Even for a band that trafficks in dream pop, The Sea Life’s new heavy-lidded single “Prozac and Merlot” sounds especially hazy. Stuck to the couch—and not only because the Rockville band recorded it in a living room—the tune dwells in a medicated fog that didn’t seem to hang over The Sea Life’s energetic, bell-clear release from 2013, Transitions.
That’s not to say the single, released today on The Sea Life’s Bandcamp page (and available on cassette), is somehow weak or ineffective; far from it. The song beats back its demons by casting shadows, brightening occasionally with light, ringing guitars. It all sounds held underwater until the tune breaks to the surface with a flash of psychedelia and distortion.
“Did you take your meds today?” creaks singer Jon Weiss before offering some dubious medical advice: “Don’t forget the wine.”
The Sea Life plays tonight at Black Cat with Humble Fire and Sun Club.