“Tangerine” is the latest EP release by Meat In Space, an excellent solo project of San Francisco Bay Area musician Shawn Stedman. It’s the second piece of work this year, arriving as an adequate follow-up of tracks such as “Ruby Tourmaline,” “Chromium Dioxide,” and “Outta My Head,” three outstanding singles released throughout 2023 and 2024, of which two ended up as part of “Tangerine” EP. Soundwise, Meat In Space combines some of the finest properties borrowed from many complementary music genres. Perhaps grunge comes to mind first, but you’ll unquestionably notice how fundamental elements of garage rock, alternative rock, and indie rock music found their way into this sonic equation. Meat In Space uses all these additional sonic ingredients as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift his song to new heights while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. He tastefully and precisely blends all these styles in to illustrate such a catchy, memorable, engaging, luxurious sonic imagery that will immediately grab your attention and refuse to let go long after the last song ends. “Tangerine is material that will appeal not only to grunge and alternative rock fans but to anyone who appreciates or looks for cleverly assembled and flawlessly composed music.
From the onset, you’ll notice that Meat In Space poured heart and soul into this EP release. Each composition arrives with a collection of excellent vocal harmonies, raw guitar works, and groovy beats. You’ll also hear how every track has a perfect structure, adorned with many intricate segments, brilliant ideas, and marvelous orchestrations. One of the greatest qualities of this material is also Shawn Stedman’s ability to combine the nineties rock nostalgia with elements usually hearable in modern music. These details spice things up and elevate “Tangerine” to an entirely new level, making it one of the finest grunge releases this year. Stedman’s is notable throughout the entire EP, commanding attention and guiding the listening apparatus through each composition with such precision and finesse. The raspiness in his voice depends on the song’s mood and ambiance, for example, in the title track and “Call The Coroner,” Shawn Stedman showcases all the rawness and power by levitating between shouts and clean singing. These techniques add more grittiness and aggression to already raw, abrasive, heavy, groovy songs. On the other hand, numbers like “Chromium Dioxide” and “Ruby Tourmaline” are levitating more towards clean singling, adding more than necessary melody and harmony to the calm, soothing, relaxing, and ethereal ambiance. The impressive vocal range seamlessly balances between low, mid, and high notes, emphasizing each segment and instrumentation, flawlessly blending with the guitar works.
Speaking of the guitar works, “Tangerine” carries some of the finest riffs, chord progressions, harmonies, melodies, themes, leads, and other sonic delicacies. The interplay between guitars creates such a perfect backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon while the generous servings of fuzz distortion give that crunchy, raw, abrasive, dirty sound that matches all the vocal maneuvers. This rich, gritty, luxuriant ambiance is vividly hearable during “Tangerine” EP, especially in the title track, “Chromium Dioxide,” and “Call The Coroner,” while songs like “Ruby Tourmaline” and “Hyperion Ham” carry much cleaner, acoustic or semi-distorted guitar works. These levitations between clean and raw compositions add more versatility to the material, making it more entertaining and enjoyable. Of course, this EP wouldn’t sound this good without an equally impressive rhythm section. You’ll notice how profoundly detailed, audible, warm-sounding basslines lurk beneath all those luxurious guitar layers, providing more heaviness, clarity, and depth while binding all the orchestrations with rhythmic patterns. In the meantime, these songs are empowered with a comprehensive collection of expertly assembled, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. These rhythmic sequences keep everything in line while dictating groove and tempo. Meat In Space thought about even the tiniest details and nuances while writing, composing, arranging, and producing this material, so if the guitars act as a perfect backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon, then the bass and drums serve as a backdrop, holding everything together.
“Tangerine” is an excellent debut EP by profoundly creative Meat In Space. It vividly showcases all the knowledge, experience, talent, and skill of Shawn Stedman who breaks all the rules and shapeshifts the boundaries of so many music genres at once. With his brilliant ideas and outstanding musicianship, he proves that grunge, garage, alternative, and indie rock can still sound exciting, innovative, versatile, and fresh. “Tangerine” EP deserves your utmost attention, so you should immediately place this gem on your music radar. It’s available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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