Madeleine Kelson - Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle EP (2024) Hi-Res

Madeleine Kelson has a new EP Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle which is four master-crafted songs that touch your soul. Yes, it’s that good. Madeleine has written philosophical lyrics with reflections about the human experience, the meaning of life and love, and set them over piercing vocal arrangements and sweetly sad Americana style music.

“Shaking Ground” is Madeleine on acoustic guitar and singing: “I’m hard wired for letting go / moving with the changes wherever they throw me / can’t stand still, can’t slow down, I’m walking on shaking ground.” This is life advice – let go of the second guessing and hand wringing and stay the course. She has an instinct for song delivery and cadence that’s super pro as she lays down the profundities.

“Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle” is incredible, while Madeleine explores the most philosophical of concepts: how is the spirit connected with the body? She’s able to wind this into a love song that’s a depth of true inspiration. “She sees beauty, she sees the pain, she holds me when I’m high and brings me down again. She lives down where the spirit meets the muscle. She keeps me from ever being alone.”

“Middle Ground” hits on this miracle of truth: “a rain carves out a canyon if it only finds a groove.” “Only One to Blame” shifts to keys and the reflective harsh observation: “And you sacrificed your beauty to procrastinate the pain / Let it grow until it’s more than you can tame / It looks like you’re the only one to blame.”

The only thing to lament about this EP is that it’s way too short. We’re awaiting an album hopefully soon. Madeleine is a top shelf songwriter, a thinker’s lyricist with a rich vocal delivery and just the right musical touch. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest a duet or two with someone like John Moreland or Will Hoge.