Mereba’s third album finds the LA singer, guitarist and rapper ushering in 13 tracks of luscious and sprawling R&B, with poetic commentary and reflections on motherhood that will live long in the memory. Though it occasionally lacks the stellar songwriting that might break a lot of new ground with audiences, ‘The Breeze Grew a Fire’ is a record of terrific poise and elegance by a recording artist in full flight.
One of the standout songs is Hawk, a tight-but-busy ballad that shows off her versatility and musicianship. The track’s production sears and pops, with subtle and innovative touches throughout, and the lyric writing creeps up on you: “You came like a sunrise / You left like a night fog.”
Some of the delight in this track can be taken from the gossamer touch of co-producers Sam Hoffman and Kibrom Birhane. With Mereba, they have figured out exactly when to stop adding the arrangement filigree.
The album opener, Counterfeit, is another jam. It’s led by a watery synth line and slightly dated hybrid drums (or maybe it’s the beat itself?). It features a memorable breakout chorus that addresses either a loved one or a creative artist or both: “You’re the original / Don’t let ‘em counterfeit you.”
This might speak to something else. Commercial creativity in 2025 is in a state of extreme flux; it’s being attacked on every side by AI and while that is not quite addressed directly, there is a theme emerging in modern songwriting, like with the Cold War in the 1980s or the sexual revolution in the 1960s.
‘The Breeze Grew a Fire’ is a good album by a musician of distinction. As an example of conscious, low-slung R&B, it will be right up there with some of the best work of the year come the winter. If there is a criticism it is probably that it is too light, too diaphanous, too much of a distraction piece. It doesn’t feel terribly urgent, despite the high quality. Maybe with LA on fire, though, a distraction piece is what's needed.
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