Pulling sonic influences from a wide array of sources, Sydney’s Melita has unveiled her debut EP titled ‘Hearticulate’. With comparisons being drawn to artists including Silk Sonic, Parcels, and Tom Misch, Melita’s glossy vocal performance is a highlight across the release, backed strongly by glorious soul, funk and R&B rhythms.
Starting with the swirling ‘Greetings’, the seven-track ‘Hearticulate’ EP then rolls into the title-track, engulfing listeners with Melita’s warm and oh-so-smooth vocals. ‘Delusional’, ‘Crystal Logic’ and ‘Smile’ continue to showcase Melita’s lush vocal range, with ‘Saturn Blues’ picking up the tempo for a funk-inspired number, before rounding out with the climatic and ethereal ‘Hold On To My Mind’.
Inspired by the core memories, moments, and realizations of her late teenhood and early adulthood, Melita has created ‘Hearticulate’ as a way to encapsulate and outlay the emotions felt during this coming-of-age period. Written in her bedroom, as an outlet to understand her feelings and ultimately herself, the EP is defined by the songwriting and production skills of herself and her brother Alex Ertler, who grew up on their love for 70s soul, funk and rock. Starting life on her bedroom piano, all of the tracks on ‘Hearticulate’ grew into something bigger when combined with Alex’s musicianship and John Ertler’s (Renee Geyer, Doug Parkinson, Marty Rhone) mixing and mastering.
Speaking about the EP, Melita explained, “This EP is a collection of songs that navigates through defining moments and realizations during my late teenhood to early adulthood. Themes of confusion, growth and matters of the heart litter these songs which were all written on my bedroom piano and recorded with my brother. I felt that 'Hearticulate' was such a perfect term to encapsulate what this debut body of work is to me. I’ve always used songwriting as a tool for self-discovery - a way to sift through complex emotions and reveal illuminating truths.”
“All of these tunes were recorded between my brother and I at our home studios. I’ll usually whip up a guide demo and arrange the parts and then Alex will replace some of the instruments and we collaborate from there. We grew up on the same music and have such a love for 70s soul, funk and rock so it’s always an exciting process creating with someone so in tune with my influences.”
In celebration of the “Hearticulate’ EP release, Melita will also be performing at Sydney’s iconic The Red Rattler on its release day; Friday, June 16th. Showcasing the EP’s in its full entirety, she will also be joined by a groovin’ and funky collection of supports, with Kosher Groove and Ellen Mara opening the night. The performance will also be Melita’s opportunity to showcase the tracks in a live, full band setting for the first time.
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