Adam Melchor - “Here Goes Nothing!” Album Review
“Sometimes it's good to let love go, but when you finally get your chance at a love like this, the best thing you can do is take a look over the cliff, dive head first and say welp, here goes nothing!”, says Adam Melchor, an Indie/Alternative artist who just released his second album “Here Goes Nothing!” this past Friday.
The album contains a song with Fleet Foxes as a feature, and multiple other collaborators including Charlie Puth, Alexander 23 and Lennon Stella.
Melchor released his first album, “Melchor’s Lullaby Hotline Vol. 1” in 2021, which consisted of a compilation of songs that fans would receive every week after texting Melchor’s hotline number.
Melchor refers to his fans as close friends, his fan base consisting of Indie/Alternative lovers who enjoy deep, meaningful lyrics combined with skillfully placed instrumentals.
In addition to his first album, Melchor has released multiple other EPs and singles since 2017, the more popular singles being “Real Estate” and “Joyride.”
“Here Goes Nothing!” is described as, “the story of a long distance love in the pandemic (and after)”. It contains many different emotions, but they all relate back to love.
“Here Goes Nothing!” is a very humble title, as this album is everything and more.
The instrumental qualities of this album are highly impressive and are on a whole different level compared to Melchor’s past music. It contains a medley of many different instruments such as the acoustic guitar, piano, synths, trumpets, harmonica, violin, and drums.
Melchor is a genius when it comes to layering harmonies. In each song, the harmonies portray a different mood to the listener. He even goes a step further with layering instrumental harmonies, specifically seen in “Rest of My Night” with layered trumpets and harmonicas.
The album consists of many different smaller themes, but all revolve around love and its intense struggles.
Some songs touch on the fear of falling in love, others mention how ready he is for love, and some explain that he is waiting for someone to just let him down.
The broad spectrum of themes perfectly encapsulates the real emotions that come with difficult relationships such as his.
This album is for those who enjoy intricately placed instrumentals followed by sweet lyrics packed full of meanings. For those who feel everything deeply, and take it all to heart.
This album has been revolutionary for Melchor’s music. The fingerpicking guitar style and meaningful lyrics are carried throughout much of his work, but this one has something special about it. There is a spark present that has not been seen before.
The main theme of this album is love and the infinite struggles within. The songs each touch on a different feeling, from being afraid to fall, to letting things go, and to wanting to be let down easily.
Even though each song has a different specific message, they work together to make up the big picture of Melchor’s struggles with this on-and-off again-love.
Melchor is a very beautiful songwriter and his skills are extremely well-showcased on this album.
“Touch And Go” is an exquisitely written song, containing ideas of letting things go and letting things be. Melchor sings, “And while the water flows under the bridge, you think of all the time you lost and all the love you missed,” mentioning how he has learned it is better to resolve conflict than to lose out on time and love.
“I’m Afraid I love you” contains a strong theme of the nerves that accompany love and admitting feelings. Melchor alludes that it would be the death of him if the person did not feel the same. He sings, while mentioning the title of the album, “Here goes nothing, I'm cliff jumping, well without a parachute and here's the truth.”
Switching gears from admitting feelings, “Angel Numbers” is a song that describes his search for any sign to stay with someone. He sings, "I'm only superstitious cuz I have something to lose, fighting through the fiction til I find something to use.”
In the song, “Let me Know When” featuring Fleet Foxes, Melchor sings, “All the dominos have fallen, in the way you always told me that they could, you get so sick of things so easily, the fact you lasted this long pretty good.” He touches on the predictability of someone, he knew all along they were going to leave, so he is grateful they stayed as long as they did.
Overall, this album is some of Melchor’s best work yet. The mixture of synthetic effects, carefully placed instrumentals, and layered harmonies all create a beautiful piece of art that fans could listen to for hours.
This is by far one of Melchor’s most intricate projects, and it has thoroughly exceeded expectations. For the future, there is hope for the continuation of Melchor’s brutal honesty that pairs wonderfully with a sweet melody.
Rating: 10/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Songs: “I’m Afraid I love you,” “Let Me Know When,” “Rest Of My Night.”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Songs: N/A
Allie Scaggs is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email ajs9412@psu.edu.
