After facing heavy backlash for her weight loss journey, Meghan Trainor has responded through her seventh studio album, “Toy With Me,” expressing her indifference to…and emphasizing her personal growth. Released on April 24, the 16 tracks combine themes of confidence, love and independence, all while exploring topics surrounding online hate, relationships and family. The album’s nostalgic and dream-like vibe draws listeners in and makes use of witty lyrical choices.
During the album’s production in November 2025, Trainor received criticism for her weight loss journey, fans accusing her of betraying her theme of body positivity expressed in many of her hit songs. Trainor boldly calls out the contradictions in the criticism she faces, with “Still Don’t Care” being the most impactful example. The line “said I was too thick, then I got way too thin,” highlights the hypocrisy of the media, with her receiving criticism both before and after her weight loss. She also states, “Are you in my head? Nope I still don’t care,” voicing her indifference and encouraging others to leave her alone.
“Toy With Me” starts off with a confident and cheery opener, “Get In Girl,” which focuses on women’s empowerment and leaving behind toxic partners through the perspective of an individual supporting their friend. The song advocates for setting boundaries and recognizing harmful behaviors in relationships. Its thematic message of self-worth, along with the upbeat and energetic aspects of the song, helps set the tone for the rest of the tracks.
Many songs in the album embody a more playful and unserious vibe. In “Chef’s Kiss,” Trainor wishes small annoyances on others, with humorous lyrics such as “An itty-bitty rock in your shoes,” and “A little bit of brick wall in your view.” Meanwhile, “Delulu” leans into a more self-absorbed angle, with Trainor singing “You mean the main character ain’t me?” and “‘Cause all I see’s a goddess, wanna kiss myself,” representing someone deluding themselves into a false reality to maintain high confidence. Trainor’s choice to include these exaggerations in the album could be her way of brushing off the criticism and mixing up the contents of the tracks.
Trainor also references her children in two sweet songs, “Angels” and “Little One.” The mood of the former is lively and touching while the latter resembles a lullaby. “Angels” is about her children leading her to believe in angels and healing her. “Little one” is more about being afraid of not being able to protect her children and wishing that they could keep their innocence. The inclusion of her kids’ voices at the end of “Little One” produces a heartwarming feeling, making the emotional impact of the song much more moving.
While the catchy lyrics and instrumentals of the album stand out as one of her best works, the tracks can feel a little redundant in their messaging. Many of the songs repeat the same lines and lyrical themes about not caring about criticism.
“Toy With Me” reflects how Trainor has changed over the course of her career, including her experiences of being a mother of three. Her choice to include similar melodic styles to her earlier hits invokes feelings of nostalgia while branching out to more mature themes.
Overall, “Toy With Me” can invoke a wide range of moods through its wide range of topics. From dealing with backlash to sincere, heartfelt moments, Trainor brings the listener through many of her own emotions through this period of her life. Whether confidence-boosting moments or a more lighthearted atmosphere are needed, listeners can find all of the above from the versatility of the songs.
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