Dallas based producer and singer-songwriter Mezzi Mae is making waves with her latest single ‘Wasted.’ This release is a big moment for her career, but it’s also a testament to her growth as an artist over the last decade.
Mezzi Mae is unique because her process is hands on. She’s a one woman powerhouse who does everything from write to produce to mix and master. “Wasted” is one of Mezzi’s favorite tracks to date, and shines through because of this level of creative control.
It’s mystical, sensual, moody and untamed, but it is a wasted world. (Of note here is the perfect match of the R&B beats of its atmospheric song with its sophisticated emotional landscape, perfect for going through your feelings to the sounds of night long or when taking a roads head.)
Both Mezzi Mae’s songwriting and production bookends feel of pushing boundaries. Her balance between closeness and distance is a theme seen as often in unrequited love. The track is deeply personal yet not obscure, and incredibly relatable, a result.
If you’re a fan of dark R&B, alternative pop, or trap soul, “Wasted” is going to sound good to you. Mezzi’s haunting melodies and intricate vocal layering build a rich, immersive soundscape that is hard to resist.
The song ‘Wasted’ is now out on all of the major streaming platforms. It gives us a glimpse into Mezzi Mae’s upcoming EP, ‘FAKE NEWS’ that is so exciting fans will be too excited to wait for what’s next from this rising star.
Listen to Wasted below
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Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “wasted”? What prompted you to write this song?
At the time when I made “wasted”, I was listening to a bunch of r&b artists who had really cool flows & signature vocals runs. This inspired me to challenge myself and write to a very empty sample with virtually no driving melody. Doing this was way harder than writing to a strong melody, but I was determined to create something that really came from within.
How would you describe the sound and style of “wasted” to someone who hasn’t heard it yet?
I would describe “wasted” as very moody and sensual. It has an rnb flow with a touch of hiphop cadences & drums. It’s more on the ambient and lyrical side, but perfect for a late night drive or catching a vibe. The sub genres that I think fit this song most would be dark r&b, dark pop, alternative pop, & trap soul.
What does the title “wasted” mean in the context of the song? Is there a specific message or theme you’re exploring?
“wasted” is exactly what you think it means, to be really intoxicated. Although the message is important, the theme is what I was more focused on exploring. How can I blend imagery with complex emotions? This is a story about two young lovers who are caught in a wild, whirlwind romance, and my objective is to make you see what they see, & feel what they feel.
I did this by creating a sense of closeness & distance to the characters by playing with perspectives. This is the general breakdown from the start of the song to the chorus.
– 1st person POV: internal thoughts & dialogue (pull)
– 3rd person POV: observing & narrating, descriptive setting (push)
– 1st person POV: internal thoughts & personal desires (pull)
– 2nd person POV: directly addressing love interest (push)
The push/pull method isn’t only a game we play in love. When used in songwriting, it can generate this tantalizing psychological effect. By quickly shifting POV’s in different sections, I’m creating this type of conversational dynamic. One that feels natural, yet the tension cultivates an atmosphere so polarizing & taunting that emotions are bound to flourish.
How does “wasted” fit into your overall musical journey? Does it represent a new direction for your sound?
I absolutely think it was a bit of a catalyst in my journey. I really pushed myself with songwriting in a much different way than I ever had before. However, it’s still a similar sound & vibe to what I’ve been doing for a while, it’s just much more refined now.
Can you walk us through your creative process for writing and producing “wasted”?
I started out chopping up sample loops, reversing & blending them, then added a very simple drum pattern. After that, I got to writing right away.
My main focus with rnb is always the vocals—steering away from the production until I’m happy with how my lyrics & melody turn out. I also had 4 to 5 drafts before I stuck with the version that’s out right now.
After I have my main melodies, I begin layering them with harmonies—to support the vocals & give it more movement. When I’m finally in love with my demo, I’ll start producing around the vocals to fill in the gaps.
When I’m done with that, I kick up my vocal exercises for a few days & record the final vocals for the song! Once everything is in place, that’s when I begin my mix down process.
Are there any particular lyrics in “wasted” that hold special significance for you?
Yes, there are a few lines that hold special significance to me. My intro lines & my chorus hook.
“Usually I’d be gone before the sunrise,
Usually I’d be out the door but now I’m out my mind”
And
“You want me only when you’re wasted”
The first 2 are significant because, I’m deeply reflecting on my actions and how I’m not standing on business. That’s usually how I know I’m about to crash out bad—when I end up in a situation that I shouldn’t be in.
And my chorus line because, although it’s such a simple statement, it’s quite an unsettling feeling that’s weighed heavy on my heart before.
Were there any challenges you faced during the creation of “wasted”? How did you overcome them?
Every song has a different challenge and with this one, it was recording & mixing the vocals. I wrote some really high harmony parts that were challenging to hit, but it sounded soo good! So I had to re-record it multiple times. The most challenging part though, was mixing the chorus!
Mixing vocals isn’t my favorite, even though I have to do it every time. And getting the vocal stack to all blend in at the chorus section was not an easy task! It had a lot of moving parts, I didn’t want to overcrowd the mix, & I could’ve recorded some things a little different. But overall, I still love the way this song turned out. It was just a matter of pushing through and surrendering to the mix.
Do you have plans for a music video to accompany “wasted”? If so, can you give us a sneak peak into the concept?
I’m not sure if I’m going to do a full length music video to “wasted” at this very moment… However, I have been discussing with a friend about doing visualizers/mini videos. We’re not fully done conceptualizing the project just yet, but let’s just say it’s going to be dark & moody.
How does performing “wasted” live compare to the recorded version? Do you have any special plans for incorporating it into your live shows?
So far “wasted” has only been out for a little over a month so I haven’t had the chance to perform it live yet. However, I’d love to incorporate it into a live show sometime in the future. I think it’d be a fun one to perform.
What’s next for Mezzi Mae after the release of “wasted”? Are you working on an EP or album, or any other projects you can share with us?
So “wasted” is going to be the 3rd song on my 6 song EP that I’m dropping a month from now! The EP is going to be called “FAKE NEWS”. I’m super excited to put this one out because I got to explore the art of storytelling in a much different way then I ever have before. Every single song on the EP supports the next song by taking the listener on a visual & auditory journey to tell a complete story. It’s a relatable concept that I believe most of us have experienced, and… let’s just say you’re going to have to tune in for the rest 🙂
Lastly, where can fans listen to “wasted” and stay updated on your latest music and upcoming performances?
You can stream my songs anywhere babes! It’s available on all streaming platforms under Mezzi Mae. & it’s the same for all my socials too. Connect with me to stay in the loop for new music, releases, performances, etc. 🙂
