St. Humain – METADRAMATIC EP Review

Pop music is often seen as shallow and simple, but in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s plenty of pop music out there created to hold a deeper meaning, with clever writing alongside catchy melodies and fun tunes. Of course, it’s difficult to find pop music like this, as it practically requires an artist who can take these catchy influences and imbue them with thoughtful ideas. That’s what St. Humain promises with his latest EP, “METADRAMATIC.”

“METADRAMATIC” has a fascinating concept behind, that being that it’s built upon the shared experience of people all over the world. It’s St. Humain’s personal approach to ideas and feelings that people all around the world face in their relationships. This isn’t just limited to romantic relationships, but instead it extends to all types of relationships. Lovers, friends, even your relationship with your own sense of self. So, does “METADRAMATIC” stick the landing?

The first track on the EP, “Wanna Talk,” is an interesting reflection on the concept of the project. It’s a fair bit more lighthearted than what the EP will develop into, but it’s a good and fun way to open things up. It’s a self reflection, as St. Humain thinks about his inability to communicate with women, mixing in hints of frustration, self deprecation and lack of confidence. Of course, it’s all played out with a wink and a playful tone, which lifts the mood of the song into something more fun.

Moving on to a song with a darker subject matter, we’ve got “Tastes Like You,” a much more somber and melancholic tune. It makes for a fascinating dichotomy, where “Tastes Like You” takes the lack of self confidence and insecurity, magnifying it tenfold and adding in a dash of missing someone. St. Humain also makes a lot of references towards using alcohol as a vice to keep himself pushing forward, and it all makes for compelling songwriting.

Regrets come to the service once again on the EP closer, “Dial Tones,” a stripped down, simple, but emotional tour de force that’s crushing in its bluntness. While it does relish in the sadder overtones with cold piano arrangements driving its melody, it also has themes of moving on and carrying forward. These three songs really make a great showing of how the EP does a phenomenal executing its theme.

“METADRAMATIC” is practically flawless in executing its concept, with every lyric and arrangement carefully considered for maximum effect. The songs are catchy, the writing is beautiful, St. Humain’s delivery is the perfect vessel for telling his stories, and it all comes together in a neat, perfect package. It’s a musical project you’d be remiss to miss out on. We recommend giving it a look, especially if you’d like to see the potential of Pop as a medium for intensely personal storytelling.

Instagram: @sthumain
Facebook: StHumain
Twitter: @sthumain
Website: sthumain.com