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Reviewed by Sammy Jay Dawson

Miloux: EP 1

Reviewed by Sammy Jay Dawson

Miloux: EP 1

For the last three years, Auckland’s Rebecca Melrose, aka Miloux, has been crafting her unique blend of ambient electronica on the live circuit. Her vocal prowess rarely fails to drop jaws, resulting in a lot of buzz for this young artist. Having gained visibility as a featuring vocalist on tracks by producers such as Terace, Benson and Chores, ‘EP 1’ marks her first solo outing. Think Grimes with a penchant for jazz/neo soul vocals, pop writing sensibilities and ‘90s RnB beats. With Ben Lawson donning the producer’s cap and recording taking place at Red Bull studios in Auckland, it’s a superior sounding effort than most debut releases. An ear for elaborate detail and depth helps Miloux bring these tracks to life, giving already good pop songs an extra dimension. Opener Pocket walks the tightrope between uplift and ambient suspense. These Rules provides more of a chilled out atmosphere and Beaches restores faith in the never-ending build. Care is evident in balancing virtuosity with memorable melodies, an often uneasy mix that Miloux pulls off with ease. Clocking in at just over 25 minutes, its four original compositions are joined by a remix of Beaches by Stack & Piece. By far the most beat-heavy track on ‘EP 1’, it not only hints at the seemingly limitless potential within her music, but displays an ease and flexibility in collaborations. It’s a brief introduction to Miloux’s art, but one that will no doubt excite listeners about any future full-length release.