Drawing us in with a textured drum’n’bass beat, meelu opens candlelight with a trippy, high-octane energy and delicate, atmospheric vocals as she shares situational, self-reflective prose. The opus expands with a tangible, alt-folk charm with cinematic allure, and we are hypnotized.
We appreciate the poetic prowess and there is no doubt that the song would be perfect for a sync placement in an existential TV show like PLUR1BUS or Nine Perfect Strangers. As for the message of the song, we learn that candlelight was written after the loss of meelu‘s grandmother.
meelu shares how her passing made it difficult to return to life in the same way, until she had the realization that “those we lose would want us to keep living, and to celebrate them.” The lyrics remind us that life goes beyond the human experience and meelu tells us how her grandmother’s chosen gravestone words, “I am not leaving you, I am just going before you“, became the emotional anchor of the track.
The rising artist says, “candlelight is a song about grief – but also about celebration. It reflects the sacredness of loving and being loved, and the importance of honouring the people we’ve lost by continuing to live fully.”
The production choice is innovative and unique, giving meelu a sonic identity of her own, although fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Maggie Rogers, Lizzy McAlpine, and Gracie Abrams would also be able to connect with what meelu is creating.
meelu is a South African-born artist whose debut Slowburner reached the SA Top 40 Indie Chart, followed by hi “love“, which topped the Indie Chart and was featured in the German Netflix film Mädchen Mädchen. She has also performed at major festivals in the UK and South Africa and supported artists like Jeremy Loops, GoodLuck, and Casey Lowry, including a sold-out debut headline show in London.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added candlelight to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream meelu‘s exquisite, growing discography, and anticipate future releases from her!