MUSIC REVIEW: MADELINE MERLO – Slide [EP]

Label: This Is Hit, Inc. d/b/a Wheelhouse Records

Release Date: September 23, 2022

Rating: 89%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Some Country artists are in my wheel house and others aren’t and I know it right away.  There is something about newcomer Madeline Merlo that literally slid her into my listening rotation.  Here EP is four tracks of country pop goodness that make this accessible across the two genres without giving up her influences love of Country music.  Disc opener and title track “Slide” is the female response to every guy track that talks about sugar shakers, country girls, truck rides into a field, etc.  Merlo makes no secret that she can be just as much fun and invite the party to join her as she moves through life.  Her vocals are crisp and add punch to the lyric and overall vibe of the track.  “YOUNG-ish” has a contagious groove thanks to the drums and bass that lead the track sonically before Madeline’s vocals and the guitars swirl perfectly in the mix driving us from the verse to the chorus and back again.  The lyrics are fun and round out the songs feel good vibe.  This one grows on me a little more with each listen.  “Girl Where He Grew Up” is a familiar track in ideology, but the fun cadence and tempo of the track helps this one stand out from other songs with a similar message.  The darker sound of the rhythm section and chugging guitars add a depth to the track that perfectly supports Merlo’s vocals.  There is something deep in the sound that helps drive the emotional delivery of the lyrics.  Disc closer “I Need A Drink” is a the perfect track to end this short collection and leave you wanting more from Madeline.  This is that one song that is guaranteed to get hands, phones, and drinks in the air in a live situation.

Tracklisting: Slide – YOUNG-ish – Girl Where He Grew Up – I Need A Drink

MADELINE MERLO LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

SLIDE – ITUNES

Category: CD Reviews