The latest EP from ultra-talented singer/songwriter Lily Meola offers a fresh take on her heartfelt pop songs with more of an Americana and country vibe to them on Heartbreak Rodeo. Leading up to the release of her latest record, Meola showcased her depth as an artist with several key singles like the vulnerable break-up anthem “Without You,” the self-reflection found on “Over the Moon,” and the personal song about her mother who passed away on “Postcards to Heaven.” Heartbreak Rodeo leans heavily into the country genre and still has that unique charm that Meola commands in her warm vocal presence. Lily Meola shared, “Each song I write is like a therapy session for me. Making music is the way I respond to whatever is happening to me, and my goal is to help people feel a little less alone, whether they’re going through a breakup or grieving the loss of someone.” Living through her personal experiences offers Meola a unique perspective on the world, and yet she manages to make each song universally appealing and relatable.
Lead single, “Cowboy,” starts the record off on the right foot with a casually strummed acoustic guitar before adding in some additional sounds and instrumentation as Meola provides a captivating vocal performance throughout. The second verse offers some insight on the inspiration of the track as she croons, “Am I still the only lover / The only lover on your mind / Was it me or was it just a stereotypical kind of lie / You were made for wild and blue / And I was made for missing you / And I’ll never love another like you.” Meola has an extremely creative mind and she is able to pull just the right emotions out of her lyrics.
”Gasoline” follows with a similar approach to the songwriting by leaning into the acoustic guitar as she ponders “If only hearts could run on gasoline.” It’s a charming way of looking at heartache, and her vulnerable/soft vocal performance hits the intended tone for the song. “Mar Vista” has a classic country twang to it as Meola sings, “I left my heart in Mar Vista / Another universe and I’d still be with ya / Earth keeps shaking and we’re out of time / Living on a fault line, nobody’s fault but mine.” The clever lyrical wordplay in the chorus continues to highlight Meola’s growth as a songwriter.
The title track features a more upbeat tempo and a memorable chorus of, “I know you want what you can’t have / Once you’re gone, you don’t get to come back / You had me and chose to leave what was gonna be the greatest show on dirt / You know this ain’t my first / Heartbreak rodeo.” Meola uses her personal heartache to pen relatable material that others can identify themselves in the same situation, and possibly feel a little less alone. This connection to others cannot be understated.
The closer of “I Need You” offers up several simple similes in the heartfelt chorus of, “Doesn’t matter where we’re going / I need you / Like the planets need their space / And I need you / Like the ocean needs the waves / Like a cowboy needs a horse to ride / And birds need songs to sing / Oh it’s true / I need you.” Meola weaves a tangled web of connections, personal relationships, and the themes of hoping for better days ahead on Heartbreak Rodeo. While some of the songs on this EP seem a little similar in their construction, her talent is undeniable, and she continues to impress on her latest record.