Megan Wheeler has long since blown the doors to the pop pantheon open, but with her new single, Now That I’m Gone, she’s taken the throne within it. Moodily fiery and enveloped in ethereal textures that swirl around the four-to-the-floor beat, the single is a blast beyond the contemporary curve. New wave synth pop motifs inject a touch of nostalgia into the future-forward production, while glitchy vocal distortions and constant tonal shifts round out the emotionally charged anthem of self-reclamation.
Since the release of Replaced at just 16, Wheeler has distinguished herself as a pop phenomenon with songwriting that cuts through the noise. Compared to Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, and Dolores O’Riordan, she’s built a reputation for songs that walk the fine line between relatability and raw emotional depth. With Now That I’m Gone, she leans into confidence rather than heartbreak, proving she’s just as potent when asserting independence as she is when pouring vulnerability into her verses.
Her time at Belmont University in Nashville sharpened her talent, but it was the return home to St. Petersburg, Florida, that crystallised her resolve. Now That I’m Gone is the sound of that clarity, shattering any lingering doubt about her direction. As a dual citizen of Ireland and the U.S., a Philadelphia Eagles devotee, and someone unafraid to engage with social issues, Wheeler refuses to settle in life or music. Now That I’m Gone is just further proof that she’s pushing forward without hesitation.
Now That I’m Gone is now available on all major streaming platforms. Find your preferred way to listen via this link.
Review by Amelia Vandergast