Madilyn Mei – “Side Quest Song” [Song Review]

Indie-folk singer-songwriter Madilyn Mei has dropped her new single, “Side Quest Song,” revealing her desire for a new romantic adventure with the perfect companion, with whom she will take off on a side quest.

Mei explains: “I love it when people make an event out of the small things. After all, life is your day-to-day, not just the few bigger moments throughout the year.”

“Side Quest Song” is the first single from Mei’s upcoming yet-to-be-named EP. It will act as the follow-up to her two previous EPs, her 2023 debut album, To Exist With You, and a slew of singles, all released within two years. With the new EP on the horizon, Mei takes off on a 23-city tour beginning July 11th in Phoenix, Arizona.

The new single sees Mei returning to her indie-folk roots after diverging toward darker experimental sounds on 2023’s Promise You Won’t Scream EP and her most recent single, “Garden Jargon.”

Madilyn Mei, photo by Emily Minerowicz

Amid a soft, swirling intro, “Side Quest Song” flows into a delicately gentle melody as Mei’s gorgeous vocals suffuse the lyrics with charming timbres on the verses. In the chorus, her voice soars with sunny tones, giving the tune dreamy, expectant surfaces.

“Side Quest Song” is a grand example of the colourful, cozy, and whimsical universe that Madilyn Mei shapes with her charismatic compositions.

Run Time: 4:45
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Record Label: Independent