By Kourtney Gierke, Contributor

[Darling Records; 2024]

Rating: 8/10

Key Tracks: “Backyard Lover,” “Foolish and Fast,” “Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild”

Merce Lemon released her newest album Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild on Sept. 27 via Darling Records. With only nine tracks, she uses every second to create an equally beautiful and heartbreaking work of art. In Lemon’s third album, she grows and evolves as an artist from her 2020 album Moonth.

The album opens with the folky “Birdseed,” painting an artsy and nature-filled picture for the listeners. It’s the cheeriest song on the album. “I’ve been eating like the birds / So maybe I’ll grow wings / Wouldn’t that be something / I can feel life easy when I’m flying / Only coming down for / A nosedive in the ocean / And my wings turn to fins when I’m swimming” are stand out lyrics from the track. 

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Lemon’s folky lyricism is inspired by growing up in Pittsburgh. She tells Darling Records “There are big hills, three rivers, and more bridges than anywhere in the whole world.” Her Pittsburgh roots serve as inspiration for her music, along with the support from her artistically inclined family. 

Guitarist and vocalist Merce Lemon is joined by bandmates Reid Magette (guitar), Ben Brody (bass), Pat Coyle (drums), and Justin Long (violin), who give the raw and unique instrumentation power. The rockier songs are accompanied by the slower, acoustic songs that feature string accompaniment.

“Backyard Lover” turns toward a more indie-rock sound. Starting out on the same acoustic path, the song later erupts into a dramatic guitar solo over heavier drums as the song encapsulates the grief of losing a friend. A single for the album, Lemon shows her strongest growth as an artist on this song.

“Foolish and Fast” is one of her strongest songs on the album. With Pat Coyle’s backing vocals accompanying the chorus and the dramatic instrumentation, this song stands out as different from her previous work. Lemon’s intense lyrics “If home is where the heart is / It’s where the waves come crashing / My tapes are blasting a country song / Put the bottle on the table / Let it stay ‘til I’m not able / To see your face in every place that I go.” 

The album’s closer and title track “Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild” showcases her talent and unique capabilities within the boundaries of indie-folk. The lyrics “And a tree fell, I smell the wood / And the bark is coming off / I write my words down on it / And honestly the thoughts of a husband are weighing down on me” are equally heartbreaking and captivating.

Though the album is beautiful with gorgeous lyrics and instrumentation, it can sound slightly repetitive and dull. Many of the songs on the album sound very similar to each other with slight variations, resulting in less experimentation within the body of work.

Despite this, Merce Lemon’s third album Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild is a stunning work to add to her already incredible discography. With insanely talented lyrics and the instrumentation from her bandmates, this album is raw, heartfelt, and crafted from the genius innermost emotions of Merce Lemon herself.

Listen here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5jhCAXSADJb5mTSYRaqO3X?si=efwqh2ZUROeviuA5glcVFw