Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Melissa Mary Ahern has made a name for herself through a series of releases and collaborations. After working with Sufjan Stevens and Doveman on Christmas song ‘‘Lonely Man of Winter’, she went on to release a number of her own songs that set out her distinctively emotive yet varied style. So while the tracks of Maria, Maria introduced the warmth of her croon, there was also a moodier side the sound, what we described as “memories with the claws left on.” But follow-up single ‘How Will I Know’ chose to iron out such edges, committing totally to a nostalgic golden air.
Last autumn, Ahern signed with indie stalwarts Fatcat Records, with plans to release several more singles in preparation for a full-length album. The first taste of the partnership, ‘Hard Luck in Love’ furthered the smoky fondness of the vocal style, and displayed a careful hand in utilising space to convey emotion.
The most recent single, ‘Stone by Stone’ sees a similar use of simplicity to craft its atmosphere, though there is a starker quality to the timbre. The result is the most haunting song from Melissa Mary Ahearn so far, skeletal electric guitar and sparse shuffling drums imbuing a lingering loneliness that calls to mind some Lynchian crooner, sashaying upon a half-lit stage.
‘Stone By Stone’ is out now on Fatcat Records and you can find Melissa Mary Ahern on Bandcamp.