Old Self", MEI's distinct blend of R&B and rap is fused together to create a track that embraces rebirth, while "Write To You" provides a slow-burning melody that soothes listeners from the offset.

Yet the final single "Let Dusk Welcome Me" offers a moment of reflection by weaving fluidity with tones of peaceful thinking. With the addition of a woozy horn arrangement by Cassie Kinoshi, the track eases into an amalgamation of jazz to create a track that draws on an array of inspirations.

credits

released August 6, 2020

Written by MEI & A Good Friend
Produced by MEI & A Good Friend
Horn Arrangement: Cassie Kinoshi
Keys: Teresa Origone
Drums: Jaleesa Gemerts
Horns: Cassie Kinoshi, Sheila Maurice-Grey, Richie Seivwright
Backing Vocals: Sans Soucis, Lydia Clowes
Mix engineer: Magnus Thomson
Engineers: Mike Collins, Al Harle, Jorge Arango
Mastering Engineer: John Webber

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MEI London, UK

MEI, who Complex hail an 'R&B Wonder’, is a South London vocalist, songwriter, producer and bassist with a unique blend of R&B, alternative and electronic elements combined with soul-baring lyrics and raps. MEI has crafted a distinctive sonic world that develops with each release, showcasing her commitment to growth and discovery. ... more

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