Intro to the experience that is Mereba
Marian Azeb Mereba, or Mereba, is a Southern-bred black artist who creates her own universe of Alternative R&B through songwriting and performing. The rich and intricate quality of her sound reflects her deep connection to her multidimensional black identity. It is evident that her craft took its roots from the South but is blended beautifully with her Ethiopian origins. Atlanta, Georgia was home to the sharpening of her musical talent within the Dreamville group (affiliated with Spillage Village). With the release of her new album “The Breeze Grew Fire”, Mereba reaffirms her uniqueness, innovation, and overall greatness.
On May 10th, Mereba’s North American tour took a stop in Montreal. The venue — Theatre Fairmount — was the perfect environment to experience her music. Indeed, the show felt like a love letter to each member of the audience through its intimate size, ambient lighting, clear audio system, and accessible scene. The lights are lowered, and we are immersed in the opener’s performance – Anais. Alone on the scene, with only her guitar, she commanded the room. Her voice alone transported us into her universe. The music she sang reflected her being well-travelled, and further a student of the world – learning through music.
First came the guitarist, followed by the drummer, and then…there she was. Draped in vibrant blue, she seemed more of a revered water deity than a human. As she began to sing, it felt more like conjuring than performing. Her voice, clear, strong, and alluring, she embarked us in the first song: “White Doves”.
“The Breeze Grew with Fire” tells of the soft, warm, tender breezes that breathed life back into her heart, made numb by hardships. It is an invitation to lean into the power of softness when met with the brutality of a world that tries again and again to harden us.
“Heart of a Child” and “Starlight” most represented that sentiment in my opinion. With the nurturing quality of a lullaby, she gently confirms an inner understanding that begs to be heard.
Our inner child has always known that ‘starlight’ follows us and ‘fear is make-believe’. The magic is and has always been within us.
This album is unique as it is an ode to non-romantic relationships, standing out in an industry that thrives on dramatic, soul-crushing love stories. It acknowledges that it is all of those soft but steady presences in our lives that strengthen us: those regular calls from your parents, those mundane talks with your best friend. Being released on February 14th, 2025 serves as a bold statement of the nature of love and relationships. Love that uplifts you is not all-consuming or devastating; it is made of ‘kinship in all its forms and resilience of the spirit’. In that spirit, hearing “Phone Me” live with my best friend made me emotional. She perfectly encapsulates the gratitude that I have towards my friendships. Indeed, my womanhood is made complete by the love of “my homie…my sister”.
All in all, the quality of her performance transcends musical experience. Hearing her live, accompanied by her band, I could feel it — she embodies a collection of black artistry and musicality. When performing songs from her first album “The Jungle is the Only Way Out”, the melancholy and depth from a fusion of Blues and Country were a beautiful reminder of her origins. Songs such as “Kinfolk” and “Heatwave” felt heavy of the black experience — using music as a conduit to alchemize the pain into beauty.
Overall, this album, her body of work in general, is crucial. Not only is it a testimony of survival in systems that try incessantly to erase those that look like us; it is a revolution, a reimagination of our essence, our magic, our love. She voices our desire and capability to carve out space for ourselves, our authenticity, our truths.
Review by Arinala Ramaroson
Photography by @puredomo on Instagram
