A few years ago, I booked an unplugged show at Chloe’s in Brooklyn and invited Melly to perform. It was the first time I was going to see her sing live, and for a lot of the room, it was their first time too.
Before she stepped up, I asked DJ Stakz about her singing. He didn’t give a speech, he just gave that nod that says, “Trust me.” Then Melly sang, and the crowd met her with real love, the kind you can feel in your chest. That night didn’t feel like a random set, it felt like a start.
That’s why reviewing Melly Sings’ debut album, “Melly,” feels personal. It’s a self-titled project with 11 tracks plus an intro, and it plays like a proper introduction, not just a playlist. Below, I’m looking at the sound, the themes, the tracklist flow, the features, and what keeps pulling me back for another listen.
The big picture, what “Melly” sounds like and what it’s trying to say
“Melly” moves with the emotions you hear in real life, confidence one moment, doubt the next, then a calm reset. The album doesn’t get stuck in one mood. It shifts from bold to soft, from bright to tense, then back again, and those turns keep the listening experience active.
The pacing helps a lot. With 12 total cuts (an intro, an interlude, and full songs), it doesn’t drag. The shorter moments act like breathers. They give your ears a pause, then the next track hits with more meaning because you’ve had a second to sit with what just happened.
Naming the album after herself matters too. A self-titled debut is a statement, like signing your name at the bottom of a letter. Melly isn’t hiding behind a character here. The project reads like: this is my voice, my language, my choices, my point of view.
You also hear identity in the way the songs are titled and performed. Haitian Creole and bilingual phrasing add flavor without feeling like a “concept.” It comes across as natural, like she’s speaking in the voice she actually lives in, not the one she thinks the industry wants.
Her voice and presence, why she feels like the center of every track
The first thing that stands out is her tone. It’s clear, but it isn’t sterile. Even on smoother parts, there’s a human edge that keeps it from sounding copied and pasted. She also controls her delivery well, riding the beat instead of chasing it.
Compared to that early Chloe’s memory, her confidence now feels settled. Back then, you could hear the hunger. On this album, you hear direction. She sounds like she knows what kind of singer she is, and she stays in that lane without sounding limited.
She’s strongest when she leans into emotion, not volume. When a song calls for restraint, she doesn’t over-sing. That said, you can still catch a few spots where a phrase feels safe, like she chose the clean route instead of the risky one. For a first album, that’s not a knock, it’s room to grow.
The tracklist flow, how the intro and interlude help tell the story
“Melly intro” sets the scene, then “Melly” steps in like a handshake. Later, “RÈD interlude” works like a doorway into the album’s sharper side. Those pieces aren’t just filler, they help the sequencing feel intentional.
The energy rises, cools down, and rises again at smart times. That matters because even strong songs can feel smaller if the order is random. Here, the sequencing makes the project feel like one story, even when the topics shift. On a first listen, it encourages you to keep going instead of skipping around.
Track-by-track highlights, where the album hits hardest
This album rewards full-play listening, but it also has clear standouts. Here’s how each title lands, in the order Melly gives it to us.
The opening run that introduces Melly fast
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Melly intro: A quick scene-setter that frames the album like a real introduction.
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Melly: The self-titled track feels like a mission statement, direct and centered on presence.
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Pran men’w: The vibe turns more tender and inviting, like she’s reaching for connection, not applause.
If you’re picking an early standout, “Pran men’w” is the one that makes the album feel warm, not just confident.
The “RÈD” moment, interlude into statement song
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RÈD interlude: A short build that tightens the mood and hints something bigger is coming.
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RÈD: The payoff. This track carries attitude and a stronger edge, and it feels like a key color in the album’s emotional palette.
Interlude-to-song pairings can fall flat when the “main” track doesn’t hit hard enough. Here, “RÈD” earns the setup and gives the project a spine.
When the feelings get messy, “Confused” and “Zin”
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Confused: The title says it all, and the performance keeps it believable. It brings vulnerability without sounding weak.
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Zin: A shift into a more complicated mood, the kind of song that suggests longing mixed with self-protection.
These two tracks add depth. Without them, the album could’ve leaned too heavy on flexing and romance. With them, it sounds like a person, not a brand.
Features that add spice, and when they steal the show
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Bri (feat. Steve J Bryan): Steve J Bryan adds contrast and bounce, and the track feels brighter because of it. Melly still holds the center, which matters on a self-titled debut.
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Let Me (feat. Gabel): Gabel brings a different tone that plays well against Melly’s smoother delivery. It reads like a back-and-forth instead of a guest verse stapled on.
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Ploge (feat. Pleasure P): This is the feature that will turn heads on name alone, and it also works musically. Pleasure P brings a familiar R&B feel, while Melly keeps the song aligned with her world.
The best feature moments here don’t overshadow her, they frame her. That’s the right move for album number one.
Closing tracks that feel like a goodbye and a thank you
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Pa retire’l: A closing stretch track that feels like a final push, holding onto the message instead of rushing out.
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Mèsi: The ending lands like gratitude. It feels directed at the people behind her and beside her, not only the fans.
A closer should leave you with a last sentence you remember. “Mèsi” does that, and it ties the album to real life, not just performance.
My favorite moments, small critiques, and who this album is for
Some albums have one big single and a lot of extras. “Melly” feels more balanced than that. It plays like a full body of work, with several replay points.
Here are my personal picks:
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Top 3 songs for replay: “Pran men’w,” “RÈD,” “Ploge (feat. Pleasure P)”
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Best vocal moment: When she stays controlled and emotional on “Confused,” it sounds the most lived-in.
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Best feature: Pleasure P on “Ploge,” because it adds weight without changing her identity.
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A couple tracks sit in similar tempo and mood, so the middle can blend if you’re half-listening.
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I wanted one more left turn, maybe a track where she takes a bigger vocal or writing risk.
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The interludes do their job, but “RÈD interlude” could’ve been slightly longer to stretch the tension.
This album is for new listeners who want an easy entry point, and for longtime supporters who remember the early stages. It also fits fans of bilingual Caribbean pop and R&B-leaning love songs, especially if you like projects that mix confidence with soft honesty.
Thinking back to Chloe’s in Brooklyn, that growth is the real story. The crowd’s reaction felt like a door opening. This album feels like she walked through it.
“Melly” gets the big things right: a clear identity, strong pacing, and vocals that feel personal. It also hints at what she can do next, bigger risks, sharper choices, and even more range.
I keep thinking about that DJ Stakz nod at Chloe’s, then the room embracing her once she started singing. This debut album feels like the follow-through, a testimony of how far she’s come, and where she’s heading. Run it from “Melly intro” to “Mèsi”, then tell me your top track.
