Swordfish (Merk album) explained

Swordfish
Type:studio
Artist:Merk
Cover:Merk - Swordfish.jpg
Released:18 November 2016
Recorded:April–October 2016
Length:28:03
Producer:Mark Perkins

Swordfish is the debut studio album by New Zealand pop musician Merk released on 18 November 2016 by Dew Process and Flying Out. It was written and produced by Merk under his real name, Mark Perkins.

Background and promotion

Merk's debut single "No Better Reason" was released to his SoundCloud on 19 May 2016.[1] His second single "Manchuria" was released on 3 June.[2] The third single "I'm Easy" was released on 26 August; a music video was released beforehand on 30 March.[3] [4] His fourth single off the album "Ash & Sand" was released just on his SoundCloud similar to his first.[5]

Swordfish was then released on 18 November in CD, digital download, and limited run cassette tape formats.[6]

"Lucky Dilemma" a single released on 2 May 2018, was later added to subsequent reissues of Swordfish.[7]

Writing and composition

The albums genres are categorised as alternative pop, indie pop, and psychedelic pop. The track "Treehouse Club" is about human's overall sense of dissatisfaction and how they're all waiting for something better. Mark Perkins said, "our natural tendency is to either be consumed by the future or the past." Perkins describes "Lucky Dilemma" as being about "the paradox of choice - sometimes we have so many options it's crippling instead of empowering."[8]

Merk stated it took him about six months to record the album and that he made five alternate versions to every song.[9]

Critical reception

Felix Mpunga from NZ Musician praised the album, particularly "how managed to keep his project short and sweet at 25 minutes, whilst showing off his skills as musician and producer."[10] Swordfish won the Independent Music NZ's inaugural Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award in 2017.[11]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from iTunes.[12]

Personnel

Adapted from BandCamp.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: No Better Reason by merk. SoundCloud. 19 May 2016. 2 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Manchuria - Single by Merk. Apple Music. 3 June 2016. 2 July 2019.
  3. Web site: I'm Easy - Single by Merk. Apple Music. 26 August 2016. 2 July 2019.
  4. Web site: Merk – I'm Easy. merk's cool songs. 30 March 2016. 2 July 2019.
  5. Web site: Ash & Sand by merk. SoundCloud. 10 November 2016. 2 July 2019.
  6. Web site: merk - This the front/back cover of the CD sleeve for my album!. Facebook. 17 November 2016. 2 July 2019.
  7. Web site: Lucky Dilemma - Merk. 2 May 2018. 2 July 2019.
  8. Web site: Merk Unveils Upbeat Single 'Lucky Dilemma'. Under the Radar. 2 February 2018. 2 July 2018.
  9. Web site: ‘I’m trying not to be a rock band’: Merk on the isolation of laptop production. The Spinoff. Henry. Oliver. 17 August 2017. 2 July 2019.
  10. Web site: Merk: Swordfish. NZ Musician. Felix. Mpunga. 18 November 2016. 2 July 2019.
  11. Web site: Who will the next winner of the Taite Music Prize be?. Independent Music NZ. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2019
  12. Web site: Swordfish by Merk. Apple Music. 18 November 2016. 2 July 2019.
  13. Web site: Swordfish - Merk. Bandcamp. 18 November 2016. 2 July 2019.
  14. Web site: Interview: 2017 Must-Know - Merk. Coup De Main Magazine. Rose. Riddell. 12 February 2017. 2 July 2019.
  15. Web site: Top 20 New Zealand Albums Chart #4312. The Official New Zealand Music Chart. 26 December 2016. 2 July 2019.

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