Polaroids by Plastic Mermaids: A Psychedelic Joyride You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s get one thing straight—Psychedelic Rock isn’t exactly what you’d call “mainstream” these days. But every now and then, an album like Polaroids by Plastic Mermaids sneaks up on you, grabs your brain by the scruff, and takes it on a kaleidoscopic joyride through 2014 UK vibes. Released under Cross Keys Records, this record is less of a traditional rock album and more of a fever dream with a killer soundtrack.
The titular track, “Polaroids (Radio Edit),” is where things kick off in style. It’s catchy as hell, but not in that annoying pop-song-stuck-in-your-head way. Instead, it feels like someone handed The Beatles a time machine and said, “Go nuts in 2014.” There’s this woozy, sun-drenched vibe to it—like listening to music while lying on a beach made entirely of melted vinyl records. The chorus sticks to you like gum under a festival chair, but in the best possible way. You’ll find yourself humming it at random moments, like when you’re stuck in traffic or pretending to care during awkward Zoom calls.
Another standout? “Neon Bonsai” (yes, that’s a real song title). If quirky had a sound, this would be it. Imagine if David Bowie decided to write a love letter to a potted plant while tripping on something mildly questionable. It’s got layers—layers so thick they might require a spatula to peel apart. One minute, you’re vibing to its funky bassline; the next, you’re lost in some ethereal synth haze that makes you question whether reality is even a thing anymore. Also, bonus points for making bonsais seem cooler than leather jackets.
What I love about Polaroids is how unapologetically weird it is. This isn’t background music for dinner parties—it’s front-and-center stuff that demands your attention. Plastic Mermaids don’t just play instruments; they conjure entire worlds out of thin air. And honestly, who else could make a radio edit feel experimental?
So yeah, if you’re into music that challenges your eardrums without completely abandoning melody, give this album a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing neon bonsais everywhere afterward. Or maybe that’s just me… Either way, hats off to Plastic Mermaids for creating something this gloriously bonkers. Now excuse me while I go figure out what year it actually is.
