Indie Pop Duo Merlot Embargo Take on Toxic Positivity with “It Could Be Worse”
Merlot Embargo is the indie pop husband and wife duo based out of Los Angeles. It all started after a near fatal car accident that crushed their little Toyota, and sent them scrambling out the newly-destroyed rear window. That brush with death, and time of self-reflection, drove them to share their music with the world.
Some might consider them (Scarlet and Geoff) an unlikely duo: Scarlet, a seat-of-the-pants singer-songwriter, and Geoff a music school nerd and engineer. But the blending of their different approaches to music, and life, has helped them create music that's provocative, but approachable. They temper each other's worst tendencies, and in their good moments, bring out the best qualities in the other.
Their new single “It Could Be Worse” is a bouncing indie pop song surrounding toxic positivity, touching on a phrase that became all too common during the pandemic, "it could be worse," and how it was used to downplay serious issues such as Covid and systemic racism.
“It seemed like there was something finally that would unite us all in commonality and mutual aid - and yet somehow the divisiveness became even more dramatic and there were so many who would jump through endless mental hoops to keep from feeling empathy for their fellow man. ‘It could be worse’ - one of the worst things you could ever say to someone who is suffering,” shares the duo.
Musically speaking, the song is quite reminiscent of Paramore and American Authors, with a touch of Foster the People thrown in for good measure.
"It Could Be Worse" is a great example of Merlot Embargo's ability to create upbeat and fun music while also tackling important issues. The song's lighthearted sound perfectly complements the serious message behind the lyrics. Merlot Embargo has delivered a fantastic indie pop track that is sure to get stuck in your head.
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