Rens Block aka the mastermind behind project Mereo returns with his invincible new single ‘So Cold’. 

The Dutch singer-songwriter has a soothing R&B/Alternative Pop sound which is as beautifully relevant as it is moving.  A sound that he started developing at Amsterdam’s Academy for theatre and dance where he graduated in 2018. 

In ‘So Cold’ we hear Mereo’s independence in self-production. The track opens up with a crescendo of sweeping 80’s synthesizers backed by the addition of a delicate beat which makes listeners hold on to every movement. The music allows Mereo’s stunning vocal delivery to take centre stage where he moves listeners through the emotion portrayed in his lyrics. 

Talking about the single Mereo mentions,

“It’s about the unexpected. About the times you think that you are in charge when it comes to your destiny and something unexpected catching you off guard. In the process of creating music, you can work night after night on songs and still nothing clicks. This song came to me, and I thought: I’ve been waiting for you. This is what I’ve been looking for all this time.”

‘So Cold’ follows the release of his first album which dropped in November 2020 called ‘Synchronous’. The self-produced album speaks about living in the past and the present at the same time. The music video for ‘Favourite Moment’ was featured on the VEVO channel and the album reached 100,000 streams on Spotify alone. 

Armed with the new release of ‘So Cold’, upcoming collaborations with notable producers of the Netherlands and the US as well as a visual journey he started capturing with Sharon Jane D, Mereo is ready to take on 2022 and start the year off in the best way possible. 

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Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?

I have been working on Mereo for almost four years now. It started in the Theater school I went to in Amsterdam. I wanted to create a character to express my feelings in a larger than life way. I had a vision for the music but I didn’t know how to execute it. It took me a long time to develop the skill I needed to do this. 

Last year it all came together for the first time. I feel like I gave a little glimpse of what Mereo can be in my album ‘Synchronous’. But it’s just the start. There’s much more to Mereo’s story and ‘So Cold’ is the start of a new era. It’s so exciting.

What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion? 

It should tell me something about the artist. It doesn’t have to be personal but the motivation to make something should come from deep within. And art will reflect that. 

Who were your top 3 artists last year?

  • Weval: I just discovered their music last year and was instantly drawn to it. I love their rhythmic feel and the way they use sounds. They are very innovative. I only found out later that they are Dutch too. 
  • Diamond Cafe: I love what this guy is doing. Everything he makes feels like it comes from a different era. It’s very old school and I like it. 
  • The Weeknd: He is just on a different level from anyone else in pop music right now. I can hear all these influences in his music that I grew up on myself. And he just gets better at it every time. His superbowl performance was very inspiring too. 

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?

I try to relax a bit. It can be very hard because I’m looking for that next song all the time. But sometimes I need to calm down. Take my time. Watch a movie. Look at some art. Do something different at least. 

But there’s always inspiration. Sometimes you just forget where to look. 

What are your 2022 projects and goals?

I’m making another album. I want to make something that is an experience. Where many disciplines come together. Theater, Dance, Film and Music. 

After the album is out I want to take it to the stage to complete the experience. I can only hope that it’s possible again at some point.

Favorite movie or TV show?

There’s just too many good ones out there. A few movies I love recently are: Another Round (Mads Mikkelsen), Portrait d’un jeune fille en feu and The French Dispatch. 

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about

Since I released my last album I’ve been working hard on crafting the next project. Exactly one year after releasing ‘Synchronous’, ‘So Cold’ came to me. I knew from the first moment that this was the one. I wrote it in half an hour and finished the production and mix in a few weeks. I just started singing the lines ‘I’ve been waiting for you’. I had been waiting for this song for a long time if you think about it. So I made it about that exact feeling. 

What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?

I love listening to albums. Taking the time to sit down and listen to a piece of music with all my attention. The way that people consume music has changed so much and I don’t think that is wrong. Art is always gonna evolve. And artists have to adapt to the format they are working in. But the greatest artists on the other hand have always pushed the boundaries of the medium. And I hope that great music doesn’t get reduced to five second jingles. Music has the power to give escapism to people. To maybe get away from the fast life we live in and be in the universe of your favorite artist for a bit. 

Can you outline your creative process?

I just make a lot. It’s kind of ridiculous sometimes, but I’ve learned that I get better by just trying out stuff. Last year I wrote about 200 songs. I didn’t finish all of them but I just had to get them out of the way for the good stuff to come through. It’s definitely not an easy process. I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes but in the end it’s all about feeling. If it doesn’t feel right I won’t release it. 

Who inspires your style and aesthetics?

The look for this single was very much inspired by the original Blade Runner movie. Especially the way that Rutger Hauer looks in it. It’s a bit of a homage to the late Dutch actor. My style as Mereo comes from all different art forms. We shot the visuals in Wuppertal, Germany, home to the legendary Pina Bausch dance company. And for example the look for the ‘Favorite Moment’ video was heavily inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet movie. 

What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?

I guess that is this very moment to be honest with you. I feel like I’ve learned so much and I know what I have to do to make a truly impressive work of art. I’m finally ready to take my career to the next level and I’m only looking ahead. There’s some exciting stuff in the future. 

What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?

Sing about what you feel. Whatever I sing, that is what I really feel deep down. You will be original and relatable at the same time. 

Do you have any regrets?

Off course. You will hear about them in my music. 

What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?

Take it slow. There’s no rush. Develop your art and make something you’re truly proud of before you put it out there. You will fail a few times before you get there but it will be worth it.