This year, the notorious Punxsutawney Phil confidently predicted an early spring for 2024. Hopefully, the little furball is onto something, as there’s nothing more harmonious than the arrival of warmer weather and longer days paired with the distinct music of Marco Martinez, better known as Mellodose. Much like the cool breeze of springtime, Mellodose breathes freshness into the soundwaves he creates, and his latest EP, Palmz & Evergreenz, is no exception to this rule, as it takes listeners through a blossoming sonic experience that mirrors the vibrancy of Mother Nature herself.

The title track, “Palmz & Evergreenz,” kicks off with the soothing sounds of the ocean and a small guitar lick before intertwining with a tranquil beat that matches the cadence of the crashing waves. The simplistic use of a bell and bass combo hooks the listener, but once the guiding voice of Mellodose pumps into the soundscape, the track gets the head rocking with an enchanting,  melodic groove. The voice of Mellodose ebbs and flows with the pace of the track, creating an otherworldly tune where frequencies sit buoyant, almost suspended in time.

Mellodose explained that the inspiration behind the track came after a trip to the beach with his wife and her family and the likes of Ab-Soul: “‘Palms and Evergreenz’ is almost like a modern rap production drum approach. I was listening to a lot of Ab-Soul, a rapper I really like on Top Dog Entertainment (TDE), the same label as Kendrick Lamar. Ab-Soul has always been one of my favorite rappers and lyricists. His music’s really fun, some of it’s really deep, and he has great wordplay, but he also works with some of the best producers in that arena, and the drums are just sick.”

As the track unwinds into the gentle tapping of drums and airy synthesizer, “Sheets” transforms the gentle drum tap into a wicked drum beat that bounces along with a groovy bassline. When combined with the vocal flow of Mellodose, it creates an ode to hip hop that showcases his ability to fuse genres and transcend musical boundaries.

In fact, Mellodose explained that Thievery Corporation and their ability to interweave many different styles of music together played a huge role in his own music creation. “I wanted to kind of achieve what Thievery Corporation had done, where they made a lot of world music, and they also made some trip hop and hip hop tracks and the wide array of genres they cover.”

Springing off this, Mellodose dives into a track that creates a heart wrenching juxtaposition between the lyrics and the music. While the music glimmers with soft, dulcet tones, the opening lyrics contrast this by painting a poignant picture of depression:

21st held a 22 to my head 

I thought I was through

You had a bigger plan for me

You sent my best friend to intervene

Now I’ll never take for granted

all the days & the ways

That you blessed this life

When explaining some of the themes found throughout the EP,  Mellodose stated, “I’ve had several different things like addiction and depression and things that I’ve gone through and continually going through. I think they’re always with us. But for me, music has been the one thing that has been able to give me a consistent purpose and direction and footing and grounding.”

By layering this story into the soft tones of the song, it’s impossible to put the skeletons hiding in all our closets back inside. Instead, the delicate licks of the bass and guitar invite those skeletons to dance. Though we cannot forget our past, we can remember to cherish the fragility of the present day.

Mellodose continues the sonic journey with “Daily Affirmations,” a two-minute jaunt featuring interplay of a pulsating beat and twinkling piano. The delicate touch of the piano adds a sense of intimacy to the track, as if Mellodose is sharing a personal mantra. All this weaved together creates an inspiring tune that uplifts the soul.

“She Said (West Coast)” follows with a dreamlike score that oozes into the ear with a rich riddim that unfurls like velvety flower petals, enveloping the senses in a melodic hug and bringing them to a symphonic sanctuary.

“Without Music I Would Die” ends the EP as a testament to the power of music and how it resonates with the very essence of our existence. As the opening lyrics ring out, the tune wraps around like the warm embrace of a sunrise, pulling listeners into a cocoon of harmonic happiness. In the bridge into the song’s second half, Mellodose breaks into a gentle guitar solo. As the fingers of Mellodose dance up and down the fretboard, the enchanting spell of music takes over and courses through the veins.

Without music I would die

Every single time

I be feeling low

Lift me higher so

I can see the light

Palmz & Evergreenz offers a prime listening experience that isn’t afraid to blur the lines of genre. Through carefully crafted tracks, Mellodose captures the emotional kaleidoscope of the human experience, guiding the listener through the realms of introspection, amplifying the resonance of joy, the melancholy of sorrow, and every shade between.