Mock Meat cover art via Magi Merlin, by Laurent E. Malo

A little spooky, a little bit sultry, Magi Merlin's "Mock Meat" (prod. Funky What) draws you in with textured sounds and silky vocals. The track is less of a departure from her last single, "Walking to the Dep," and more of an evolution point for Magi Merlin as an artist.

I caught up with Magi about "Mock Meat" and got to dive a little deeper into the song's meaning and her preference for vegan protein alternatives.

While we were chatting about her new track, she explained that it was not only evocative of the heavy wintery energy we've all been feeling but of a failed friendship as well. She shared that the song was her way of processing the hurt it caused while still knowing that she had made the right choice by setting these boundaries.

We empathized with each other about the process of realizing that a friend may not have the best intentions for you and the sadness of realizing that it's time to let them go for your own good. We're taught to break up with a partner when the relationship goes sour, but when it comes to ending friendships, especially creative ones, things get a little more complicated.

While the song may be evocative of the cold, heavy feelings we're all going through, it's a beacon of promise for the undoubtedly excellent album to come. As Magi Merlin continues to grow as an artist, it's no doubt that her creative career will blossom with her. She's one of our top artists to watch this year, and that's not a compliment we hand out freely.

Oh, and in case you were curious, Magi Merlin has confirmed that Beyond Meat Sausages are her #1 type of mock meat. "I could eat those literally every day, no exaggeration. They have a legit sausage texture and flavour. UNBEATABLE." @ Beyond Meat, we're open to sponsorships.

Listen to Mock Meat below and keep an eye out for Magi Merlin's upcoming EP Drug Music, to be released March 5.