Madeline Merlo, a 2x CCMA award winner and 2024 CCMA Female Artist of the Year nominee, teams up with MULTI-PLATINUM, 9x #1 hitmaker Dustin Lynch for her new release “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch).” The song, the first peek into her forthcoming project ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door), explores both sides of a recent heartbreak & how they’re both still getting used to the relationship falling apart. The melancholy melody serves up a storyline that perfectly complements the vulnerable moments captured on this recording. Listen here.
“I’m overjoyed to finally share 'Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch)’ with the world today,” said Merlo. “A huge thank you to Dustin Lynch for lending his signature vocal to this song, one that delves into the complexities of navigating life right after a broken heart. It’s a relatable journey that I’m hoping people can find some sense of not being alone in that feeling when they hear this song.”
Merlo’s forthcoming project embodies a narrative of authenticity, vulnerability & imperfection. In “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch),” you feel as if you are living the story yourself, desperately attempting to picture a new normal. The song is more than just a new track, it is a profound exploration of the aftermath of a breakup. The song delves into the dual perspectives of a relationship’s end, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of the emotional turbulence that accompanies heartbreak. The narrative is built around the universal experience of moving on from a once-promising relationship, and the poignant melancholy of adjusting to new realities. Directed by Jack Owens, the official music video for the track also launched today, view below.
Madeline Merlo’s emotive vocals guide the listener through a tender examination of both sides of a breakup, exploring themes of loss, acceptance, and the lingering echoes of love. With Lynch’s rich, identifiable, evocative voice joining Merlo’s on the track, “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch)” becomes a duet that bridges two perspectives, creating a powerful and resonant piece of music.
“I’ve gotten a chance to invite Madeline out a few times now to perform with me, so I was honored to be asked to jump on this song with her,” shared Lynch. “I love how our voices blend on this track, and the power in her vulnerability. It’s so relatable and I’m looking forward to seeing how this one connects!”
Having “already proven her songwriting chops” (Billboard), Merlo, a 2024 CMT “Next Women of Country,” has “long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). Similar to her critically acclaimed label-debut EP, Slide, that scored her praise from Billboard, E! News, PopCulture, Music Row and more, Merlo continues to build her niche as a songwriter and artist, as she brings to life powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up and to the lessons learned in-between. “…Ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape” (Country Swag), the “rising country star” (People) has a new project “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch)” out now, available on all streaming platforms.
Expanding her creative horizons, Madeline Merlo has recently collabed with Sunday Club, releasing anexclusive 8-piece jewelry collection perfectly capturing her unique style. In addition, Merlo is the face of the Urban Planet x Boots & Hearts Collab, don’t miss out — shop the collection here while supplies last.
About Madeline Merlo:
With a crystalline Country vocal and an international rep for writing vivid scenes of emotional insight, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville recording artist Madeline Merlo is a rising star with an old soul and a new school style. Already a Platinum-certified No. 1 songwriter poised to be a breakout artist, Merlo’s new project ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) finds a self-described deep-feeler offering a message of encouragement to her younger self – and to all those who feel “a little different.” A small town native helming from the blueberry fields of British Columbia, Merlo recalls countless holiday family sing-alongs soaked in a musical mix of classic soul and R&B – plus ‘90s country and the powerhouse vocals of everyone from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and Faith Hill. After attending a Shania Twain concert as her first show, she proclaimed her intention to be a singer on a second-grade school project – and her songwriting habit began early, too. Merlo started visiting Nashville on songwriting trips at just 16, signed a record deal at 18, and found fast success at Canadian country radio, earning the CCMA Rising Star award in 2015. By 2020 she was competing on Season 2 of NBC songwriting reality series Songland – and with the dressed-down anthem of easy confidence, “Champagne Night,” she came out a winner. The track went on to become a Platinum-certified three-week No. 1 for Lady A, opening the door for Merlo’s artistic dreams. The sassy country/funk and soul single “It Didn’t” has racked up more than 10 million Spotify streams to date, and Merlo followed with the gravel-road pop of her Slide EP in 2022. Now, after being named to CMT Next Women of Country class of 2024, she calls ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) her most emotionally insightful project yet – a six-song message of self-worth that comes with a superstar boost and plays to her creative strength. The first peek into her forthcoming project arrives August 9th with the melodic “Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch),” and the full project will be available October 11th. Merlo can be found on the road throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer. For more information, visit her website.
About Dustin Lynch:
Dustin Lynch has "built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music” (Billboard), achieving nine #1s; four Top 5 albums; 10 GOLD, PLATINUM, and MULTI-PLATINUM certified singles; and tallying over 4.4 BILLION cumulative global streams. His Top 10-and-climbing single “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll),” from sixth studio album Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), is currently making a statement. The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making 2X PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” – the most-played song at Country radio in 2022 landing at #1 on the Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts – also featured hit singles: #1 “Stars Like Confetti” and “Party Mode.” Lynch has headlined packed venues to sold-out crowds like his latest KILLED THE COWBOY TOUR, in addition to touring with Country’s biggest names including Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Blake Shelton. Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.
KEEP UP WITH MADELINE MERLO