03 November 2023 - 0 Comments

Acclaimed Wellington band Mermaidens today enter their bold self-assured era with the release of their highly anticipated self-titled fourth album, out now.

It's been four years since the release of Taite Music Prize nominated album, Look Me In The Eye. During this time, the world experienced an unusual shift in its perception of time. Gussie Larkin, Mermaidens' vocalist and guitarist, shared, "I wasn't planning on staying in New Zealand after Look Me in the Eye was released. I was all set to move to Berlin in 2020!" But thanks to the unforeseen circumstances, Mermaidens found themselves with ample time for introspection and creative exploration. Gussie continued, "The past few years have been a lesson in patience and not putting too much pressure on myself to create fast."

Lily West (bass, vocals), added, "not being able to take leaps and strides with our lives led us to create much bolder music. I really relished in the longer process of writing and recording the music”.

This slowing down of the creative process meant Mermaidens was written and recorded between 2019 and 2022. Being afforded this time to spend crafting the album is apparent while listening. Every sound, every lyric and every melody was considered with a huge amount of care and although Mermaidens have been playing together for 10 years, having learnt to play instruments by playing together, Mermaidens is the most distilled they have ever been.

The majority of the album was recorded at Surgery Studios in Wellington and a smattering of sessions at co-producer Samuel Flynn Scott’s home studio ‘Sunny Valley Studios’ where many cups of tea were consumed in between takes. Jol Mulholland also lent his talents to the album, recording guitars and vocals to help bring the album to completion alongside Gussie at ‘The Oven’ a compact, hot studio nestled inside Auckland studio ‘The Lab’.

On working with The Phoenix Foundation’s Samuel Flynn Scott, Lily suggests it has been a round trip in their creativity ‘we grew up listening to Sam’s early records and here we are getting the inside scoop on how to make that kind of magic. Sometimes it felt like we’d added an evil genius to the mix, we’d be working on a song and he’d come in like a mad scientist with fresh ideas to try. We also wanted a bit of a mentor. Because we basically started learning music by playing together, sometimes we can’t imagine beyond our specific sound. We wanted to break beyond that.”

“Working with Mermaidens was very rewarding. My role as producer became more like the role of caretaker, funnelling all their ideas together. I love three piece bands, especially ones who’ve been playing together since they were young. There’s a symbiotic nature to the music, and there is always this suave where, even if the music is pummelling there is still room for the songs to breathe. I learnt a lot from the album and I’m so proud of what they have made.” - Samuel Flynn Scott (Co-Producer)

The result is eleven songs each with their own narrative, their own sound and their most refined body of work to date. In a nod to consuming music in physical form, the album is carefully curated into two sides. Side A is full of loud and propulsive songs, including singles Sister, I Like To Be Alone and Foolish drawing inspiration from iconic bands like The Breeders, L7, Sleater Kinney with Weezer. Side B is for the leftfield songs, the synth driven softer songs that invite the listener to take a load off. There are hints of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive in these sparkly sound explorations - all unified by a bold, adventurous, and self-confident band. The hallmark Mermaidens themes of self-awareness and introspection are ever-present.

Released alongside the album today is new single and video Sour Lips. Unapologetically boisterous, Sour Lips is Mermaidens using their loudest outside voices. Lily’s driving bass lines piece together perfectly with Abe’s dynamic drumming. The song is a flipside to a typical Mermaidens track. Where most are a take on the inner voice, one that perhaps isn’t often heard, Sour Lips celebrates taking up space, speaking what is on your mind loudly and proudly.

The video takes the viewer straight back to the 90's with director Ryan Fielding drawing inspiration from MTV, Beavis & Butthead, X-Files and 7-Eleven stores. A full scale ‘Merm-E-Mart’ shop complete with branded props including a somewhat suss SourLips™ slushie drink was assembled by the band and crew in Golden Bay. The vision came to life through some spectacular acting…

“The song instantly made me think of a 7-Eleven slushee drink set in some alternate 90's timeline. The idea evolved into cults, slacker kids, UFO's, all mysteriously connecting back to this tweaked out Sour Lips drink. Shooting on 16mm film helped us achieve that 'straight to home-video' vibe” - Ryan Fielding (Sour Lips Director)

WATCH: Sour Lips by Mermaidens

Dive into Mermaidens the absorbing new album from New Zealand’s favourite threesome. Out now via Bandcamp on exclusive clear blue vinyl, and wherever good music is sold. Catch them live on the Mermaidens Album Release Tour this November/December, details at mermaidens.co.nz.

Mermaidens out now available HERE

Photo Credit: Sarah Burton

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