There’s something quietly magnetic about “Tomato Song,” the latest single from the enigmatic force known as meka. On the surface, it may appear to be a lighthearted title, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Under its endearing name lies a piece of music with a lot to offer in terms of texture, one that simmers with emotion and lyrical potency. “Tomato Song” welcomes its listeners into a world stained with melancholy, where the days are spent saying nothing in a hurry, and all of the words feel lived in. Meka construct them layer by layer.
The song opens like a memory that you cling to, its texture softened and quietly reflective. What makes this release so beautiful is its simplicity. Rather than pander to big hooks or oversize dramatic moments, meka allows itself to be subtle. The songwriting is intimate, almost confessional, every line could be a page ripped from a private journal. It is a searching and lingering sadness that gives the song its weight. But there’s grace in the vulnerability, a sort of backboned softness to the song that holds it up. “Tomato Song” remains true to its heartbeat. The production is deliberately spare, leaving room for the melodies and lyrics to open up.
It’s this simplicity that allows the emotional beats to land that much harder. It’s the sort of record that you want to throw on late at night, when everything sounds just a bit too loud and all you’re looking for is a little bit of silence. When so much music feels rushed, or overstated, lately, meka offers a song that doesn’t hesitate to be in the moment. “Tomato Song” is a vibe and an achy little feeling threaded through with melody. With these songs here, at least, meka are carving out a space of their own, where whispering speaks volumes, and sadness sounds oddly beautiful.