I don’t usually listen to a lot of Darkwave, but something about “When the Lights” by Mercy Land pulled me in from the first few seconds. It’s moody, haunting, and strangely catchy. The moment it ended, the hook “when the lights go out…” kept looping in my head, but with this unexpected brightness that crept in after all the gloom. That contrast really stuck with me.

The song layers Laura Jinn and Tatum Gale’s vocals in a way that feels like a search, for connection, for presence, maybe even for closure. You can almost picture two people drifting through a dance floor, missing each other by just a few steps. And yet, there’s still something danceable in the track, gritty synths, eerie guitars, and this driving drum machine that keeps your feet moving even while your thoughts spiral.

Mercy Land is clearly not afraid to lean into the theatrical and emotional. They bring the drama without ever feeling overdone. There’s romance, loss, darkness, and a little bit of hope flickering under it all. I’m keen to see the upcoming music video, which is apparently part of a bigger visual story connected to their Termites EP. If the rest of the project feels anything like this track, it’s going to be worth paying attention to.

About Mercy Land
Mercy Land is made up of Laura Jinn and Tatum Gale—artists who know how to walk the line between emotional vulnerability and synth-driven grit. Their music moves through darkwave, synthpop, and dream pop, and there’s always something raw and romantic in the mix. It’s theatrical, it’s stylish, and it never forgets to hit you in the heart.

Listen & Follow Mercy Land
LISTEN HERE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK