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Los Angeles duo Brittany Campbell and Candance Quarrells better known as Mermaid have finally shared their exciting debut album, Iridescence which was released officially on the 17th November 2023.
Both ladies have had such a rich and colourful journey which included being part of the production Hamilton, which is notably where the two women met. With their new friendship and shared love of music, this led to the birth of Mermaid.
With the debut album out there in the world, I was fortunate enough to check out the album myself, and I will say straight up now what a stunning body of work. Just like the name Iridescence the record is beaming with illuminating throughout. So with that being said let’s take a closer look.
The album begins with the opening track Block 37, where we are able to hear totally captivating vocals and some of the most poetic lyrics delivered in a way which just draw you in. With it being an intro track, it only lasts just over a minute, but just enough to enchant you with lyrics such as ‘taste like dreams, or an ocean so blue, a place to explore the depths of me and you’. Spoken softly hearing those words just filled me with such warmth and beauty and is one of the most striking things I have heard in a very long time. I am only at the very beginning of this album and already I feel serenaded much like a true Mermaid’s call.
From this special introduction the album transitions nicely into Thrivin and is just such a warm and joyous song which comes from such a positive place full of good vibes. Brittany and Candance’s voices just bounce off each other so well, and such perfect harmonies. The overall song is a good one if you are looking for something to keep your head up against all the haters out there or all those people who got nothing better to do but gossip, because it is kind of turning around and saying to all those critics out there, keep on looking I will give you something to talk about.
The following lyrics being a prime example, ‘sitting on on top of the world, feeling like things were going my way, people saying haven't you seen haven't you heard the two little birds, harmony, you and me, we could be fun, on the rise on the run from everyone, honestly you and me, we could become what’s inside’. I just love that whole entire verse in just a few sentences the listener is able to feel the confidence instilled within them. Next time I see a hater coming my way, I am not going to react, just play this track to them haha!
Next on the album is Purr, very sleek and full of sophistication. I love how as writers Brittany and Candance just spark the curiosity within the listener and really get them to think outside the box.
The whole song is brilliant and intricate, and my favourite part if probably the chorus: 'I was on the b side, Inside, Life passing by, He was on dark side, Wrong time, Murder went viral, Hours on the hive mind, Wide eyes, Shut in the spiral, I was on the b side, Inside, Murder went viral’. Everything about it sounds so abstract and poetic.
So far I have taken you through three of the tracks on the record, and based on those already I am enjoying the vibe, but wait there is much more goodness yet to discover. Without giving away all the secrets and spoilers lets just pick out a few more to draw your attention to.
One of my favourites to highlight would have to be Boundaries, as there is such a different vibe to it compared to the earlier tracks on the album, and just has a burst of energy. The ladies have already proven to be quite brilliant and strong songwriters, and Boundaries I feel we get to see even more like that, as you can really get a sense of them going that extra mile. The song kind of reminds me of the likes of Taylor Swift, because it could get away as being a really good pop track with a rock edge to it giving it the potential to open the world of Mermaid to a much wider spectrum of fans.
Another track I need to mention, just based on how beautiful it is, would have to be On A Cloud. Compared to some of the other tracks on this record, this was a lot more gentler, but is still an opportunity to see even more of a softer side to Mermaid whilst still providing the opportunity to hear even more of their stunning vocals both individually and as a duo.
The final recommendation for now that I must mention is Dreamer, which just gives me butterflies. I love when lyrics and music are brought together to create some poetic and wholesome, but with Dreamer that sensation is elevated to a much more deeper level. Like how can you not hear the words, ‘call me a dreamer, new age believer, flower in bloom, oooo, call me a sinner, the undelivered we are the doomed’ and not feel a connection and a resonance, because this is a one that speaks to the mind. The rest of the lyrics are just as powerful because there is just so much rawness emotively which just adds an extra layer of beauty to the song as a whole.
Having had a good listen to the album, I am just very impressed by each and every track because with each song, Brittany and Candance have brought something different, with each track taking on its own identity. We also have a range of different styles, so regardless of your usual genre, your still going to find something you love as you go through every song one by one, making the experience all the more unifying.
As debut albums go, the potential of Mermaid really shines through and speaks volumes on this record, and I am confident that what follows next will become a very special chapter for Brittany and Candance indeed. Available to listen to on all major platforms, take that first step and listen to Iridescence today.
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Article By Thushara Chandrasiri
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