Mermaidens - Undergrowth (2016)

Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, Mermaidens' moody, angular indie rock takes inspiration from post-punk, grunge, and psychedelic rock as well as more melodious dream pop. They made their label debut with their second album, 2017's Perfect Body.

Childhood friends Gussie Larkin (vocals/guitar), Lily West (vocals/bass), and Abe Hollingsworth (drums) formed Mermaidens in 2013 after attending local Camp a Low Hum music festival and deciding to try to play it the following year. They not only met that goal but recorded two EPs, Bones and O, both issued in 2014. Mermaidens self-released their first full-length, Undergrowth, in 2016, a year that saw them open shows for acts including Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, and Mac DeMarco.

Flying Nun Records took notice and signed the group for their sophomore album, 2017's Perfect Body. Mermaidens were then hand-picked to open one of the New Zealand shows on Lorde's Melodrama world tour that November. Continuing to sharpen their sound with long-time collaborator James Goldsmith, they headed back to the studio the following year. The resulting Look Me in the Eye arrived via Flying Nun in September 2019. ~ Marcy Donelson