“It was meant to get people excited, but without really knowing what they’re excited for,” says frontman Marcus Bridge, of the unorthodox release. “We like a bit of mystery when it comes to starting things up again, so it was to get people talking, get people speculating, and it’s pretty funny to see the conclusions that some people have come to.”
Mesmer is a progression for the Sydney band, musically and thematically. Following on from the themes of previous album Node, the album stays true to Northlane’s traditional, heavy, metalcore, but with a fresh take of electronic elements and a new lyrical perspective.
“Jon is always moving forward and got the next thing in mind, so musically, he was always headed in this direction. I feel if anything, this is a clearer vision from our heads, because we’re more sure of what we’re trying to do. And we’re just trying to do what we like doing. Trying to express ourselves in different ways than we have before.”
In his second album as the five piece’s frontman, after joining the band alongside original members Jon Deiley, Josh Smith, Alex Milovic and Nic Pettersen, in 2014, Bridge is relieved to say he’s found a new confidence as a part of the band. A fan of a more personal approach when it comes to writing, on Mesmer he’s felt more comfortable revelling in his own personal style and voice.
“Some of these songs are a lot more personal than anything Northlane have touched on before, which is something very important to me. In terms of writing lyrics, I’m very much a writer from personal experience, I like to get feelings out, whereas Josh is a bit more worldly, out looking view of everything, and looking at the big picture of the world,” Butler says.
After joining the band, Bridge feels he went through a transitionary period of wanting to please the existing fans, consequently feeling “confined”. Mesmer has served as a breakthrough for Northlane, combining the Bridge’s introspective lyrics – such as referencing his father’s passing – with broader themes, simultaneously taking their sound forward with intense emotions, and settling them into a new rhythm.
“The actual recording process of Mesmer gave us a lot more confidence in what we’re doing. I’ve really been able to open up on some of these new songs, and it’s a great release to finally express myself in that way.
“Given the history of Northlane and the subjects they talk about, I felt sceptical that if I did bring a more personal, sort of emo touch,” he laughs with a self-deprecating twinge, “that they wouldn’t be into it. But all the guys were really supportive of that, some of those songs are some of their favourites off the album, and that gives me more confidence for the future.”
Confidence is a running theme in all of Bridge’s talk of the album, and much of this newfound assuredness in what Northlane are doing can be attributed to Mesmer’s producer, David Bendeth – who’s worked with the likes of Paramore, Kaiser Chiefs, Bring Me The Horizon, to name a few – whose, at times unconventional approach heightened the member’s awareness of their roles in the band, and the intricacies of those positions, to create the best possible album.
“Besides his producing, he’s got a degree in psychology. He was playing mind games through most of it. We came in that first day and he broke us. He blew our minds. I can’t even remember what happened, I got really emotional that first day. It was so emotional, so hard to explain,” Butler says.
“It was a crazy way he was able to bring out these things in everyone that we didn’t know were there, but without us knowing until afterwards, when we sat back and realise he was playing us, he got us. And in the end, he revealed a lot of stuff and made us all be more open with each other. It was really crazy, it made everyone feel real comfortable to present their ideas.
“I’m a pretty nervous dude. I get very nervous presenting ideas and what people might think. I’m very self conscious like that. But he was able to bring my confidence out of me, without me even realising it. Instead of being afraid of what the guys may think, he helped me boost my confidence in the studio.”
At the core of all this growth for the band, is the growing friendship and trust between the members. Taking more time out of their schedules to get together and get to know each other created the best creative environment possible.
“This time around we got to spend more time together, spent some time in Germany trying to work on ideas and practicing parts of new songs, we didn’t get that chance with Node, and Northlane didn’t really get that chance with any of their albums. I feel that’s something that’s been really important with all this, is people being more comfortable with what they have to say.”
By Claire Morley
