Meiko

Self-Released; September 2007

On her self-titled debut, Meiko combines the best of folk and soft rock to create a soothing, tranquil atmosphere of sounds. Shows like Grey’s Anatomy have featured her music and, thanks to those plugs, the Los Angeles-based songbird has reached more than 200,000 individual song downloads on iTunes. Most of her songs are pretty and soft, showcasing her folksy side with hushed gusto. But a few of the album’s tracks, complete with pulsating drumbeats and radio-friendly pop hooks, stand out from the rest. But that’s not to say Meiko is unoriginal. Her soothing vocals, slow melodies, and catchy lyrics put this indie release steps ahead of the soft rock pack.