Los Angeles-based alternative R&B duo Mermaid (Brittany Campbell and Candace Quarrels) have released their highly anticipated debut album, Iridescence. Full of genre-rich exploration, free-spirited intention, and transcendent harmonies, Mermaid’s 13-track project captures their boundless intention, and then some. The duo invite listeners to share in their love throughout the thoughtful and joyful work of art, best seen on previously released singles, “On A Cloud,” “Purr,” and “Boundaries.”
Ahead of the release, today Mermaid shared the final taste of the project with the lyric video to their lo-fi R&B groover, “Thrivin’.” Across ambient beats and swaying, harmonic vocals, the duo croons about outside strains on their relationship, despite feeling secure in their own little bubble.
The duo says, “This song was written at a time when everybody seemed to be hating on our relationship…friends, family…and it really felt like we escaped into our own blissful bubble – our own world where we could be more than we were before.” They continue, “I don’t think any of us had felt a love like this, where we could feel ourselves changing, where we felt inspired in so many ways. It felt as if a dream had come true or a deep wish had been granted. The outro was masterfully conceived and produced by Sam Hoffman. We always perceived it as foreboding …when the dream begins to dissipate into reality.”
Mermaid will also be playing an album release show in celebration of the release on Saturday, November 18 in Los Angeles. Tickets and details available here.
Watch: “Thrivin’” Lyric Video
Even the greatest skeptic will believe in soulmates upon hearing Brittany Campbell and Candace Quarrels’ story. After individually winding their way through the worlds of theater and Broadway, appearing in major shows such as A Christmas Carol and The Book Of Mormon, the duo met while starring in the Chicago production of Hamilton. As Campbell and Quarrels discovered their musical and relationship compatibility, the pair went on to form Mermaid. They even quickly won the attention of Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard in 2020, who handpicked their song “Find Me” for NPR’s Tiny Desk Top Shelf contest.
Teaming up with co-producer Sam Hoffman (Mereba, Durand Bernarr), for the making of Iridescence – the majority of which was recorded in Campbell and Quarrels’ Highland Park home studio – the project explores tones ranging from soul and R&B mixes in a heady combination of alt-rock, jazz, punk, pop, and metal. Regardless of what sonic shade Iridescence adopts, Campbell and Quarrels build stunning, genre-defying compositions out of sublime harmonies and a true, unabiding love for each other. “This album is for anyone seeking the catharsis of a scream, a sigh, a moan, or a triumphant shout. Mermaid should be a space that feels boundless and free,” the duo says. “Mermaid is a journey in love, openness, and friendship. It’s us having fun and sharing our hearts.”
