Upper Wilds to release new album ‘Mercury’ with title track available for listening
Ronen Givony, a seasoned figure in the live music scene in New York City, penned a compelling book titled Us v. Them: The Age Of Indie Music And A Decade In New York (2004-2014). The book delves into the pulse of the city during a time when indie rock was making waves in the mainstream music scene. Rather than fixating on industry giants, Givony shines a light on the unsung heroes who managed vital Brooklyn venues like Glasslands and Silent Barn or orchestrated extravagant shows such as the Boredoms’ remarkable 77-drummer, 77-minute concert on 7/7/07. The book also features portraits of bands that coexisted with the more recognizable indie darlings, including Sea Ray and Dragons Of Zynth.
One of the standout bands in Givony’s narrative is Parts & Labor, the dynamic noise-pop ensemble led by BJ Warshaw and Dan Friel, with a notable appearance by Christopher R. Weingarten, a drummer in their lineup. Reading about Parts & Labor shed light on their place in the fabric of the New York rock scene and deepened my admiration for their body of work. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and explore both the book and the band’s music.
Although Parts & Labor, along with Weingarten, recently regrouped for their first album and tour in 15 years, Friel continues to pursue his post-P&L project, Upper Wilds. Today, Upper Wilds unveiled Mercury, the sequel to their 2023 release, Jupiter, following a celestial theme with previous albums titled Venus and Mars. Set for release at the end of summer, Mercury presents its scorching title track today. Friel provided insights on the album’s inspiration:
During the initial stages of writing this album, I underwent a procedure to remove skin cancer from my face. While the procedure was routine and painless, it resulted in a scar, serving as a poignant reminder of the transition from our life-sustaining sun to a perceived adversary. This transformation resonates with facets of my current stage in life (middle age) and societal issues prevalent today. The lyrical content serves as a metaphor representing various antagonists, such as the internet, substance abuse, and capitalism:
Everything looks like fuel to a fire
Just can’t help but burn a little higher
Kept us warm but now it needs to feed
And I feel those flames come hunting after me
’til it all feels like Mercury
Mercury’s tracklist includes “Mercury,” “Fever,” “Death Song #3,” “Burning Bright,” “Reaper,” “Green-Wood Cemetery,” “Timekeeper,” “Dark Road,” “Hellfire,” and “Dying Star.” The album is scheduled for release on 8/28 through Thrill Jockey.
Liz Miller