Mercury’s Antennae - The Reflecting Skin
Seven years since the release of The Moon Viewing Garden EP, Mercury’s Antennae have re-emerged from the fog of time and memory with a stunning new single ‘The Reflecting Skin (William Faith Remix)’, released on February 22nd via Sett Records.
Currently based between Switzerland and the US, the trio comprises Dru Allen and Cindy Coulter of This Ascension, and Erick r. Scheid of The Palace of Tears. Their sound incorporates influences from shoegaze pop, ethereal darkwave, and unadorned acoustic beauty, while also drawing inspiration from ambient and modern electronica. Through the iconic Projekt label, Mercury’s Antennae released their debut album, A Waking Ghost Inside (2014); followed by The Guides EP (2015); and sophomore album, Beneath the Serene (2016).Their debut for Sett Records was 2018’s The Moon Viewing Garden EP, followed by appearances at prestigious festivals Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany; and Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival in Whitby, England. ‘The Reflecting Skin’ is the lead single from their long-waited third album, Among the Black Trees, forthcoming from Sett Records in Spring 2025.
With its driving chorus bass, serpentine swirl 12-string guitar, spacious ambient electronics and Dru Allen’s siren voice, the single release of ‘The Reflecting Skin’ is graced with a remix by the goth “all father” William Faith. His remix showcases a haunting, driving, hypnotic and atmospheric interpretation of the song: a sonic alchemy that seems to emanate from another time, another place. William says:
“Getting to remix ‘The Reflecting Skin’ was very much like going home for me. Having worked closely with Dru and my sister Cindy in This Ascension beginning some 32 years ago, this was very comfortable and familiar territory, though Erick’s sensibilities brought something new and different to work with, making for a dynamic and exciting creative endeavor. Overall, I feel like I managed to bridge the time gap with an interesting take on the song that is at once nostalgic and classic in feel, while updating the sonic depth and breadth in a way that suits the moment. It was a blast for me -- love it!”
Bassist Cindy Coulter, credited with writing the music for ‘The Reflecting Skin’, states:
“This track has quite a storied history! I originally came up withthe primary bass part back when I was in This Ascension with Dru in the mid1990s! I presented it to the band, I jammed it out with our drummer Matt andDru a number of times, but it was one of those ideas that just never tookflight. It got shelved for decades, but I always felt like maybe it would finda home somewhere.”
“Erick was very energized by the part, and was like, “we need to make this a song!” I didn't have a chorus written, so we collabed on that. Dru added her wonderful lyrics and voice, and it all came together very nicely.”
Vocalist and lyricist Dru Allen adds:
“’The Reflecting Skin’ came pre-named, and this really informed the lyrical content: the idea that other people are reflections of us, and what we gravitate toward, or are repulsed by, reflects our own inner positives and negatives.”
‘The Reflecting Skin’ single also includes as a B-side ‘Agalia MMXXV’, an updated version of a song originally released on the band’s debut, A Waking Ghost Inside (Projekt, 2014). This new mix features Cindy’s bass and Dru’s re-recorded vocals along with Erick’s layered guitars. Dru recounts:
“The vocals for ‘Agalia’ came together really organically for me – I heard the song, and the name Agalia just came to me. I searched for it and it is a girl’s name in Greek meaning “happy, bright”. I saw very clearly in my mind’s eye a story taking shape around this name.”
Mercury’s Antennae - ‘The Reflecting Skin (William Faith Remix)’: Lyric video
Mercury's Antennae - The Reflecting Skin (William Faith Remix) :: lyric video
The band’s long-awaited third album, Among the Black Trees, is slated for release on the Spring Equinox of 2025.
