Thoroughly hypnotic and haunting, “Where the Mermaids Are” is a beautifully atmospheric builder from Iranian-American (currently based out of Los Angeles) pop/crossover artist Maryama. The track journeys from a relatively sparse beginning, with wordless vocal croons and a tribal-like rhythm procession over jazzy piano flourishes. The vocal lead emerges just past 01:30, really lifting up around 02:15 when piano and guitar trickles emerging coincide with an uptick in vocal intensity, before concluding with a solemn “I’m gonna take you where the mermaids are.” Haunting, engrossing, and hypnotic, it’s a gorgeously developed track that comes along with an aptly trippy music video. Maryama isn’t lacking at all in atmosphere or emotional hooks, so the upward trajectory seems quite apparent.
