Canadian alt-rock sensation Meagan Aversa sets the scene ablaze with the release of her fiery debut EP, Matchbox, and its accompanying new single, “Torso” – listen here:

As track #1 on the four-song breakthrough, “Torso” trickles out of the speakers with Aversa’s acapella leading the melody. Landing as a near-whisper, imploring the listener to sit up and pay attention, pulsing percussion fades in, followed by instrumentation fleshed out with gorgeous harmonies. ‘Pick myself up just to watch them walk away,’ Aversa muses on the lyrics.

Each song on Matchbox artfully bleeds on top of the other, and offers a theme of exploration into the dark side of being alone, and the ultimate acceptance of being the only one capable of consoling your very self in the face of loneliness.

“While writing Matchbox, I was thinking a lot about codependency,” Aversa reveals. “I’ve always been fond of the sentiment ‘you are who you are when no one is watching,’ but I realized I didn’t really know who I was without someone there to remind me.”

Admittedly, “Torso” (and its sister track, “Blush”) spills the guts on breakups, but Aversa says “they’re more about the empty feeling that follows” than the relationships themselves.

“I find the stickiness of relationships really interesting...” the Toronto-based artist muses. “The way memories will weave their way into things without you even noticing, and linger long after you’ve lost touch with the person.

“I think spending time alone is really important, but it can be laced with self-doubt and general uncertainty,” she continues. “Sometimes it’s easier to lean on someone else for support, and kind of slowly absorb facets of them vs. really get to know yourself.

“Once I started to come to terms with these tendencies, the songs turned up.”

A graduate of Metalworks Institute’s Audio Engineering and Mixing and Mastering programs, Aversa is wired to record, produce, and procure an album on her own terms. Additionally, she lends her talents as a freelance audio engineer and producer based out of Candle Recording Studio in the west end of her hometown of Toronto.

There’s a marked cross of ‘Mazzy Starr vocals’ with ‘Suzanne Vega songwriting’ that eeks through Aversa’s lo-fi alternative rock style — painted with the brush as only Aversa can. The songs are unassuming, yet poignant; a visceral soundscape with delicate lyrics, delivered in soothing, reserved tones.

A songwriter since high school, the young indie talent notes Fiona Apple, Elliott Smith and The Cure among her top inspos; songs “Speed River” and “Some People Are Mountains” round out the release, with Aversa’s versatility in parlaying a message on full display in each passing track.

“One of my favourite things about songwriting is how you can take things that happen to you and turn them into something that belongs to you,” Aversa remarks. “I always encourage people to write music because everyone has such a unique amalgamation of life events and a different way to share them.

“That’s what makes it all the more special when you hear someone’s music, and feel like you’ve experienced the same thing because... What are the odds?

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