Singer-songwriter Meels has signed to Nashville-based Lost Highway Records following the breakout success of her debut EP, ‘Tales from a Bird’s Bedroom.' The label will release her follow-up EP, ‘Across The Raccoon Strait,' on January 30, 2026. Alongside the announcement, Meels has shared ‘Vultures,' the toe-tapping third single from the project, offering listeners another warm, witty glimpse into her world.
Written from the perspective of life on the road, the song pairs gentle humour with sharp observation, as Meels sings, “vultures on the fence post roadkill on the centerline / eyes are on the highway but your always on my mind,” blending tenderness with her signature offbeat charm.
Speaking about the new partnership, Meels said signing with Lost Highway carries deep personal meaning. She described the label as one that shaped her both as a listener and a songwriter, adding that releasing music through the same imprint that once carried many of her idols feels especially significant. Lost Highway executives Robert Knotts and Jake Gear echoed that sentiment, praising Meels’ ability to create songs that feel lived-in and inviting. They noted that ‘Across The Raccoon Strait' draws listeners further into a world that feels both familiar and distinctly her own, aligning perfectly with the label’s long-standing commitment to championing singular artistic voices.
‘Across The Raccoon Strait' features seven songs, all written by Meels and co-produced with Peter Groenwald of Hush Kids and Mark Campbell, continuing the collaborative team behind her debut EP. The project includes her fall 2025 singles ‘The Wizard' and ‘Willow Song.' The former transforms Meels’ lifelong experience with OCD into a whimsical yet deeply personal narrative, while ‘Willow Song' encourages moments of stillness and reflection amid everyday chaos. Both tracks further establish her gift for tackling complex themes with lightness, imagination and emotional clarity.
Visually, Meels continues to extend her creative world beyond the music. A live performance of ‘The Wizard,' filmed at Glacier National Park Conservancy, launched her Meels National Park Services video series, blending nature, performance and storytelling. Meanwhile, the official video for ‘Willow Song' leans into playful nostalgia, opening with an animated sequence inspired by 1970s variety television before unfolding on a set reminiscent of The Muppet Show. The visual nods to John Denver, whose music was a staple in Meels’ childhood growing up among the redwoods of Northern California.
With Across The Raccoon Strait, Meels steps confidently into her next chapter, backed by a label synonymous with thoughtful, boundary-pushing Americana. The new EP promises to deepen the intimate, idiosyncratic songwriting that first drew attention to her work, while introducing her voice to an even wider audience in 2026.
