Chelsea Lyn Meyer is Reinventing Pop-Punk One Anthem at a Time

Pop-punk has always belonged to the outsiders, the storytellers, the over-feelers, the kids who turned their heartbreak and chaos into something loud enough to drown out doubt. Chelsea Lyn Meyer fits right into that lineage, but she’s building her own lane inside it.

The Macungie, PA artist has been carrying the spirit of the early-2000s scene for years: catchy hooks, sharp storytelling, and a live-show energy that makes you want to scream the lyrics from the pit. But she’s also pushing the genre forward, blending nostalgia with a modern point of view and an unapologetic honesty that hits different in 2025.

Chelsea’s roots go deep, from her pop-punk beginnings in 2AM, to winning awards, landing radio rotation, and opening for Capitol Records artists. Those early days shaped her belief in writing songs that actually say something. After 2AM disbanded, her solo era took off with tracks like “Between the Lies,” “Remember,” and “This One’s On You,” earning praise from outlets like A&R Factory, who called her a “pop-punk pioneer” and recognized her as an artist reinventing the genre with powerful vocals and sharp emotion.

But 2025 marked one of her most important years yet. It brought the release of her first EP, a project that introduced TEASE as its title track, a fast, fun, addictive pop-punk anthem that captures the thrill of wanting someone so much it drives you insane… in the best way. More importantly, it’s the first song where Chelsea openly uses “she” to express her attraction, a milestone for her personally and creatively as an LGBTQ artist. The song isn’t just catchy; it’s freeing. It’s honest. It’s her stepping fully into who she is, with no filter and no hesitation.

She doubled down on her momentum later that year with her pop-punk spin on Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova,” flipping one of the most iconic queer pop songs of the year into something grittier, punchier, and distinctly Chelsea-coded. Between that, her WFMZ feature, the Gritty In Pink Vans Warped Warm Up Tour, and her 2026 writing sessions, Chelsea spent the year growing her artistry in every direction, on stage, in the studio, and within herself.

Now, heading into a new year, she’s driven by simple goals: more stages, more music, more community. And she’s carrying one message for fellow artists, don’t quit, no matter how loud the doubt gets. Keep writing, keep showing up, and keep being your truest, rawest, most honest self.

TEASE is the release you chose for our Best Independent Artists of 2025 list, a fun, bold, pop-punk song that’s also the first time you openly use “she” in your lyrics. What did that moment of honesty feel like for you, creatively and personally?

I remember the moment I had finished writing the lyrics and was considering changing all of the “she” pronouns used for the subject of the song, to “you” or “they.” It really is something so small but it means a lot because it was me choosing to be my authentic self as an artist. It felt powerful to be able to represent myself truthfully as an lgbtq+ artist and be another voice in the community. There’s something so freeing about saying “f*** it” and just being unapologetically you.

You’ve been reinventing pop-punk for years, pulling from early-2000s nostalgia but giving it a modern edge. What part of the pop-punk era do you still carry with you when you write, and what part of yourself shows up in the new wave of the genre?

I tend to write in more upbeat melodies and chord progressions while the subject matter isn’t always happy. I think my influence from early 2000’s pop punk contributes to that a lot, as well as my writing style. I think the way I write my lyrics is in a newer style.

Starting in band 2 AM was your introduction to writing and storytelling. Looking back now, how did those early years shape your voice, confidence, and approach as a solo artist?

2AM was a band started by me and some of my best friends. Having that encouragement and support from some of my closest friends to try writing songs and being the lead singer, I think really built my confidence as a song writer and performer. Being in 2AM with people who built me up and gave me such a judgement free space to find my voice both in song writing and vocally, gave me the courage to continue creating and performing once 2AM disbanded.

Your EP dropped in March, and later in the year, you released your version of “Red Wine Supernova.” Why did that Chappell Roan cover feel like the right song to reinterpret, and what did you want to bring to it that was uniquely you?

Chappell Roan is a brilliant songwriter, so once I started listen to her, I KNEW I wanted to cover one of her songs. It was HARD to pick just one because she has so many hits in her catalog. I chose Red Wine Supernova because I felt like I could relate to the lyrics and I hadn’t heard many covers of the song yet. I really wanted to do a pop/punk cover of the song while still kinda staying true to the pop sound in the original. It was so much fun to record this version too because of all the backing vocals and little call/answer lines in the song.

You’ve had radio success, press recognition, and even been called a “pop-punk pioneer.” How do you stay grounded through the highs while still pushing yourself into new creative territory?

I try to stay focused on growing rather than comparing myself to past wins. Every song or project feels like a chance to do something new or different and push my comfort zone a little bit further each time. I’m always trying my best to look ahead and stay connected with the friends I make along the way. I also jump at any opportunity to share a room/stage with people who I can learn from and who challenge me creatively.

From performing on WFMZ to hitting the Gritty In Pink Vans Warped Warm Up Tour, 2025 brought a lot of stages your way. Which performance this year changed you the most as an artist?

By far getting to share the stage with the Gritty in Pink crew. Every musician that was a part of that tour was so talented but also SO humble and welcoming. SHIRAGIRL founded Gritty in Pink and I followed both her and Gritty for a while. Getting to meet her and share a stage with her was something that I didn’t ever think I would have the opportunity to do. Gritty in Pink focuses on empowering women and gender equality, especially in the music world. Being on stage rocking out with so many talented women, some of whom I already looked up to, was such a push for me to keep doing what I’m doing and being my authentic self. If I can give to one person what the Gritty gang gave to me, I’m happy.

Heading into 2026 with new music on the way, what shifts do you feel happening in your sound, your confidence, or your vision for who you’re becoming?

Heading into 2026 I’m so motivated musically to write more music and tell so many more stories. I hear a shift in my sound and feel it becoming more mine with every song I write. I feel like I have a lot to say that in the past has gone unsaid for fear of what other people may think. I’m ready to tell my stories and hope that they connect with someone else who listens.