Rising indie-rock artist meg elsier is back with a powerful new single. Titled “sportscar [scrapped],” the track leads the upcoming deluxe edition of her acclaimed debut album spittake, arriving July 25 via Bright Antenna Records.
With shimmering synths, a driving rhythm, and jagged emotional turns, the song is a polished but vulnerable statement, equal parts indie-pop and alt-rock energy.
The Sound of Acceleration and Breakdown
“sportscar [scrapped]” opens in a soft, reflective lane but quickly picks up speed. The chorus soars, echoing the emotional turbulence in its lyrics. The production is sleek yet sincere. With its crisp guitar textures and cinematic mood, the track feels like a late-night drive through memory and melancholy.
It’s catchy but weighty. Shiny on the outside, but full of tension under the hood.
A Metaphor on Four Wheels
The car metaphor isn’t accidental. For meg, the vehicle became a symbol for how she was living. She almost named the original album Check Engine Light On. That sense of impending breakdown was real.
“I was really identifying with my beat-up car my mother gave me. It was something I treated like shit… but that kinda was my life at the time,” meg says.
She explains how she masked burnout with self-maintenance—dyed hair, makeup, social polish. Outwardly, everything looked good. But internally, she was running on fumes.
“I would dye my hair (new paint job), get dolled up (took her to the car wash), and perform so well socially (that V8 engine purring, baby), but that was all it was. I had a coming-to moment like, ‘This isn’t sustainable. I’m about to crash out.’”
Reimagining the Live Performance
Alongside the single comes a striking live performance visual, directed with longtime collaborator Jacq Justice. It’s bold, stylized, and theatrical. More than a live session—it’s a world.
meg challenges expectations of what a rock performance can be.
“Why can’t a fucking rock show be theatre? Why can’t it be camp? Why does it have to live in reality to be real?”
This commitment to blending visuals, storytelling, and emotion is a hallmark of her artistry.
Who Is meg elsier?
Based in Nashville, meg elsier is more than a singer-songwriter. She’s a visual artist with a distinct sonic identity. Her music blends grungy guitars with ethereal shoegaze. Her lyrics are witty, raw, and self-aware.
Her debut album spittake earned praise from DIY Magazine, OnesToWatch, and CLASH for its fearless honesty and layered sound.
Now, with the deluxe edition, meg is opening the door even wider.
What to Expect from the Deluxe Edition
The deluxe version of spittake includes 17 tracks. Fans will get raw live recordings, unreleased demos, and personal B-sides. It’s a deeper dive into the emotional and creative world she built with her debut.
A limited-edition vinyl is also available for pre-order, making this release even more special.
On Tour with Liz Cooper
Following a successful run supporting Blondshell, meg joins Liz Cooper on tour this week. The mini-tour kicks off tomorrow in Brooklyn, with upcoming shows in Washington D.C., Durham, and Nashville.
Tour Dates with Liz Cooper
June 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool^
June 20 – Washington DC @ Comet Ping Pong^
June 21 – Durham, NC @ The Pinhook^
June 26 – Nashville, TN @ Soft Junk^
^ with Liz Cooper
Full Speed Ahead
With “sportscar [scrapped],” meg elsier proves she’s not just riding the indie-rock wave—she’s steering it in a bold new direction. The song, the visual, and the deluxe release show an artist in motion. Fueled by truth, risk, and reinvention.
She’s not breaking down. She’s breaking through.
Watch the “sportscar (live)” video:
