Words by Christopher Kevin Au //

Looking for a smooth entry into this Thursday morning? Let your earholes be treated by local neo-soul singer Mel Bailey.

Having released her single ‘Better Days’ and appearing on Phil Fresh’s ambitious Excursions of Love EP (which we premiered right here) in 2017, Mel is kickstarting the year with her own release, No Doubt, Just Questions. One of Sydney’s most promising rappers, Kwame, drops the microphone to exclusively produce the five-track project, making this an in-house affair for Sydney’s Mozaick Records.

Mel’s voice has a familiar comfort about it, and while she draws inspiration from soul pioneers of yesteryear, the woozy electronic beats add a slick contemporary touch. What results is a curious mix of flavours that touches upon jazz and hip-hop, and an alluring backdrop for Mel’s confessional reflections. Every track was written by Mel herself, as well as songwriter/pianist Nikos H. Smallman.

“I have grown so much in the past year. Personally, I don’t have doubt in myself anymore and I have learnt to accept the things I cannot change, but I will always question people’s motives and want some sort of closure. I’m a defiantly curious person” she says of the project.

Mel will be launching the EP this Friday at Camperdown venue The Lady Hampshire, and she’s bringing quite the ensemble: A seven-piece band will be helping her bring No Doubt, Just Questions to life in a flurry of instruments and the effortless collaborative energy that makes Mozaick gigs feel like a family gathering. It’s gonna be a nice time – listen to Mel’s debut EP below, and catch her tomorrow night: