Mermaid Avenue’s “Loveday No. 9” is an impressive showcase of their genre-defying musicality. The album explores the intricacies of relationships from various angles, proving the band’s commitment to authenticity and storytelling through music. Opening with the luscious soundscape and happy-go-lucky Americana aesthetic on “Embers of Fires Gone”, it is after all “just a country song”.
Throughout the 10 tracks, Mermaid Avenue seamlessly blends elements of Americana, alt-country, and indie rock, creating a sound that’s innately classical but also keenly modern and with a sheen of tomorrow. Their refusal to conform to a single genre is a testament to their artistry and dedication to crafting music that resonates on a deeper level. Ballads like “Fear of a Bleeding Heart” showcase the songwriting chops and the rousing and building progressivism of a well pieced together ballad. “This kind of love , should have left it at the bar”. It’s in the lyricism, the minute details, and the craftiness of the songwriting overall that Mermaid Avenue capture your emotions.
“Loveday No. 9” is just a whole lot of fun from back to front, a consistently catchy and playful record filled with wonderful songwriting and melodic bops from back to front.