Written by Alivia Stonier
Mercury, a solo shoegaze project from the heart of Nashville and the mind of Maddie Kerr, is back for more after the 2024 release of her EP entitled ‘Swarm the Hive Mind‘.With this return came the track ‘Justin’s Headed Out‘, a track that carries off of the emotional upheaval of her previous work.
Released by Big Loud Records and produced by Alex Ferrar, of both MJ Lenderman and Snail Mail, it acts as a collaborative return to that of her work with Ferrar on her most recent EP. While that EP is seen as a sort of continuation of her first EP entitled ‘Together We Are One, You And I’, and the grief and pain that was explored about life within those projects. This new song instead brings a sweeter tone to the table while still incorporating grunge and indie elements.
The track opens with soft drums and heavy guitar and the angelic energy that Kerr brings to her work as she sets the scene with the lyrics, “Wanna hop a train car tonight / Anyone want to join me?” This impulsive energy is offset by soft vocals that carry through the song and a sharp self-awareness. This single is a definitive departure from previous tracks like ‘Born in Early May’ that offer a more guttural emotional entryway into the artist’s work paired with a bridge full of screams that bear everything out on the table.
However, not unlike previous works, the lyricism still features a reflective lens. It is easy to get swept up in love and the rush that comes with wanting to be wanted, even when we know the risk involved. Kerr sings, “I get ahead of my own heart sometimes, but I want to know your mind; I want to know you’re mine.” What makes someone feel more alive than love? The track effortlessly carries the listener through aimless nights of falling for someone, wandering the night streets, and busy cities looking for that thrill of life.
As the song continues, the chorus builds into a gentle plea that carries you towards the end. Just as raw and ripped open as the work that Kerr explains is her “means of survival,” according to the Mercury website. This continued growth of writing from a place of vulnerability comes off the tails of her previous EP, which Kerr reports taught her that it is okay to be hurt, and despite the song being a more gentle confession, it is undeniable that sometimes the ones we love most can end up being the ones that lead to the most hurt, and yet the single begs to know the person’s mind.
The track also marks a growth point sonically, as the project is not afraid to step into darker waters and then allow moments of brevity. ‘Justin’s Headed Out’ is a single that shows an exciting direction for the artist and isn’t one that fans want to miss. The band is sure to have more to come as we enter the heart of fall, with the band soon to begin touring with Arcy Drive across the United States and parts of Canada.
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