Sometimes, you may be too meek to get your point across. Or, perhaps, you’re so amped up that the message gets lost in the shuffle. However, indie pop artist myah’s single, “The Lobby,” strikes an emotional balance of casual assertiveness by underscoring some of its more biting, lyrical barbs with a grittier edge.
Introduced by pirouetting acoustics, a voicemail message calls out “Hi, I miss you,” ominously punctuated by a chattering, nefarious chuckle. A short time thereafter, the vibe evolves from wistful to brimming with resentment. Countering the aforementioned, headspace invading salvo, “make you tremble with my scary soft voice” leads into myah’s own retort of “since you’re so dead inside, maybe then you’ll come alive.” Altogether, it’s a prologue to a song that is simmering with emotional grievances, but doesn’t boil over with scalding aggression.
However, “The Lobby” becomes subtly emphatic by implementing grinding guitar riffs during the main chorus and various interludes. As part of the latter, this arises in tandem with how myah describes being the recipient of an emotional cold shoulder and the level of nonchalance associated with this relationship. In addition, the wiry “why not” interlude is a dose of deadpan vocal defiance that bestows someone with their flowers for being the least nurturing partner imaginable.
Altogether, there’s a measured amount of intensity within “The Lobby” thanks to its muted, yet raucous undertones. By introducing hints of raggedy chords, this track scuffs up its pop veneer albeit ever so slightly. All in all, “The Lobby” melodically evolves from its humble, comfortable pop origins.
Written by Travis Boyer
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