Meanjin (EP)

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Meanjin
EP by
Thelma Plum
Released12 August 2022 (2022-08-12)
LabelWarner Music Australia
Producer
Thelma Plum chronology
Better in Blak
(2019) 		Meanjin
(2022)
Singles from Meanjin
  1. "Backseat of My Mind"
    Released: 27 May 2022[1]
  2. "When It Rains It Pours"
    Released: 13 July 2022[2]
  3. "The Brown Snake"
    Released: 12 August 2022[3]

Meanjin is the third extended play by Australian singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, released on 12 August 2022 through Warner Music Australia. Plum has described the EP as a "love letter" to Brisbane, with Meanjin being the indigenous name for the city.[4]

The EP's six songs were written after COVID forced Plum to leave London for Brisbane while in the middle of writing and recording her second full-length album. Returning to Brisbane, saying, "In strange times you always tend to look back at warm memories for comfort, and when I was confined to an apartment overlooking 'The Brown Snake', I found myself writing music about Meanjin, the place I grew up in and have gravitated back to."[4][5] Sonically, the EP is inspired by artists Plum was listening to throughout lockdown, including Phoebe Bridgers, as well as those she had loved for years like Shania Twain and Fleetwood Mac.[6]

The EP will be supported by an Australian tour, with special guests Graace and Jem Cassar-Daley.[4][5]

At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the EP earned the Plum a nomination for Best Solo Artist. The EP was nominated for Best Pop Release.[7]

At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2023, the EP won Album of the Year.[8][9]

Critical reception[edit]

Josh Leeson said "The '80s-inspired 'When It Rains It Pours' and 'Backseat of My Mind' are driven by gorgeous melodies and the off-kilter piano ballad 'Baby Blue Bicycle' showcases Plum's stunning vocal, as she tells the story of her childhood neighbour. At six tracks, Meanjin is short and ever so sweet. Most importantly it leaves you wanting more from Plum."[10]

NME gave the EP a positive review, with Ellie Robinson writing: "Thelma Plum’s six-track ode to the city that shaped her is a compelling listen from start to finish, as the singer-songwriter weaves a rich and riveting tapestry of Meanjin – also known as Brisbane – with considered nods to her most formative experiences, the characters that drove them, and the local flora and fauna that coloured them."[11]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Thelma Plum, Alexander Burnett and Oli Horton

Meanjin track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."The Brown Snake"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:15
2."When It Rains it Pours"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
4:13
3."Backseat of My Mind"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
4:24
4."Baby Blue Bicycle"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
3:07
5."Bars on My Windows"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
2:11
6."The Bat Song"
  • Burnett
  • Horton
2:41
Meanjin (Deluxe) track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
7."The Brown Snake" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 
8."When It Rains it Pours" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 
9."Backseat of My Mind" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 
10."Baby Blue Bicycle" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 
11."Bars on My Windows" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 
12."The Bat Song" (live at 56)
  • Burnett
  • Horton
 

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Meanjin
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] 28

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for Meanjin
Region Date Format Edition Label Catalogue Ref
Various 12 August 2022
Standard Warner Music Australia 5419724168 [13]
Australia 25 November 2022
Vinyl Edition 5419723033 [14]
Various
Deluxe Edition — [15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist Additions 27/05/22". Music Feeds. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Thelma Plum Shares "When It Rains It Pours" Announces New EP & Tour Dates". Music Feeds. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  3. ^ "The Brown Snake Single". Amrap. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Thelma Plum releases Meanjin EP, shares "The Brown Snake" video". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Thelma Plum Has Released Her New Meanjin EP". Musicfeeds. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Thelma Plum on her new EP 'Meanjin': "I've put so much into these songs… I feel very exposed, very vulnerable"". NME. August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  7. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  8. ^ Mary Varvaris (12 July 2023). "Budjerah & Wildfire Manwurrk Lead NIMA Finalist Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Here Are All the Winners from the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards". Music Feeds. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  10. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Thelma Plum paints a loving portrait of Brisbane on Meanjin EP". Mandurah Mail. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  11. ^ "What's new this month? Here are 10 Australian release picks for August 2022". NME. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  12. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Meanjin (EP)". JB Hi-Fi. 4 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Meanjin (EP) (10in Vinyl)". JB Hi-Fi. 4 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Meanjin (Deluxe) - EP". Apple Music. 4 November 2022.
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