Liv Waters – “Mean Streak”

East coast-born, west coast-based Liv Waters debuts on our blog with “Mean Streak,” a nostalgic look at the complicated feelings that resurface when childhood friends become strangers.

“Mean Streak” begins as a simple, stripped-back arrangement, with the strums of an acoustic guitar laying the foundation for Waters’ vocal performance. Her delicate voice delivers lyrics that describe how childhood friendships are often shaped by circumstance, determined by the zip codes our parents chose and the streets where we grew up.

The barebones production only slightly expands to include some straightforward drums and an additional layer of vocals, but it is this raw and unadorned vibe that allows the subject matter to hit us in an especially personal way. If Waters had opted for a more contemporary pop approach, some of this sentiment might have been lost.

Towards the end, “Mean Streak” provides us with the delicate, ghostly keys of a piano, but it’s not at all difficult to imagine the song emerging from any number of backyard bonfires or coffeehouses. The power lies in its subject matter, which is offered to us via one hell of a standout vocal performance.

Enjoy “Mean Streak” wherever you get your music. Connect with Liv Waters here: Spotify | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

Catch this tune in our Top 100: