Mercurial is the third studio album by Australian folk musician Vera Blue (the second under the name Vera Blue). It was released on 28 October 2022 through Island Records Australia.[6][7]

Mercurial
Studio album by
Released28 October 2022[1]
GenreIndie pop[2]
Length33:17
Label
Vera Blue chronology
Lady Powers Live at the Forum
(2018)
Mercurial
(2022)
Singles from Mercurial
  1. "The Curse"
    Released: 25 May 2022[3]
  2. "Mermaid Avenue"
    Released: 16 September 2022[4]
  3. "Feel Better"
    Released: 4 November 2022[5]

Upon announcement on 31 August 2022, Vera Blue said "This body of work has been a long time coming and tells the stories of my life since Perennial came into the world. This album is colourful, emotional, personal, chaotic, passionate, transformative and beautiful and most of all, mercurial."[8][7] The album was preceded by the release of the singles "The Curse" and "Mermaid Avenue". To support the album, Vera Blue embarked on the Mercurial Tour, commencing in the Gold Coast on 3 November 2022.[6][7]

Mercurial was released on vinyl on 12 May 2023 featuring two new songs, "One Condition" and "Take Your Time".[9]

Reception

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Bryget Chrisfield from Beat Magazine said "Mercurial intersperses soul-searching ballads with electropop bangers for dancing the hurt away." Chrisfiend ended the review saying, "her vocals are perennially flawless and, throughout the deeply personal Mercurial, Pavey embraces vulnerability as a superpower."[10]

Zoë Radas form Stack Magazine said "Mercurial has been crafted with the stage in mind; it's changeable and volatile like its namesake, full of thick bass and synths, and imbued with an urgent spirit."[11]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Celia Pavey, Andy Mak, and Thom Mak, except where noted. All tracks are produced by Andy Mak and Thom Mak, except where noted

Mercurial standard edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Alright Now"  3:32
2."Lethal"  2:49
3."Feel Better"  3:07
4."The Curse"
  • Pavey
  • Billy Johnston
  • A. Mak
  • Johnston
2:44
5."Heart Still Works"  3:55
6."Everything Is Wonderful"  3:22
7."Wherever We Go"  3:19
8."Mermaid Avenue"  3:09
9."Trust Fall"
  • A. Mak
  • Solomon
3:31
10."Red Rose"  3:49
Total length:33:17
Mercurial deluxe edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
3."One Condition"  3:18
4."Feel Better"  3:07
5."The Curse"
  • Pavey
  • Johnston
  • A. Mak
  • Johnston
2:44
6."Heart Still Works"  3:55
7."Everything Is Wonderful"  3:22
8."Take Your Time"  3:39
9."Wherever We Go"  3:19
10."Mermaid Avenue"  3:09
11."Trust Fall"
  • Pavey
  • Solomon
  • Goldstein
  • A. Mak
  • Solomon
3:31
12."Red Rose"  3:48
Total length:40:13

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Celia Pavey – vocals
  • Andy Mak – programming (all tracks), synthesizer (1–9), bass guitar (3, 4), piano (4, 6, 8–10), drums (5, 7), guitar (7); background vocals, strings (10)
  • Thom Mak – guitar (tracks 1, 4, 5, 7), synthesizer (1–3, 5–8, 10), bass guitar (3), background vocals (10)
  • Billy Johnston – programming, synthesizer (4)
  • Steve Solomon – synthesizer (9)

Technical

  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering
  • Scott Horscroftmixing (1–3, 5–10)
  • Mark Rankin – mixing (4)
  • Andy Mak – engineering (1–10)
  • Jackson Barclay – engineering (1, 5, 7, 10)
  • Billy Johnston – engineering (4)
  • Thom Mak – engineering (4)
  • Steve Solomon – engineering (9)

Charts

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Chart performance for Mercurial
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] 61

Release history

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Release dates and formats for Mercurial
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label Catalogue Ref.
Australia 28 October 2022 Standard 4850893 [6]
12 May 2023 Vinyl 5501531 [9]
  • Digital download
  • streaming
  • vinyl
Deluxe 4557912

References

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  1. ^ "Mercurial by Vera Blue". Apple Music. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Vera Blue is Feeling Mercurial".
  3. ^ "Vera Blue Releases New Electropop Ballad 'The Curse'". Music Feeds. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (15 September 2022). "Vera Blue has shared details of her upcoming second album Mercurial, and has delivered new song "Mermaid Avenue" to accompany the news". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Here's the Artwork for My Latest Single "Feel Better"". Facebook. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Newstead, Al (31 August 2022). "Vera Blue announces new album Mercurial and 2022 Australian tour". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Vera Blue will tour Australia in November and December". beat.com.au. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Vera Blue 2022 Australia Tour". scenestr.com.au. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Vera Blue's 'Mercurial' To Be Released On Vinyl For The First Time". The Music. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Vera Blue embraces vulnerability as a superpower in 'Mercurial'". Beat Magazine. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Vera Blue on the emotional and sonic spirit of 'Mercurial'". Stack Magazine. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  12. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 7 November 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1705. Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 November 2022. p. 6.
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