A slow-burning EP that leans into space and silence, letting raw emotion take center stage.
By: Robert Solomon
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Melissa Engleman isn’t one to rush. Every note, every lyric, every breath on her latest EP, Love (Indiegogo Version) feels painstakingly considered, like pages from a journal revisited and revised over time. The EP unfolds at its own pace, meandering through alt-country, folk, and blues with a quiet confidence, as if Engleman understands that real emotion doesn’t need embellishment—it just needs space to breathe. But despite her small catalog, she’s slowly but steadily finding her voice and her place in a lineage of songwriters who understand restraint as an art form.
That voice is clearer than it’s ever been on Love (Indiegogo Version), where she approaches songwriting with the assuredness of someone who has learned that time doesn’t dull emotion; it distills it. “For As Long As My Heart Would Let Me,” the country-inflected opener, sets the tone for the entire EP. The poetic title alone hints at the weight of its storytelling—one of heartache, resilience, and the inevitability of moving on, even when it feels impossible. A steady acoustic strum anchors Engleman’s intimate delivery, while pedal steel shimmers like the ghost of an old flame. Her voice, warm but world-weary, brims with a raw, unguarded honesty that immediately draws you in.
That same honesty courses through “Waiting For You,” a haunting ballad that strips everything down to its barest elements. Over delicate arpeggios and hushed atmospherics, Engleman paints a picture of longing that is as painful as it is beautiful. It’s the kind of song that lingers long after it ends, like the echo of a love never fully realized. There’s a cinematic quality to it, evoking the slow pull of headlights fading into the night. Unlike so many songs about waiting, there’s no resolution here—just a question hanging in the air, unanswered.
With “In The Quiet,” Engleman turns inward, crafting a meditative reflection on silencing external noise—both literal and metaphorical. The song’s gentle instrumentation mirrors its message, wrapping the listener in a cocoon of self-reflection and acceptance. “In the quiet / In the quiet / In the quiet ” she sings the chorus, her voice barely above a whisper. It’s a sentiment that feels earned rather than offered as easy comfort.
Meanwhile, “Say Goodbye” takes a different turn, channeling alt-country influences into a track that’s both melancholic and empowering. It’s a reminder that letting go isn’t just about endings—it’s about making space for something new. There’s a defiant streak in her voice here, a weariness giving way to quiet resolve. The steady percussion and subtle electric flourishes bring a touch of grit to Engleman’s otherwise delicate sonic palette, making it one of the EP’s most immediate standouts.
The true hidden gem of the EP, “Those Things,” offers a deceptive contrast. A breezy ukulele melody gives the song a lighthearted, almost playful feel, but beneath the surface, Engleman delivers some of her most cutting lyrics. The juxtaposition of wistful optimism and melancholy makes for one of the most affecting moments on Love (Indiegogo Version).
For an artist who once struggled with shyness, Engleman’s evolution is striking. Having built a reputation in Austin’s music scene over the past 14 years, she now delivers songs with the confidence of someone who has found both her voice and her purpose.
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