Melissa Engleman’s ‘Love (Indiegogo Version)’ is a poignant journey, as its soul-stirring songs feel like an unhurried reminiscence with a wise friend. This EP is part of a larger project that examines love, loss, and transformation. It was recorded in stages at Plaid Dog Studios in Boston and Austin and includes melodies that fuse alt-country, folk, and blues. Melissa’s voice, reminiscent of an angel’s, contains both raw and gentle grittiness that makes every track feel deeply autobiographical. “For As Long As My Heart Would Let Me” begins the EP with a country-inspired piece. The sound sets the tune, while the lyrics woven with the treasured tale of heartache have a tinge of nostalgic pain. Her unparalleled rawness and fresh approach breathe life into the song. Just like the rest of the album, this melody also conveys a story that pulls you in like a love that you know should have ended far too soon.
“Waiting For You” is deeply emotional and melancholic. In this piece, the writer pours her soul out for someone distant. Stripped of its ornate production, this arpeggio makes her one-sided love shine like never before, and her powerful vocals give an intimate feeling as if you are cozied up blanket on a chilly day. “In The Quiet” heads inwards. It teaches us how to mute negative opinions from the external world or even within us. The instrumentation is mild, yet unrelenting. It puts us in a mental state which feels safe and guarded. Self-reflection becomes easy, and the idea of self-acceptance can be felt long after the self-soothing song has ended. “Say Goodbye” has hints of the 90s in it. The emulated melodies are both nostalgically empowering and motivational at the same time. Letting go is not only applicable to relationships but is also an idea that love needs to be sourced from someone else. This is the sort of track where you can lower your car windows while feeling intertwined with sadness and freedom.
“Those Things” is a masterpiece hidden in the album. The ukulele is misleading, as it gives the song a naive and carefree vibe, but the lyrics in the back are delivered with a shattering power. It serves as a personal motto for so many of us. It is a song that reminds us that even in dismal times, we can cling to hope. What makes ‘Love (Indiegogo Version)’ remarkable is Melissa’s ability to intricately interweave pain with hope. Alongside surviving a cancer diagnosis and pandemic delays, she has showcased an EP that is affixed to her personal story while also relatable to different people. She is unapologetically honest which invites her audiences to be honest in return.
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