They’re surfers, they build their own effects pedals and they once sketched out the designs for a synthesiser played entirely by pigeons – but on their second full-length album, the endlessly inventive Isle Of Wight five-piece Plastic Mermaids are facing their dark side. Driven by brothers Douglas and Jamie Richards, the album captures raw emotional turmoil through a unique blend of neo-psychedelia, chamber pop, and innovative electronica. Jamie’s tech genius, showcased in his Neon Egg effects pedal—used by industry giants like Bon Iver and Arcade Fire—adds lush, swirling textures to the album. Meanwhile, Douglas channels the pain of a seven-year relationship’s end, crafting lyrics that explore heartbreak from haunting melancholy to defiant resilience.

Tracks like Disco Wings and Something Better navigate complex emotional landscapes, balanced by grand musical arrangements and striking melodic hooks.
The album’s emotional depth and sonic ambition have resonated widely, earning praise from press and radio alike. Its atmospheric soundscapes, combined with powerful storytelling, have drawn comparisons to the Flaming Lips while maintaining an unmistakably personal identity influenced by artists like Bowie and Pink Floyd