Melatti Braam, a songwriter and multi-talented musician from Delft, Netherlands, is the creative architect behind MARDHYS, a sound that is multitudinous, multi-tiered, unambiguously artistic as she delivers the a darker side of modern folk.
We first witnessed the poetic sound of MARDHYS at a charity event organized by students from the ACM [Academy of Contemporary Music] at the Electric Theatre in Guildford, Surrey in 2017. We described the sound as a “haunting veil of harmonies…”
The latest album, “White Flower Black Fruit” is out now. The new disc chronicles a young woman’s experience of being shamed for her vulnerability. A non-consensual nude photo sharing event sparks a series of identity and existential crises. The woman departs her homeland and, from abroad, she composes songs that reveal her quest for truth, independence, and purpose. This was a journey that was undertaken as much for survival as it was for the recovery of her voice.
The song-narratives on the album tread the communities that this young woman sought; intertwined with varied musical elements (from the places visited) and her own profound personal mythology. Thus, the song-writing is illusionistic and immersive, as the songs illustrate how weakness can become inner-power, and the same inner power will lead to nourishing parts of self.
The song “Nice to Meet You” features dark, ribbon-like elements that weave through a shifting terrain of auditory textures. The vocal performances are delicate and ethereal, yet the piece possesses sufficient depth and emotion to be profoundly moving due to the raw exposure of the voice and the potential sorrow of the musicianship.
A haunting start to “Old John” gives way to developing, slightly Western rhythms, which slide into a cantering, more hopeful future.
“Road House” conjures a dreamy, introspective mood, featuring atmospheric soundscapes that drift through a South American-influenced aesthetic that’s rich with detailed texture and vibrant emerald moodiness.
“Over The Hill” chugs like a rickety steam engine on an unstable rail-track, featuring wheezing, panting cloudy keys, complex rhythms, and a smooth, velvety voice. Here is a heart-warming snuggle of burgeoning hope.
Get MARDHYS White Flower Black Fruit here: https://mard-hys.bandcamp.com/album/white-flower-black-fruit
Words:© Neil Mach
Main photo: © Mark Marlon
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