We previously featured Melinda Joy and Son of Cormack as they celebrated unexpected love and meaningful human connection on the cinematic duet, Out of the Blue, so when we heard that Melinda was back with Too Late, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Too Late opens with astral keys and a brooding bass performance with textured drums as Melinda sings, “What you waiting for, better walk out the door, run down the street, feel your feet on the ground… Catch that train, stomp in the rain, dream your dream, scream your screams, one day soon it’s gonna be too late…”
The opus expands with vocals from JT Martin cementing Too Late as another duet which taps into notions of impermanence, desire and a message to inspire us to live our lives to the max. The chemistry between Melinda and JT feels super natural and wholesome.
In essence, the song is about refusing to postpone the things that matter in life. The repeated reminder that “one day soon it’s gonna be too late” feels like a solid invitation to actually live, to take the train, dance in the rain, chase the dream and say what needs to be said. In that sense, the message feels truly zeitgeist, particularly within a culture that increasingly encourages us to document our lives rather than fully experience them.
There is also a compelling romantic dimension to the track, as the song explores the tension between two lovers who appear to be standing on the edge of connection or separation. This ambiguity gives the lyrics an additional poignancy, because the idea of “too late” can apply equally to chasing a dream, taking a chance on love, or simply finding the courage to change direction.
We could imagine Too Late soundtracking a pivotal sequence in We Live in Time, One Day, or an emotionally charged scene in Normal People. Interestingly, the duet itself came together almost organically. Originally inspired by a prompt from Melinda’s songwriting group, she was already working on the track when JT stopped by the studio. In a moment of spontaneity, he composed and recorded what became the chorus, completing the tune and taking the song in an unexpected new direction.
For some background, Melinda Joy is a multi-award-winning musician, author and filmmaker whose soulful, jazzy and lush sound has been described as “Southern Gothic”. A singer-songwriter and bass player, she interweaves poetic lyrics with bass and melody lines drawn from a variety of genres. Based between Austin, Texas and Mexico, Melinda continues to write, perform and teach across several projects, including Son of Cormack, HoneyBones and Ravens 5.
Her creative practice extends far beyond music, with a Ph.D. in psychology and creativity studies, alongside her work as the host and creator of the Syncreate: Empowering Creativity podcast. She is also the author of two bestselling books on creativity, demonstrating the same fascination with human behaviour, imagination and self-expression that permeates her music.
JT Martin, meanwhile, brings his own rich musical history to the collaboration. The former frontman of Austin glam-rock band Chasca, JT has spent decades performing, writing and recording across America and Europe, with experience spanning vocals, drums, keys and flute. His instinctive approach to music adds another dimension to Too Late, and his spontaneous contribution to the track feels like a fitting representation of an artist who continues to make music out of sheer necessity and creative impulse.
Needless to say, Too Late is another deeply resonant release from Melinda Joy, proving that some of the most meaningful songs are the ones that encourage us to stop waiting for the right moment. We have added the track to our New Music Spotlight and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to immerse ourselves in the wider universe of Melinda Joy and look forward to seeing where her ever-evolving creative journey takes her next.