Multi-platinum, #1 hit songwriter Madeline Merlo and rising star solo artist has just [October 2024] released her latest project, a superb six-track EP, “One House Down From The Girl Next Door”.
Hot contender for many “best of” lists at the end of this year, for sure. Madeline co-wrote all six tracks on the project with a who’s who of top end Nashville songwriters, all of which were produced by Zach Crowell.
The songs on the record described as, “Divulging her most authentic self, exposing her own vulnerabilities and imperfections, the project is a profound exploration of the brutal healing cycle after a breakup – moving on from a once-promising relationship, the poignant melancholy of adjusting to new realities to triumphantly keeping the past in the past and looking forward.”
This year alone, she was named to CMT’s 2024 Next Women of Country, been out on the road with Jelly Roll, Dustin Lynch, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Scotty McCreery and Dylan Scott as well as expanded her creative horizons, having just released her exclusive jewellery collection.
Nashville-based, Canada-born, Madeline is continuing to capture those pivotal moments in life, from budding romances, to growing up and the lessons learned in-between, and the two-time CCMA winner and 2024 CCMA Female Artist of the Year nominee has already proven her song writing prowess.
After attending a Shania Twain concert as her first show, she proclaimed her intention to be a singer on a second-grade school project – and her song writing habit began early, too. Ms Merlo started visiting Nashville on song writing trips at just 16, signed a record deal at 18, and found fast success at Canadian country radio, earning the CCMA Rising Star award in 2015.
By 2020 she was competing on Season 2 of NBC songwriting reality series “Songland” – and with the dressed-down anthem of easy confidence, “Champagne Night,” she came out a winner. The track went on to become a Platinum-certified three-week No. 1 for Lady A [a group previously called Lady Antebelum], opening the door for Merlo’s artistic dreams.
The sassy country/funk and soul single “It Didn’t” has racked up more than 10 million Spotify streams to date, and Merlo followed with the gravel-road pop of her “Slide” EP in 2022.
With a crystalline country vocal and an international reputation for writing vivid scenes of emotional insight, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville recording artist Madeline Merlo is a rising star with an old soul and a new school style.
Poised to be a breakout artist, Merlo’s new EP finds a self-described deep-feeler offering a message of encouragement to her younger self – and to all those who feel “a little different.”
A small town native helming from the blueberry fields of British Columbia, Merlo recalls countless holiday family sing-alongs soaked in a musical mix of classic soul and r&b – plus ’90s country and the powerhouse vocals of everyone from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and Faith Hill.
The first peek into her EP collection arrived back in August with the melodic and cracking single, “Broken Heart Thing”, featuring country superstar Dustin Lynch who has achieved 10 #1s; four top 5 albums; 10 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certified singles; and tallying more than 4.4 billion cumulative global streams. His Top 10-and-climbing single “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll),” from sixth studio album “Killed The Cowboy” is currently making a statement.
Madeline’s and Dustin’s voices blend wonderfully on “Broken Heart Thing”, which explores both sides of a recent heartbreak and how they’re both still getting used to the relationship falling apart. The melancholy melody serves up a storyline that perfectly complements the vulnerable moments captured on this recording. The official music video for the track, was directed by Jack Owens.
Madeline says: “A huge thank you to Dustin Lynch for lending his signature vocals to this song, one that delves into the complexities of navigating life right after a broken heart. It’s a relatable journey that I’m hoping people can find some sense of not being alone in that feeling when they hear this song.”
On the EP’s release day, Madeline commented: “I am so excited that this little project I’ve held close to my chest for quite some time is finally yours too. My hope is that you heal, relate and feel encouraged to find your voice in the pursuit of love.
“I am so proud of these songs and grateful to all the songwriters, musicians and my producer, Zach Crowell, for helping me create it. And to all my friends who also feel like they’re one house down from the girl next door – I hope it helps you embrace who you are.”
- “One House Down From The Girl Next Door” track listing:
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’s “Track Record”…
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“I Wish” by Stevie Wonder.
2. First single you owned?
I don’t actually remember the first single I owned.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“Up” by Shania Twain.
4. First CD you owned?
“Up” by Shania Twain.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“Noah Kahan: “Stick Season” (Vinyl)
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
Kacey Musgraves: “Deeper Well” (Vinyl).
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac, “Same Trailer Different Park” by Kacey Musgraves, “Born & Raised” by John Mayer, “Come On Over” by Shania Twain, “Tapestry” by Carol King, “Channel Orange” by Frank Ocean.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac, “Come On Over” by Shania Twain, “1989” by Taylor Swift.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
Love me a musical soundtrack, especially “Hamilton” or “Wicked”.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music has been such a big part of my identity for my entire life. I am always a music lover before anything else. Music transcends language and culture.
It’s the ultimate communicator and a party would be very boring without it. I have always been deeply affected by music since I was a little girl and it is still my very favourite thing today.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Pink Pony Club” by Chappel Roan.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“One House Down (from the girl next door)” by Madeline Merlo.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
Best road-trip driving album is “Paradise Valley” by John Mayer. Best workout music is “Reputation” by Taylor Swift.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young, “Lady May” by Tyler Childress, “Invisible String” by Taylor Swift.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“Long Haul” by Ian Munsick.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
Listening to “Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain in the car with my mom.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Fleetwood Mac, Rascal Flatts, The Beatles, Paramore, Kings of Leon.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Aretha Franklin, Carrie Underwood, Tori Kelly, Etta James, Martina McBride, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Stapleton, Donny Hathaway, Dan & Shay.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Vienna” by Billy Joel.
Photos by Robby Klein
