Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Melanie Pierce – fool (2023)

For 10 years (give or take), singer-songwriter Melanie Pierce has been captivating audiences with her intriguing music. Her confident performances as both part of a band and as a solo artist see her described as engaging, down-to-earth and enchanting. Yet, it is not only her prowess on stage that wins hearts; her online streaming is turning heads across the globe. For the past three years, Pierce has released critically acclaimed singles reaching listeners far beyond her US borders. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘fool’.

Following her well-received track ‘flame’, ‘fool’ is Pierce’s second single of 2023 and sees her re-emerge from a two-year break. Moving from the upbeat pop style of 2020’s ‘Your Grave’ and ‘Illusions’, ‘flame’ and ‘fool’ show an evolution in her sound. Less hyped than before, Pierce breaks from commercial pop embracing a slower, heavier, darker tone leaning toward rock, particularly in the grittier ‘fool’.

Tasting various flavours of rock with the darkness of grunge and power of indie-rock woven into charming folk, ‘fool’ brings obscurity to Pierce’s diverse soundscape. In an acoustic-inspired tune, a piano drives the song with a bassline of drums and interspersed percussion lurking in the background. The arrangement might seem minimalistic from the outset but as we continue the instruments create a kaleidoscopic rush of organic sound.

While the melody alone can captivate you with the acoustic arrangement, it is the darkness of the tone that gives ‘fool’ an edge. Any brand of folk is enchanting; however, the heavy grittiness of the melody seeps through with a grunge quality. A mellifluous combination of profound light and dark complements the deeper theme of the track. Pierce explains, “This song was written about being encapsulated by a deep core knowledge and an extraordinary love/compatibility with all of the lustful feelings associated with that.”

Sincere, sentimental and slightly eerie, Melanie Pierce releases her single ‘fool’. With her upcoming EP Stir Crazy set for release next month, I am excited to hear more from this talented musician.


Find out more about Melanie Pierce on her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator