Our #SongoftheDay from 11 January 2018 – The heartfelt and enigmatically beautiful “Holding Hands” by Berlin-based, half Czech, half Turkish singer/songwriter MELIS (Melis Soyaslanova) from her debut EP, ‘Parallels‘. “Holding Hands” is still present in many of our playlists because we honestly believe, this enchanting song deserves more recognition and more airplay.

After all, this alluring indie pop track has a haunting vibe that perfectly gels with the mellow vocals of Melis and the dystopian visuals of the creatively crafted video shot in her hometown Prague by director Luboš Rezler and cinematographer Filip Marek. Sadly, even after a year and a half, the official video has raked in only around 19500+ views so far.

While she is one-half of electronic duo IYES with Josh Christopher, Melis cites the likes of Julia Michaels and Fiona Apple in her sincere writing and her music blends influences of early folk, contemporary electronica and organic yet futuristic pop. Melis touches upon sorrowful subjects melodramatically and thoughtfully, provoking a beautiful contrast between true feelings, fractured relationships, and old love, with “Holding Hands” being a stellar example.

Her debut EP “Parallels” which she self-released in November 2017 has now stacked up over 1.5 million Spotify streams and gathered Apple Music support internationally. The EP was premiered by Billboard while receiving praise from Notion, Complex, and Nylon amongst others. Melis’ latest release “Waves” is the first taste of her second EP titled “Undercurrent” with both the track and official video opening to positive reviews.

Melis is truly underrated. Give her some love!

Melis – Holding hands Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Are you ready to talk?
‘Cause I’m ready to listen
And how I feel like a fool
For being stuck here with you
Are you ready to walk
‘Cause I’m ready to let go
And I’ve been thinking it through
What’s a girl to do?

[Chorus]
‘Cause for you I forget myself
Giving it all like there’s nobody else
Watch you go dancing along with your friends
Lost at the start, I don’t know where it ends
For you I question myself
I can’t find the answer to anything else
Watch you go drinking and fuck up my plans
So get out my hair and stop holding my hands

[Verse 2]
Are you ready to fight?
I’m ready to make love
But I’m not making a move
Unless you tell me the truth
‘Cause lately I’ve been dreaming about
Going someplace new
I wish that I could do it without
Always thinking of you

[Chorus]
For you I forget myself
Giving it all like there’s nobody else
Watch you go dancing along with your friends
Lost at the start, I don’t know where it ends
So for you I question myself
I can’t find the answer to anything else
Watch you go drinking and fuck up my plans
So get out my hair and stop holding my hands

[Bridge]
‘Cause for you I forget myself
Giving it all like there’s nobody else
Watch you go dancing along with your friends
Lost at the start, I don’t know where it ends

[Chorus]
And for you I question myself
I can’t find the answer to anything else
Watch you go drinking and fuck up my plans
So get out my hair and stop holding my hands
For you I forget myself
Giving it all like there’s nobody else
Watch you go dancing along with your friends
Lost at the start, I don’t know where it ends
And for you I question myself
I can’t find the answer to anything else
Watch you go drinking and fuck up my plans
So get out my hair and stop holding my hands