Slide (Madeline Merlo EP)

Slide is the second extended play by Canadian country artist Madeline Merlo. It was released on September 23, 2022, via Wheelhouse Records, and marks Merlo's debut release in the United States.[1] She co-wrote every song on the project.[2] The title track was released as a single to Canadian country radio.[3][4]

Slide
EP by
Madeline Merlo
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2022
GenreCountry pop
Length24:56
LabelWheelhouse
Producer
Madeline Merlo chronology
Free Soul
(2016)		 Slide
(2022)
Singles from Slide
  1. "Slide"
    Released: December 27, 2022

Background and promotion

Merlo signed with the BBR Music Group in 2020 and took extra time to write songs before releasing the extended play.[5] She felt that she initially put too much pressure on herself, before refocusing with the help of her new producer Zach Crowell. She remarked that it "started to start to sound like me and this kind of next step and evolution that I was hoping for," after some time and that the title track "Slide" was the first song that "felt right".[5] The songs are intended to be included on a full-length album, with Merlo remarking that she wanted to "tease what the rest of the album would be like".[6] She was very thankful that her label gave her "the trust and time to pursue" the sound she wanted.[7]

Merlo performed a live acoustic version of the title track on KTLA as part of their "Music Fest Friday" series on September 30, 2022.[8]

Content

The title track "Slide" was initially co-written by American country artist Sam Hunt alongside Crowell and Jerry Flowers. They had intended for the song to be for Hunt, but felt early on during the writing process that it was more of a feminine song, and Crowell asked Merlo if she was interested in joining them to finish the song.[6] In regard to "YOUNG-ish," Merlo stated that she is "passionate about writing songs with strong female characters."[9] "Girl Where He Grew Up" was not meant to be included on the EP, but after it received plenty of attention on TikTok earlier in the year, Merlo decided to ask her label to replace the original track four with it, which they agreed to do.[10]

Critical reception

Erica Zisman of Country Swag reviewed the project favourably, saying Merlo "manages to showcase her songwriting chops and her killer vocals," adding that "each and every song is methodically placed," and that it was "the perfect introduction for new fans and audiences in American country music."[11] James Daykin of Entertainment Focus also gave a positive review of Slide, writing that Merlo "delivers powerful female stories, from budding romances to growing up to the lessons learned in-between."[12] Stephen Andrew of PopCulture stated that the four songs "are incredibly eclectic examples of pop-flavored country."[1]

Track listing
Slide
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Slide"Madeline Merlo, Jerry Flowers, Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell3:34
2."YOUNG-ish"Merlo, Flowers, Crowell, Josh Osborne3:29
3."Girl Where He Grew Up"Merlo, Jon Nite, Nathan Chapman3:10
4."I Need a Drink"Merlo, Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey3:10
Total length:13:26

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.[13]

Charts

Singles
Chart performance for singles from Slide
Year Single Peak chart positions
CAN
Country
[14]
2022 "Slide" 6

Release history
Release formats for Slide
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 23, 2022 Digital download Wheelhouse Records [15]
Streaming

References
  1. Andrew, Stephen (September 25, 2022). "Songland' Winner Madeline Merlo on Working With Sam Hunt on New 'Slide' EP: 'It Was an Amazing Phone Call to Get' (Exclusive)". Popculture. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  2. "Slide - EP by Madeline Merlo". Spotify. September 23, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  3. "Pick of the Week – Madeline Merlo "Slide"". Top Country. January 27, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  4. "Madeline Merlo Slides Into Top Spot With Radio Release of New Single". Imprint Entertainment. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  5. O'Connell, Madeleine (October 6, 2022). "Madeline Merlo Opens New Chapter Of Creativity With Latest EP, 'Slide': 'It's Been A Long Process'". Country Now. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  6. Konicki, Lisa (November 26, 2022). "Madeline Merlo's Road to Nashville Leads to New EP, 'Slide'". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  7. Hollabaugh, Lorie (September 13, 2022). "Madeline Merlo 'Slides' Into A New Chapter With Upcoming EP". Music Row Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  8. Chacon, Pablo; Chan, Tammy; Parker, Lu; Walker, Glen (September 30, 2022). "Music Fest Fridays: Madeline Merlo performs 'Slide' from new E.P." KTLA. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  9. Mitz, Roman (November 15, 2022). "Madeline Merlo Rides High With 'Slide'". The Music Express. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  10. Weishar, Jenna (September 23, 2022). "Madeline Merlo Releases Brand New EP "Slide"". Front Porch Music. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  11. Zisman, Erica (September 23, 2022). "Madeline Merlo: 'Slide' – EP Review". Country Swag. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  12. Daykin, James (September 27, 2022). "Madeline Merlo Releases Powerful New EP 'Slide' Featuring Co-Writers Like Sam Hunt & Ashley Gorley". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  13. "Slide - Madeline Merlo, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  14. "Canada Country chart for April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  15. "Slide - EP by Madeline Merlo". Apple Music. September 23, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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