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Madeline Merlo: ‘One House Down’ – EP Review

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new EP, One House Down, officially out now, October 11th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new project below.

For Madeline Merlo, her new EP One House Down (from the girl next door) finds her moving on from a breakup and dealing with the aftermath of a broken heart. The six song collection allows the BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville recording artist to continue her meteoric rise in the genre, pairing poignant lyricism with a pristine storyteller style and pop-country sensibilities.

The 30-year-old Canadian chanteuse co-wrote each of the EP’s six tracks, produced by Zach Crowell, and telling the tale of a breakup and all that comes along with it. With a raw authenticity and prowess for evocative lyrics, Merlo truly crafts portraits of heartbreak, heartache, and grief.

“I’m a very deep feeler. I always say I feel like my heart’s on fire all the time,” Merlo shares in a statement. “It’s a superpower, but it’s also hard because the world can feel really heavy sometimes. This project is my struggle through finding myself and finding myself in love, and I wrote these songs for my younger self – for those moments when she really needed them.”

This is immediately evident on the album’s stirring opener, “Broken Heart Thing,” which pairs her with Dustin Lynch. On the heartache-laden duet, they trade verses about the unfamiliar feelings that come along with the discomfort and shock of a newly severed relationship.

“‘Cause I’m still getting used to this broken heart thing // Sit in the dark thing // Smiling when I’m falling apart thing // Pictures in hallways, hearing our song play // Thinking ’bout you all night and all day // Missing you’s different drinking alone // If you see my name come across your phone // Sorry, baby, I’m still new to this // I’m still getting used to this broken heart thing”

Both “Bar Fight” and “Same Car” find her grappling with relationship devastation, the latter showing the epicly relatable battle between heart and head. “Lonely wants to call him and logic says don’t,” She sings, voice entrenched in emotion. “My heart and my mind are in a bar fight over you.” Meanwhile, “Same Car” is a poetic look at the wild juxtaposition of memories a place like a car can hold, from an amazing first kiss to a devastating breakup.

“On a two-lane road Tracing hearts on the windows // Out with the headlights low // Thought I saw forever in a dashboard glow but // That’s the trouble with promises made in the dark // Sometimes you run out of stars It’s the same front seat // Where I fell for you It’s same cross hangin’ from the same rearview // It’s the same four wheels // Where you broke my heart// It’s hard to believe it’s the same car // It’s the same car”

Both “Middle of the Bed” and “Good Grief” find Merlo desperate to come out on the other side, knowing her decision is right but feeling her subconscious longing for an ex. “Middle” is a catchy and anthemic pop country gem, while “Grief” allows her to traverse the long journey to acceptance.

The collection ends with its title track, a uniquely infectious take on being the one who isn’t quite perfect, but being okay with it. “When I wrote that song, it felt so representative of me and my whole life,” she says. “I always felt like I was one house down from people with perfect lives and perfect families. And I know that’s not true, but that otherness and not feeling good enough has impacted me in different ways. One of them was through love – I feel like I’ve always stumbled my way through it.”

For Madeline Merlo, the six tracks on One House Down reflect a path to healing and acceptance that anyone can relate to, just like the title track. “At the end of the day, if they feel like they are one house down from the girl next door and not enough, I hope this EP can feel really honest,” she shares. “I hope it makes people feel heard, seen and understood.”

One House Down Track List:

  1. Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch) (Madeline Merlo, James McNair, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman,  Zach Crowell)
  2. Bar Fight (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Claire Douglas)
  3. Same Car (Madeline Merlo, Sara Haze, Jason Saenz, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne)
  4. Middle of the Bed (Madeline Merlo, Sam Ellis, Kyle Sturrock)
  5. Good Grief (Madeline Merlo, Jimmy Robbins, Anna Vaus, Micah Carpenter)
  6. One House Down (from the girl next door) (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Emily Weisband, James McNair)
Madeline-merlo-ep

Madeline Merlo shares brand new EP, ‘One House Down,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

One House Down is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Madeline Merlo & Dustin Lynch Collaborate on New Song “Broken Heart Thing”

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Madeline Merlo and Dustin Lynch share brand new song “Broken Heart Thing,” out now, August 9th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

The best type of country songs convey a feeling that the listener can relate to, while simultaneously telling a story that feels all too familiar. Madeline Merlo does just that with her brand new song, “Broken Heart Thing.” Additionally, enlisting Dustin Lynch as her duet partner in the new song brings another side to the story, something that fans appreciate in a duet.

“Broken Heart Thing” is a heartbreaking and honest anecdote about how it feels to be nursing a broken heart. Through the push-pull of the song, fans hear the perspective from the woman and the man, as they both find their own ways to cope with the unthinkable. While many songs touch on heartbreak and break-ups, Merlo and Lynch’s new song shows the perspective of someone who’s still getting used to it, someone who maybe has never nursed a broken heart before. The song feels special and vulnerable.

“I never had to tell a lie when my friends ask if I’m alright // Looking like hell on a Tuesday night, just going through the emotions // Never drink jack without the coke // Never burned through a pack of smokes // But tonight I’m adding both to the list // ‘Cause I’m still getting used to this broken heart thing // Sit in the dark thing // Smile when I’m falling apart thing” 

“Broken Heart Thing” is one of the best songs Merlo has put out so far in her career. We love the risks she is taking on this song, and we cannot wait to see how fans react to this duet with Lynch.

madeline-merlo-dustin-lynch-song

Madeline Merlo and Dustin Lynch share new song, “Broken Heart Thing,” out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

To keep up with Dustin Lynch, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“Broken Heart Thing” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Madeline Merlo Shares Brand New Song “makeup”

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new song “makeup,” out now, January 19th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Rising country artist, Madeline Merlo continues to share brand new music. In her blossoming career, Merlo has emerged as an artist who unapologetically speaks her truth, no matter how difficult it may be. To kick off the new year, the songstress is sharing an incredible new song called, “makeup.”

Merlo’s new song, “makeup.” reads like a diary entry from the first heart wrenching lyric. Throughout the song, the singer explores the parts of her that she has come to know. While at first, fans may think the singer is referring to the cosmetic, “makeup,” but Merlo genuinely flips the word, as she sings about her genetic makeup instead.

“Do I hate my body ‘cause my mother hated hers // Bet I can’t control my temper ‘cause my daddy never learned // Could I make love last forever if my parents never could // Will I ever know the difference between good enough and good // Can you change the way you’re made up // If you scrub it hard enough, can you ever wash off // What’s in your makeup, what’s in your makeup”

Merlo continues to show off her undeniable talent release after release. “makeup” is a true standout song that any fan of music should give a listen to. The songstress is the real deal and it is only a matter of time until everyone recognizes her name and her undeniable talent.

Madeline-merlo-makeup

Madeline Merlo shares her new song, “makeup,” out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

“makeup” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Madeline Merlo Releases New Song “Take A Broken Heart”

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new song “Take A Broken Heart,” out now, October 20th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Rising country artist, Madeline Merlo continues to crank out new music. Last month, she shared one of our favorite songs of her to date, a song called, “Tim + Faith,” her first true love song. Today, the singer-songwriter is adding to her growing collection with a brand new song called, “Take A Broken Heart.”

For her newest outing, Merlo gives fan an absolute heartbreak anthem. “Take A Broken Heart” is a reminder to all of us that a heartbreak is going to suck no matter what, so we might as well live our lives to the fullest, the best we can. On the song, the songstress encourages the listener to do whatever feels good, except going back to the one who broke your heart in the first place.

“You can sit there on the couch // crying all alone // You can waste another night, lose another fight, staring at your phone // If you’re hanging with a heartbreak // You don’t gotta stay at home // Cause it’s gonna hurt either way // so just pick it up and go // Take it to the beach // Take it to the bar // Take it for a long drive underneath the stars // Take it to a church service on a Sunday // Take it on a 737 on a runaway”

Merlo continues to show off her undeniable talent release after release. “Take A Broken Heart” marks another incredible song for the rising artist. It is only a matter of time until everyone recognizes her name and her undeniable talent.

Madeline-merlo-song

Madeline Merlo brand new song, “Take A Broken Heart,” is available on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

“Take A Broken Heart” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Madeline-merlo-tim-and-faith

Madeline Merlo Shares New Song “Tim + Faith” Out Now

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new song “Tim + Faith,” out now, September 15th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Rising country artist, Madeline Merlo is back with new music. The singer-songwriter is carrying a bright light with her with each and every release. Her new song, simply titled, “Tim + Faith” depicts falling in love, nostalgia, and everything in between. The release marks Merlo’s first true love song.

“Tim + Faith” pays homage to the love and solidarity between Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Throughout the song, Merlo reminisces about a whirlwind 3 month relationship, where she really thought that they were end game like McGraw and Hill. While the demise of the relationship could have been portrayed as heartbreaking, Merlo decided instead to sing about all the good memories of a relationship that had run its course.

“When I close my eyes // It’s that melody // Oh I can hear us say // It’s your love // It just does something to me // It’s the sound of two hearts getting carried away // Out where the tall grass sways // We were that song // Summer nights and blue jeans // It’s a cowboy kiss a heart don’t forget”

Merlo raises the bar with “Tim + Faith.” The song is one of her best yet, and we are exiting to see what she has coming down the pipeline next.

Madeline-merlo-tim-and-faith

Madeline Merlo releases new song, “Tim + Faith,” out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

“Tim + Faith” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Madeline Merlo Shares New Song “same car” Out Now

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new song “same car,” out now, March 24th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Back in September, we fell in love with Canadian country artist, Madeline Merlo’s EP, Slide. Today the talented songstress is continuing to give fans more and more music. Her relatable and heartbreaking song “same car,” is officially out now.

While the new single may be about a break-up, Merlo’s signature sass and confidence can be felt all throughout the song. Merlo conveys the honesty of falling in love and becoming heartbroken in the same car, in the most relatable way. Despite the heartbreak and the vulnerability of the track, the song feels primed for singing along and screaming to in the car and during live shows.

“You pulled up at my house early that night // but something felt off // You couldn’t even look me in the eyes // when you said “we need to talk” // It went sideways in the driveway, and you never even put it in drive // If I go back take it all back // I’d give back every midnight”

Merlo’s pop-country sound is sure to resonate with fans across the genre. Her ability to both craft a meaningful lyric and deliver vocally is refreshing and intriguing. She is a true artist to look out for this year.

Madeline-merlo-song

Madeline Merlo’s new song, “Same Car” is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

“same car” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Who Is Madeline Merlo? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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Who is Madeline Merlo? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about her journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

who-is-madeline-merlo

Photo by The Dwyers

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Madeline Merlo
Birthday – February 9th
Hometown – Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Music Influences – Rascal Flatts, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Kieth Urban
Label – BBR Music Group
Current project- Slide EP (*as of date of article: 10/31/22)

The Beginning:

There is something exciting about watching Canadian country stars make the move to Nashville to grow and evolve their fanbase. Today, we are highlighting Canadian artist Madeline Merlo and her impressive journey so far.

Growing up in a small town in British Columbia, it was clear from a young age that Merlo was born to be a singer-songwriter. “I grew up in a pretty musical household with all types of genres,” she began. “I listened to a lot of Motown growing up and my mom loved country music, so a lot of Shaina Twain, Dolly, and the older stuff as well as Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, and more.”

At just six years old, Merlo recalls performing on stage for the first time. “I loved singing from a really young age. I performed for the first time at six years old at my kindergarten talent show. I sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz and I remember just feeling this visceral reaction of loving being on stage and wanting to do it more,” she shared.

From that point on, her mom helped her through musical theatre auditions, commercials, singing competitions, and restaurant gigs – wherever she could perform, she did. After attending her first concert at ten years old, Shania Twain, Merlo was even more convinced that country music was her calling. “I am really grateful for that, for having that kind of direction. It wasn’t like a decision sometimes, I think, it was always clear that this is what I was meant to do.”

The Turning Point:

When Merlo turned fifteen, her life started to transform. “I met a songwriter and producer near my hometown, and I started singing demos for him, where I was like ‘what does it look like to write a real song’,” shared the singer. Adding that she finally started writing real songs in high school.

During high school, one of her classmates sent one of her songs, unbeknownst to her, to the local radio station. “It’s a story of a lot of hardworking and tenacity, but certainly luck as well too. There were a lot of God moments sprinkled into my story, especially in the beginning,” began Merlo. “It was within weeks of meeting the radio programmer that I ended up signing a record deal. It was really crazy. I worked with this label called Open Road out of Canada and started putting out music.”

Despite garnering major success in Canada, including Canadian Country awards, playing at every major festival, and charting songs, Merlo had Nashville on her mind. “My heart was really called to be in Nashville, so in 2017, I packed up U-Haul and drove down to Nashville.”

While cutting her teeth in Nashville, Merlo received a message from a casting director, who had reached out to her years prior for a show that was never made. The casting director ended up casting her on Songland. “My manager sent them one song, and they were like ‘Cool, your flight’s tomorrow.’”

She went on to not only win her episode, but Lady A made her song “Champagne Night” their radio single, which eventually spent multiple weeks at number one on the charts. “It blew open so many doors and got me in the room with so many songwriters, and ultimately landed me my record deal with Broken Bow.”

Today:

With a record deal and a supportive team behind her, Merlo has officially begun her rise to country music stardom in the United States. The songstress made her major label debut in September with her EP, Slide. The project features four incredibly well-crafted songs, all co-written by the singer-songwriter.

Each of the four songs shares a different side of Merlo’s one-of-a-kind talent and personality. “For this debut project on this new label and the states, I wanted it to feel diverse and very, very on brand for me and a little tease of what the album looks like,” shared the songstress. The singer admitted that it took a while to truly get the music she wanted, adding that working with Zach Crowell helped her create music that was just right for her project.

When asked about her favorite song, Merlo, understandably, had a hard time choosing. “I love ‘youngish’ so much. I love “Girl Where He Grew Up”, but I think “Slide.” It was the catalyst, it was the first song that Zach and I did together […] When I wrote “Slide” it felt like the first step forward in that direction of where I wanted the project to go.”

Fans can rejoice because Merlo is certainly not done delivering more new music! “We have music locked and loaded ready to go that we’re planning to put out in the New Year.”

Connect:

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

Madeline Merlo’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Madeline-merlo-ep-slide

Madeline Merlo: ‘Slide’ – EP Review

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Madeline Merlo’s new EP, Slide, is out now, September 23rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Canadian star, Madeline Merlo is ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape. After winning her episode of the songwriting show, Songland, the singer-songwriter knew she had what it took to up the ante. Today, Merlo drops her new EP, simply titled, Slide.

In just four songs, the songstress manages to showcase her songwriting chops and her killer vocals. The title track, written by Merlo with Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, and Sam Hunt is our first taste of the record. Although originally developed for Hunt, the writers knew the song would be better from a woman’s perspective. Merlo was clearly the right woman for the job.

“Baby I don’t care // It’s me and you, either way,// Let’s watch the night slide into yesterday”

The singer continues to share female stories throughout the EP. On “YOUNG-ish,” Merlo stakes her claim in her womanhood – encouraging all of us to challenge the misconception that everyone’s path should be the same. An anthemic track, Merlo delivers it just as well as anyone in the industry could.

On our favorite song off the project, “Girl Where He Grew Up,” the singer shares an all-too-relatable story about being the girl before the guy gets his stuff together. We all know what it feels like to be the girl before the next. “Girl Where He Grew Up” is a story about teaching a guy how to love his next girlfriend better.

“You can thank me if that boy knows how to love // I’m the girl where he grew up // I bet out of the blue, he tells you you’re pretty // I bet he checks in when he’s out late with his buddy // I bet his eyes don’t wander when he’s drinking a whisky // Yeah he learned it the hard way, the moment he lost me”

The record wraps up with the final song on the project, “I Need A Drink.” Written by the singer with incredible songwriters, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, and Hillary Lindsey, the song is all about the hope we feel when we meet a new love interest. The song is pure, honest, and catchy.

Merlo knocks it out of the park with her Slide EP. Each and every song is methodically placed. It is the perfect introduction for new fans and audiences in American country music.

Madeline Merlo – Slide EP Tracklist:

  1. “Slide” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Sam Hunt)
  2.  “YOUNG-ish” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Jerry Flowers)
  3. “Girl Where He Grew Up” (Madeline Merlo, Nathan Chapman, Jon Nite)
  4. “I Need A Drink” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey)
Madeline-merlo-slide-ep

Madeline Merlo’s brand new EP, ‘Slide’ is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or Twitter. 

Slide is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.