THE BACKSTORY:
Turbulent times require a turbulent soundtrack – and young Sarah Meth is clearly willing to provide it. At a time when musicians have become increasingly engaged with political issues, from Black Lives Matter to Boris and Brexit, London-based Sarah Meth has emerged as one of Britain’s most potent exponents of protest song.
Released earlier this month, her latest single ‘Dead End World’ explores the experiences of living in Tory Britain and the hardships faced by millions on a daily basis. Sung with power and precision, it’s also a savage critique of government – how world leaders build and sustain their power through barefaced mendacity.
Raised in north London, 20-year-old Sarah Meth has never been shy of expressing her opinions in song. A lifelong fan of Nina Simone, she’s always been a firm subscriber to Simone’s famous quote: “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times”. Meth’s music certainly captures that philosophy, marrying thought-provoking lyrics with soaring melodies and inventive production. At her most epic, she brings to mind Rufus Wainwright’s baroque pop majesty; elsewhere, her quieter, more reflective moments channel Lana Del Rey’s crepuscular noir-pop.
After receiving rave reviews for her debut single ‘What Does It Mean’ earlier this year, Meth is now gearing up for her first EP release, Dead End World, a beguiling collection of songs tackling everything from female identity to UK politics. Boris Johnson and co – you’ve been warned.
KEY TRACK: ‘Dead End World’. Written three years ago after she attended an anti-racism protest in London, this stirring piano epic seems just as relevant for today’s tumultuous sociopolitical climate.
FOR FANS OF: Rufus Wainwright, Lana Del Rey, Broadcast, Angel Olsen.
