Naarm/Melbourne Merpire, the work of multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt, has long been a source of admiration here at the antipodean outpost of Backseat Mafia, and her new single ‘Bigger’ is another drop of dreamy pop gold in her sonic armoury. Bigger is an indeed appropriate title for a song that is luminescent and anthemic.
The guitars jangle with a crystalline edge and the track has a driving oscillation that explodes into a cinematic chorus and a soaring instrumental bridge.
There is a delicious romanticism in the delivery, highlighted by Merpire’s silky vocals and ear for infectious melodies. The lyrics capture with a sense of humour the anxiety of love in its early blushes:
With your fingers in my mouth
And when I stopped you going south
It couldn’t stop us from feeling like
This could be bigger than we thought
Merpire has the joyous pop sensibilities of artists like Sharon Van Etten and this is another shimmering example of her art. The track is accompanied by a luscious and passionate performance video directed, shot and edited by Merpire and Brooke Painter. Merpire’s enigmatic presence shines through:
The single is out today and available to download and stream here. It follows on from her come back single ‘Premonition’ (reviewed by me here) following a four year break from music. And on this evidence, it is good to have her back.
To add the icing to the cake, the single comes off Merpire’s newly announced album, ‘MILK POOL’ due out on 4 July 2025. You can pre-save it here and pre-order a special limited edition vinyl version here. Tours may well lie ahead.
‘MILK POOL’ was recorded at Melrose Place on Wurundjeri Country with production by Merpire, James Seymour (Pillow Queens, Elizabeth M. Drummond, Jacob Diamond), and contributions via James Dring (Nilüfer Yanya, Genesis Owusu, Porches) and Elizabeth M. Drummond, mixed by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, Perfume Genius).
On duty are Merpire herself, (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, synths, tambourine), James Seymour (backing vocals, piano, ukulele, electric guitars, bass, programmed drums, synths, percussion), James Dring (electric guitars, bass, drums, beats and percussion), Elizabeth M. Drummond (backing vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, programmed drums, synths, bass), Jess Ellwood (drums) and Jeremy Gara (drums, percussion).
Feature Photograph: Rick Clifford
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