
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers, Arts Correspondent
Albums: Tom Meighan Roadrunner.
Tom Meighan Roadrunner.
Use It Or Lose It; white Lies; Silver Linings; We Can Do It; Better Life; High On You; Headcase; Exorcist; Sneaky One; Do Your Thing; Would You Mind. Bonus Tracks: Scared (Live); Shout It Out (Live)
Label: Blue Rocket Records
Tom Meighan moved on from Kasabian in the wake of some very public personal issues. Having spent time focusing on his personal life and overcoming demons, he returned in 2023 with the album
The Reckoning. A solid body of work, it played safe and delivered what it needed to re-establish him back in the hearts of those fans willing to give him a second chance. Two years later he returns with his solo sophomore album,
Roadrunner. Having teased the release with some of the finest singles of his career—Kasabian era included—could it be that he is ready to really unleash his full potential as a soloist?
Roadrunner is a complex, eclectic, and insightful collection. It opens with the faultless tone setter—Use It or Lose It. This is an artist who knows his capabilities and is aware that he needs to showcase all aspects of his musical personality to really shine. Part explosive raw energy and part touching introspection, it is these two components that make the record so compelling.
At times it is clear that Meighan is a stadium-ready solo artist. Delivering anthems as killer as
We Can Do It, he is riotous and joyous to listen to. This would be the perfect climax to an epic set. Yet within
Roadrunner, Meighan manages to deliver some of the other perfect ingredients. The touching
Better Life is a truly tender moment that reminds us to stop and appreciate that glorious existence that surrounds us, especially when we might be on the edge of losing it.
In his fearless approach to exploring his own tumultuous ride through life,
Roadrunner allows Meighan the freedom to truly reconnect with his listener on a level not displayed in full on his previous solo release.
Roadrunner is bold. brave and, most importantly, truthful.