Pre-Save/Pre-Add Slide HERE
NBC’s Songland winner Madeline Merlo will release her spirited four-track EP Slide next Friday, September 23. The award-winning songwriter “has long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter).
Vastly produced by Zach Crowell (Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch) and backed by iridescent beats, the new project — entirely co-written by Merlo — delivers powerful female stories, from budding romances to growing up to the lessons learned in-between.
“Releasing this music is such an exciting next step in my career,” says Merlo. “I am so proud of these songs and the creative growth in my artistry. Zach Crowell has been the key to finding my sound, and I’m so grateful for my label for giving us the trust and time to pursue that. I hope people can feel all the blood, sweat, and joy that went into this project.”
The title track “Slide” – written by Merlo, Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell and Jerry Flowers (Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Sam Hunt) – was originally a song Hunt was writing for himself, but as the song developed, he and Crowell knew it would be better suited for a female artist. Enter Madeline, who jumped at the chance to join the writer’s room to finish the playful tune.
On the Shania Twain-inspired “YOUNG-ish,” Merlo dives into the misconception that everyone’s path should be similar. Whether you’re married and having babies or regularly hitting up Lower Broadway, the relatable track is an anthem that no one path is the “right” path.
“Girl Where He Grew Up” is about the girl who teaches the guy how to love his next girlfriend, hitting home with the solemnly powerful hook of “I didn’t get the flowers, but you will.”
Finally, the EP wraps with “I Need A Drink.” Written by Merlo with prolific No. 1 powerhouses Crowell, Ashley Gorley (Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett) and Hillary Lindsey (Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lady A), the catchy tune captures the magnetic connection of wanting to be wherever your significant other is.
After scoring four Top 15 Country radio singles on the Canadian airwaves and winning the Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) Rising Star Award and Songwriter of the Year Award (plus being nominated twice for Female Artist of the Year), the “breakout talent” (American Songwriter) has been dominating her jump from Canadian success to Music City stardom.
Winner of the season 2 premiere of the NBC songwriting reality TV series Songland, the Canadian songstress’ captivating track “Champagne Night,” recorded and released by Lady A, went on to be a three-week No. 1 song on US Country radio and is the song that earned her, along with her co-writers, the 2021 CCMA Award for Songwriter of the Year.
Slide EP Track Listing:
- “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)
Produced by Zach Crowell
^ Co-produced by Zach Crowell and Jerry Flowers
* Co-produced by Zach Crowell and Nathan Chapman