2024 CCMA Female Artist of the Year nominee Madeline Merlo has announced her latest project, ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door), out October 11. A profound six-track exploration of the non-linear healing cycle after a breakup, the narrative is built around the universal experience of moving on from a once-promising relationship, and the poignant melancholy of adjusting to new realities.
Pre-save ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) here.
Ahead of the EP release, Madeline Merlo teamed up with MULTI-PLATINUM, 9x #1 hitmaker Dustin Lynch for its lead track, “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch)”. The song explores both sides of a recent heartbreak and how they’re both still getting used to the relationship falling apart. The melancholy melody serves up a storyline that perfectly complements the vulnerable moments captured on this recording. The official music video for the track, directed by Jack Owens, is also available to watch here.
“A huge thank you to Dustin Lynch for lending his signature vocals to this song, one that delves into the complexities of navigating life right after a broken heart,” said Merlo. “It’s a relatable journey that I’m hoping people can find some sense of not being alone in that feeling when they hear this song.”
“I’ve gotten a chance to invite Madeline out a few times now to perform with me, so I was honored to be asked to jump on this song with her,” shared Lynch. “I love how our voices blend on this track, and the power in her vulnerability. It’s so relatable and I’m looking forward to seeing how this one connects!”
ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) tracklisting:
- Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch) (Madeline Merlo, James McNair, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman, Zach Crowell)
- Bar Fight (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Claire Douglas)
- Same Car (Madeline Merlo, Sara Haze, Jason Saenz, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne)
- Middle of the Bed (Madeline Merlo, Sam Ellis, Kyle Sturrock)
- Good Grief (Madeline Merlo, Jimmy Robbins, Anna Vaus, Micah Carpenter)
- One House Down (from the girl next door) (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Emily Weisband, James McNair)
From the rawness of a breakup in “Broken Heart Thing”, and the hidden battle between heart and mind in “Bar Fight”, to the acceptance found in “Good Grief”, Merlo’s forthcoming project embodies a narrative of authenticity, vulnerability, and imperfection. It’s a record that speaks directly to anyone who’s had to pick themselves up after heartbreak.
Having “already proven her songwriting chops” (Billboard), Merlo, a 2024 CMT “Next Women of Country,” has “long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). Similar to her critically acclaimed label-debut EP, Slide, that scored her praise from Billboard, E! News, PopCulture, Music Row and more, Merlo continues to build her niche as a songwriter and artist, as she brings to life powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up and to the lessons learned in-between. “…Ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape” (Country Swag), the “rising country star” (People) will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut with Dustin Lynch on October 16.
ABOUT MADELINE MERLO:
With a crystalline Country vocal and an international rep for writing vivid scenes of emotional insight, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville recording artist Madeline Merlo is a rising star with an old soul and a new school style. Already a Platinum-certified No. 1 songwriter poised to be a breakout artist, Merlo’s new project ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) finds a self-described deep-feeler offering a message of encouragement to her younger self – and to all those who feel “a little different.” A small town native helming from the blueberry fields of British Columbia, Merlo recalls countless holiday family sing-alongs soaked in a musical mix of classic soul and R&B – plus ‘90s country and the powerhouse vocals of everyone from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and Faith Hill.
After attending a Shania Twain concert as her first show, she proclaimed her intention to be a singer on a second-grade school project – and her songwriting habit began early, too. Merlo started visiting Nashville on songwriting trips at just 16, signed a record deal at 18, and found fast success at Canadian country radio, earning the CCMA Rising Star award in 2015. By 2020 she was competing on Season 2 of NBC songwriting reality series Songland – and with the dressed-down anthem of easy confidence, “Champagne Night,” she came out a winner. The track went on to become a Platinum-certified three-week No. 1 for Lady A, opening the door for Merlo’s artistic dreams. The sassy country/funk and soul single “It Didn’t” has racked up more than 10 million Spotify streams to date, and Merlo followed with the gravel-road pop of her Slide EP in 2022. Now, after being named to CMT Next Women of Country class of 2024, she calls ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) her most emotionally insightful project yet – a six-song message of self-worth that comes with a superstar boost and plays to her creative strength. The first peek into her forthcoming project arrived August 9th with the melodic “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch),” and the full project will be available October 11th. Merlo can be found on the road throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer. For more information, visit her website.