Atwood Magazine is thrilled to present our Editor’s Picks column, curated and written by Editor-in-Chief Mitch Mosk. Each week, Mitch will highlight a selection of songs, albums, and artists that have captivated his attention. There is an abundance of incredible music out there just waiting to be discovered, and all we need is an open mind and a readiness to listen. With our Editor’s Picks, we aim to illuminate our personal music discoveries and feature a varied range of new and recent releases.
This week’s selections include Merpire, Bad Suns, Soft Loft, milk., Housewife, and Ruby Gill!
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Speaking of being in the moment, Merpire radiates that energy. The Melbourne-based artist's first song in three years is a passionate expression filled with humor, capturing desire and closeness in a delightful musical experience. Released on Valentine’s Day, “Premonition” encapsulates the intensity of love's initial spark – when everything feels fresh, exhilarating, and our hearts seem to leap into our stomachs.
“May as well start off with a bang, right?” Merpire, alias Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt, shares with Atwood Magazine. “I was reading my first fantasy novel, ‘The Name of the Wind’ by Patrick Rothfuss, at that time. The lyrical content and imagery of this song drew from the emotions of the main character and their feelings towards another character. The detailed honesty is painfully relatable. It made me reflect on the most intense moments of a crush, and the lyrics just flowed from that thought.”
Merpire wrote the lyrics and music separately, explaining, “I enjoy when a writer avoids the most predictable chord changes or modifies notes within a chord to enhance the emotion behind a lyric. I strive to write in that same vein; it encourages growth as a writer. I’m not a particularly skilled guitarist and my theoretical knowledge is limited – I know maybe five chord names, and the rest is about experimenting with shapes and sounds. While frustrating at times, this lack of theory allows me the freedom to explore what sounds I am drawn to.”
“I do know that I composed ‘Premonition’ in open D tuning with a high e string, which is a common practice for me. This makes it easier to incorporate those dissonant notes and 7ths and 9ths that I love. I learned to sing and play riffs simultaneously, and that process helped bring this song to life. I can’t quite tell you how or why the vocal melodies in the chorus emerged as they did; they just did. I also find the word ‘f*’ in the chorus quite playful.”
In the chorus, Merpire reaches an intensely cathartic moment, expressing those beautiful, raw emotions:
“When we hug it out, / I get a premonition we are alone / And we f* around / I get a premonition / I get a premonition.”
What makes “Premonition” stand out as a remarkable love song is Merpire's candid and vivid engagement with her emotions, focusing on the feelings rather than the relationship itself. “I’m at a party making a scene existing only inside of me,” she reveals in the second verse. Those twelve words encompass a whole universe, ripe for exploration and understanding. Many of us have experienced that uncertainty, the insecurity of a crush, and the anxiety that arises from ‘not knowing.’ “Nervous to even look at you now, in case you see yourself inside my head.”
“I’m at a party making a scene / Existing only inside of me / Nervous to even look at you now / In case you see yourself inside my head / There’s a pull in my skin / To show you where you’ve not been / It’s all I think about.”
The music video for “Premonition” intensifies the artist’s inner and outer fire. Merpire adds, “When crafting visuals for my music, I envision each song at a specific time of day. The lighting helps create the mood for me. ‘Premonition’ takes place at twilight when dark, natural surroundings become dream-like and surreal. We filmed this video on my phone at my Mum’s home in tropical Queensland, inspired by the lush wilderness surrounding her property. The garden symbolizes female anatomy, representing the blossoming of desire, paralleling the first lyric of the song, ‘I’m in the garden buzzing you in,’ open to interpretation from the listeners.”
“Premonition” marks an exciting return from one of Melbourne’s finest, not only showcasing Merpire’s musical skills but also her lyrical and storytelling prowess.
“Communicating” by Bad Suns
The fire that Bad Suns ignited thirteen years ago burns brightly still, exemplified by their latest luminous single. “Communicating” is a radiant and golden-hued expression of love, capturing a dreamy,
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Curated by Mitch Mosk, this week's Editor's Picks showcases tracks from Merpire, Bad Suns, Soft Loft, milk., Housewife, and Ruby Gill!