Meanjin (EP) explained

Meanjin
Type:	ep
Artist:	Thelma Plum
Cover:	Meanjin_(EP)_by_Thelma_Plum.png
Label:	Warner Music Australia
Prev Title:	Better in Blak
Prev Year:	2019

Meanjin is the third extended play by Australian singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, released on 12 August 2022 through Warner Music Australia. Plum has described the EP as a "love letter" to Brisbane, with Meanjin being the indigenous name for the city.^[1]

The EP's six songs were written after COVID forced Plum to leave London for Brisbane while in the middle of writing and recording her second full-length album. Returning to Brisbane, saying, "In strange times you always tend to look back at warm memories for comfort, and when I was confined to an apartment overlooking 'The Brown Snake', I found myself writing music about Meanjin, the place I grew up in and have gravitated back to."^{[1] [2]} Sonically, the EP is inspired by artists Plum was listening to throughout lockdown, including Phoebe Bridgers, as well as those she had loved for years like Shania Twain and Fleetwood Mac.^[3]

The EP will be supported by an Australian tour, with special guests Graace and Jem Cassar-Daley.^{[1] [2]}

At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the EP earned the Plum a nomination for Best Solo Artist. The EP was nominated for Best Pop Release.^[4]

At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2023, the EP won Album of the Year.^{[5] [6]}

Critical reception

Josh Leeson said "The '80s-inspired 'When It Rains It Pours' and 'Backseat of My Mind' are driven by gorgeous melodies and the off-kilter piano ballad 'Baby Blue Bicycle' showcases Plum's stunning vocal, as she tells the story of her childhood neighbour. At six tracks, Meanjin is short and ever so sweet. Most importantly it leaves you wanting more from Plum."^[7]

NME gave the EP a positive review, with Ellie Robinson writing: "Thelma Plum’s six-track ode to the city that shaped her is a compelling listen from start to finish, as the singer-songwriter weaves a rich and riveting tapestry of Meanjin – also known as Brisbane – with considered nods to her most formative experiences, the characters that drove them, and the local flora and fauna that coloured them."^[8]

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[9]	28

Release history

Release history and formats for Meanjin! Region! Date! Format! Edition! Label! Catalogue !

Various	12 August 2022		Standard	Warner Music Australia	5419724168	^[10]
Australia	25 November 2022		Vinyl Edition		5419723033	^[11]
Various			Deluxe Edition			^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Thelma Plum releases Meanjin EP, shares "The Brown Snake" video. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 August 2022. 16 August 2022.
2. Web site: Thelma Plum Has Released Her New Meanjin EP. Musicfeeds. 12 August 2022. 16 August 2022.
3. Web site: Thelma Plum on her new EP ‘Meanjin’: "I’ve put so much into these songs… I feel very exposed, very vulnerable". NME. August 2022. 16 August 2022.
4. Web site: Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List). The Music Network. 12 October 2022. 12 October 2022. Lars Brandle.
5. Web site: Budjerah & Wildfire Manwurrk Lead NIMA Finalist Nominations . The Music. 12 July 2023. 12 July 2023. Mary Varvaris .
6. Web site: Here Are All the Winners from the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards. Music Feeds. 12 August 2023. 13 August 2023.
7. Web site: ALBUM REVIEW: Thelma Plum paints a loving portrait of Brisbane on Meanjin EP. Mandurah Mail. 16 August 2022. 16 August 2022.
8. Web site: What’s new this month? Here are 10 Australian release picks for August 2022. NME. 1 August 2022. 1 August 2022.
9. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 August 2022. 19 August 2022.
10. Web site: Meanjin (EP) . . 4 November 2022.
11. Web site: Meanjin (EP) (10in Vinyl) . . 4 November 2022.
12. Web site: Meanjin (Deluxe) - EP . . 4 November 2022.