“For the average lover, heartbreak isn’t a stranger.” It’s with this sentiment that Mnelia created her latest EP, ‘Closure Tapes’, her “heartbreak bible.” While the record was born out of a period of intense pain and grief for the artist, her focus has always been on what the music would do for others; her own healing secondary. “When I decided to become vulnerable within my artistry, it was more of a choice for the people that were supporting me than for myself,” Mnelia explains. “My favourite artists are the sacrificial ones. They’re the ones that put it all in because they care more about what it’s doing for the world. There’s so much more reward in giving than there is in taking.”
Five years on from her first release, and three years since her single ‘Say Yeah’ put Mnelia on the map, ‘Closure Tapes’ arrives after a deeply reflective time. “It’s been a rollercoaster but everything’s happened exactly how it needed to,” Mnelia ruminates. She looks back fondly on her musical roadmap, cherishing the lessons she’s learned along the way.
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The EP features a number of collaborations, from South London Drill artist Kwengface to American R&B dynamo, Jayla Darden. Closest to Mnelia’s heart, however, is a link up for the remix of ‘Genesis’ with three of her best friends, Miraa May, Joyce Wrice and Bellah. “The whole project is about personal experiences, so if I was to bring anybody in [for the remix], it’s going to be these girls, without a shadow of a doubt,” Mnelia says. “In my personal life, they’ve been my pillars of support, but it’s also such a privilege to have friends that do the same thing as you in terms of career.”
As evidenced by the organic partnerships and personal stories divulged, the whole project is laced with authenticity. “I only really want to do this if it’s real to me,” Mnelia asserts. “You can never fall back on what’s true. What you’re seeing is very real; what you’re hearing is all very real. If this was a film, the [introduction] would probably say, ‘based on a true story’”.
Wise beyond her years, Mnelia’s parting advice for healing from heartbreak is threefold: “Step one, have grace with yourself – destiny isn’t dictated by us…Step two, own it! Take accountability. What could I have done to better protect myself? And number three, don’t be scared of love. Take the risk and dive again. But make sure you’ve taken it upon yourself to salve the wounds of the last crash, and when you get into a new car, this time, keep your seatbelt on.”
WHAT: Relatable, heart-healing British R&B
WHERE: London
3 SONGS: ‘Genesis’, ‘Say What You Mean’, ‘Revelation’
FACT: Mnelia is a trained pianist.
Words: Aimee Phillips
Photography: Bella Howard // @bybellazine
Styling: Sabrina Soormally
Mnelia wears the Area Lo Sneaker, 265 GBP; Jules Denim Top in Mid Blue, 135 GBP and Faded Signature Sly Jeans, POA; by Axel Arigato.
