Proving you don’t need the backing or budget of a big record label, Melita has really impressed me with her debut EP Hearticulate. The Eora/Sydney-based chanteuse recorded this EP with her brother Alex Ertler in their home studio. But listening to this slick, neo-soul affair, you wouldn’t guess at its humble origins.
Melita effortlessly blends fresh neo-soul sounds with classic funk, disco, and yacht rock influences. The ethereal “Greeting” is the ideal introduction, putting Melita’s voice front and centre before we settle into the easy groove of the title track. It flows naturally into “Delusional,” which has some of the most relatable lyrics on the EP. Melita amps up the energy with “Crystal Logic,” a funky floor-filling homage to the disco era before easing us back into a gentler groove with “Behind My Smile” and “Saturn Blues.” In some ways “Hold On to My Mind” is a subtle closer, but while it’s got a mellow groove it’s also probably the most musically complex track on this EP. I could hear the influence of artists like Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs come through, but Melita’s interpreted their sounds in such an exciting new way.
Hearticulate doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it doesn’t need them. Melita’s stunning voice is an anchor, impressing on each and every track. This EP is a great introduction to a fantastic new talent.
Images used with permission from beehive; main image credit: James Tarbotton