Melanie MacLaren’s natural aptitude for nuanced delivery, wistful guitar playing, and her ability to write about life as if life were simply writing itself are everything you could want from a modern folk musician. She released her stunning debut EP “Kill My Time” in 2022 independently to enthusiastic critical reception before gaining the attention of Tone Tree Distribution in Nashville. Within a few months of the release, she had signed with Tone Tree, landed several coveted playlist spots, and released a second EP of duets entitled Tadpole Emporium with established Dublin songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly, which they toured together in the UK and Ireland. Melanie released her second solo EP, Tourist, in April 2023.
In October of 2024, MacLaren released her Bloodlust EP. The title track from this project is a stunning example of Maclaren’s elegant approach to modern folk. You are immediately drawn in by the quaint warmth of her voice and how it dances with the simplistic yet potent acoustics, and just as you drift away, the lyrics start to take shape. The vivid imagery and palpable emotions MacLaren employs separate her from her folk peers in a refreshing take on the burgeoning scene. Once the lyrics begin to paint a lovely image of heartbreak, a distorted guitar, and thudding drums are thrown in to elevate the captivating storytelling. MacLaren can spin her emotions into moving poetry, which is already an impressive feat for a young artist, but how she structures her tones shows signs of a studied veteran. “Bloodlust” is a stand-out performance by a young folk artist who cuts through the noise of a busy scene by simply trusting her instincts. MacLaren’s new EP positions the artist as a soon-to-be undeniable figure in folk music, and she is just getting started.
