By Charlie Maybee
This Alchemical Records article is read by the author to provide a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum.
Tyler Meacham, RVA-based alternative-pop musician, is ushering in a moment of growth and contemplation with her new single “Better Than I Used to Be.” With the feel-good vibes of old school folk-rock, this song celebrates the opportunity for self-improvement and learning to grow from our mistakes.
Before the chorus, we get a look into what character trait Meacham is actively working on for herself as she sings, “Just when I start to settle down / on certain solid ground / the worst of me comes out.” Whether it’s an aversion to a routine, complacency, or repetition, it’s clear that calm waters can still stir up anxieties about whether this place our protagonist has found herself is truly what she wants in life.
Then as the chorus finally arrives, she points out that “It’ll take some time to sink in,” reminding us that change is often more incremental than we would like, but that she’s ready to make space for it. She recognizes that there is more work to be done but continues to mark the small victories. A message that is more resonant than ever: self-awareness is key.
Against the mix of acoustic and electric guitars, the swell of the vocals both musically and lyrically feels uplifting. Just as the lyrics encourage us to take the time we need to figure things out, this slow jam also takes its time to hit that encouraging feeling just right.
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Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
