Meredith O'Connor is back with a compelling new single, "Stronger", and this time she brought a very special collaborator, former Disney star and LGBTQ representative Garrett Clayton. It's a powerful addition to the Adult Contemporary and Electro Pop genres, coupling catchy hooks with a message that goes far beyond any music. "Stronger" is a master class in uplifting pop balladry. All this unfolds from the first note, as the production tugs hard at the line between glossy commercial appeal and emotional depth, demanding that we lean into its tale of bravery, self-acceptance, and survival.
O'Connor's vocal warmth complements Clayton's unique timbre, resulting in a duet that is at once a celebration of the intimate and the universal. Their voices combined turn the collaboration into an anthem for inner strength. Anti-bullying, a cause that O'Connor has been championing for years, is the subject of the song's message, making it significant to have Clayton participate on the track. As an openly LGBTQ pop advocate, his inclusion highlights the song's call-to-arms power of empowerment and inclusivity, turning "Stronger" into an anthem for anyone who has felt marginalized, silenced, or underestimated.
The Electro Pop meets Adult Contemporary production is slick but doesn't overshadow the words and the voice singing them. The chorus is so room-filling and hopeful that being energized in some way by the experience is likewise incredible. At the same time, there are light electronic textures that add a touch of modernity but don't detract from the performance's organic emotional center. It's a delicate mix that speaks to both O'Connor's evolution as an artist and her talent for crafting pop music, balancing commercial success with social impact.
"Stronger" resonates with everyone who has faced the most challenging times, offering solidarity and hope. Teaming up with Garrett Clayton, O'Connor has expanded the song's audience, allowing its themes of love, survival, and acceptance to resonate with people from all walks of life. With this new single, Meredith O'Connor only further solidifies her name as an artist who not only produces compelling, catchy pop music, but also as a heart-centred, meaningful voice within the genre, this time carrying forward a topic that has clearly been close to her heart for many years. "Stronger" is a pop record with a heart.