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Profound Loss Inspired Madeline Merlo's New Single 'War Paint'

The inspiration for the song might make you cry.

It was a song that Madeline Merlo simply had to write.

The 21-year old singer-songwriter from Maple Ridge, B.C. released her debut album Free Soul earlier this spring. Her latest single "War Paint" tells a very personal story, about the loss of a friend to mental illness.

"I had a friend who battled with her mental health and ended up losing that battle. I didn't really get a chance to fight for her," explained Merlo during a visit to The Huffington Post Canada. "I didn't know she was in as dark situation as she was."

She dedicated the song to all those who suffer alone, hoping it might bring them hope, and a will to battle and survive.

Merlo, a rising country music star, has been tearing up the Canadian scene since being discovered at age 17 in her hometown. Last year, she was named the Canadian Country Music Association Rising Star and the B.C. Country Music Association Awards' female vocalist of the year.

Watch the video above to see an acoustic performance of "War Paint."

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