“What Once Was,” is a tender, wistful breath of fresh folk air, gently ushering listeners into the heartfelt world of her upcoming album The Rabbit, out as of May 21st.
The project, led by American-born multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Melissa Lingo, is a clear nod to the golden age of ‘60s-‘70s folk, yet feels entirely fresh in its sincerity and emotional depth. With a voice that’s both delicate and powerful in its restraint, meka channels the timeless essence of icons like Joan Baez and Vashti Bunyan.
There’s also an unmistakable kinship with Nick Drake’s Bryter Layter and modern-day torchbearers like Alela Diane — artists whose music feels like stepping into a memory. “What Once Was” carries the quiet weight of reflection. It’s a song about reckoning with change and the quiet ache of nostalgia, wrapped in gentle guitar melodies and a profoundly intimate vocal performance. Lingo doesn’t just sing — she transports, crafting soundscapes that shimmer with grace and melancholy. This track is not only charming and gentle — it’s emotionally resonant, offering a kind of stillness that lingers long after the final note.
With The Rabbit on the horizon, “What Once Was” sets the tone for what promises to be a soul-nourishing listen for lovers of deeply felt, beautifully crafted folk.
