Emmy Meli - Hello Stranger EP 
Release Date: Out Now
This is the debut EP from rising American star Emmy Meli and she seems to be getting her music out on the road as well which is no small task in the big ol' U S of A. The 'Hello Stranger' EP opens with the title track, a cover of Barbara Lewis' 1961 song before blending seamlessly into 'Silence', mixing soul, R&B and an alt-pop edge that is pitched somewhere between Janelle Monae and Amy Winehouse - it's a strong start. 'Breakthrough' swaggers and sways, brimming with confidence a la Meghan Trainor or Cee Lo Green as the Motown horns and funky rhythm section get straight to work on your hips.
On 'Happy Ending', a spooky sample is soon blasted away by the uber-cool jazz-soul sway before 'Aura' jumps in and provides a warm summer breeze of a song that demands you add it to your playlist for cruising in your car on the sunny afternoons. There is a real Motown meets funk vibe to 'Hands Off Me' that evokes images of balmy afternoons sitting out on the front steps with scratchy record players sending music drifting out in to the sunshine. The EP finishes on 'Dear Little Me', the mellowest track on this collection but still infused with subtle cool and a strong sense of authenticity which is what makes Emmy Meli stand out from her contemporaries. Great tunes, huge soul and a strong work ethic - I predict big things. Big things indeed.
More information: https://x.com/emmymelimusic?s=20
Live Dates:
21st May - Bowery Ballroom, New York
22nd May - Crystal Ballroom, Somerville
28th May - Schubas Tavern, Chicago
29th May - 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
1st June - Kilby Court, Salt Lake City
3rd June - Commonwealth Bar & Stage, Calgary
5th June - Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver
6th June - Barboza, Seattle
8th June - Echoplex, Los Angeles
9th June - Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco