Castle Hill

Named after the remote mountain village in New Zealand's Southern Alps where it was recorded, CASTLE HILL is the Lyttelton-based artist's seventh album.

Across 10 tracks, the album explores resilience, grief, self-doubt, nostalgia, presence and transformation - delivered through the artist's signature indie-folk blend of vulnerable, reflective songwriting.

While never shying away from melancholy, Mel's songs always leave space for light. Something that pulls listeners into her music and makes her such a skilled songwriter and performer. 'Sad songs still reign supreme for me,' Mel says, 'but I always hope there's a crack of light in there somewhere. I think that reflects human nature - we're all somewhere on the emotional rollercoaster at any given time.'

The album was produced by Josh Logan and recorded live in a single room with Mel's longtime band members Aaron Stewart on bass and Jed Parsons on drums, joined by Ben King (Goldenhorse, Grand Rapids) on guitar, creating what Mel describes as "a full immersion recording experience over a stolen summer holiday.