Melaku recently released a new single called “Open Road”. It sits somewhere between pop, soft rock and a bit of Americana, but the song doesn’t sound like it’s trying too hard to blend genres. It just moves naturally.
The first thing that stands out is his voice. It’s rich and full, and he delivers the lines with a lot of character. It’s strong and confident. When the chorus arrives it opens up nicely and lets those vocals take the lead. That’s where the song really locks in.
The guitar work is another highlight. Clean playing and it supports the melody. Same with the drums. Simple and placed exactly where they should be. Everything is clear and polished, but still relaxed.
The track follows the idea of getting out on the road and figuring things out along the way. That sense of searching runs through the melodies too. The verses stick in your head after a couple listens, and the chorus has that easy and catchy lift that keeps the whole song moving forward.
The songwriting is good, the vocal performance is strong and the mood is warm. We really enjoyed this one. It all comes together in a way that stays with you longer than expected, and our feeling is that Melaku is an artist worth keeping an eye on.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Melaku is an independent artist, songwriter and producer from Santa Cruz, CA. Inspired by the classics, he creates pop music with rock influences and a retro edge. His music journey began early; picking up guitar at 5, the drums at 10, and recording himself at 13. He soon began recording bands and artists in the area, and later co-founded a recording studio program in high shool.
While attending Columbia University, Melaku continued recording songs in his dorm room and practice rooms on campus. After interning at SONY Music (Jive Records), his original songs landed him a management deal that lead to writing songs with various major label producers. After completing his BA, Melaku spent summers in Los Angeles in sessions and writing camps, while defining his own sound as an artist.
Melaku’s original music has received positive coverage from publications like Essentially Pop, Music News, Plastic Magazine, With Guitars Magazine, Tattoo Magazine, The Indie Source, The Big Takeover, and Consequence Of Sound. His songs have also charted on indie radio around the USA. In 2026, Melaku is continuing to release music that nods to the classic sounds of the past, while remaining firmly rooted in the present.
