MERWULF "In The Golden Age" offers a stripped-down, blown-out sound that holds grief and humor in equal measure

MERWULF will release their sophomore full-length album, In the Golden Age, on May 15th, 2026. The album follows their debut On a Night Walk and finds the Portland-based trio refining a sound that is louder, rawer, and more immediate.

Written over the year and a half following their first record, In the Golden Age reflects a period shaped by personal loss, political unease, and the tension of continuing daily life while the ground feels unsteady. The band self-produced the album in their own space, giving the songs the time and freedom they needed to take shape. That process ultimately pulled Merwulf toward a stripped-down, blown-out sound influenced by the local punk community that offered support, shared stages, and helped the band grow into their confidence.

Across the album, heavy themes sit alongside humor and irony. “The Mountain Lion” explores grief and the pull of disappearance. “Snowflake” confronts the unease of living an ordinary life amid ongoing violence and political fear. “Strike Gold” champions a loved one who is rebuilding her life after heartbreak. Lighter tracks provide balance and release; “NT2BC” pokes at imposter syndrome, and “Francois” playfully teases an American character fascinated with all things French.

Listeners often describe Merwulf’s sound through different lenses, from echoes of 1970s New York post-punk to contemporary minimalist punk. Overseas radio has at times framed the band within a Riot Grrrl context. Rather than settling into any single category, In the Golden Age exists in the overlap, sharp-edged but self-aware.

In the Golden Age captures Merwulf at a moment of transition. It is a focused, emotionally direct record that holds grief and humor in equal measure and reflects a band growing into its clearest form yet.

1. NT2BC

2. The Mountain Lion

3. Gulf Of America

4. Snowflake

5. Tech Bros

6. Francois

7. Larry Likes To Fight

8. Genetic

9. Strike Gold

10. Want The Laugh

See MERWULF live:

05/22 Portland OR @ The Kenton Club w/ The Shitfits + Tim McBride & The Divide

05/23 Olympia WA @ Ilk Lodge w/ Time McBride & The Divide

05/24 Seattle WA @ The Kraken Lounge w/ Denim Denim + Golem Pink

06/05 Portland OR @ High Water Mark w/ Rad Max + G.A.B. + Strangers

06/07 Portland OR @ No Fun Bar w/ Burner Phone + Bone Haus + Buttstuff

“Known for their balance of tension and dark humor, the band abandons all irony here for a devastatingly raw emotional outpouring.”— Iggy Magazine

““Snowflake” is a track that experiments with war drums and the sound of bombs falling out of the sky. Merwulf take the classic post-punk format and hits it from every angle until it’s misshapen and impossible to recognise.”— Alt77.com

MERWULF(rhymes with werewolf) is a minimalist post-punk and indie trio from Portland, Oregon, known for a sharp, rhythmic sound that feels both raw and deliberate. Listeners often describe the band as having a “very 70s New York” sensibility, while others draw comparisons to contemporary acts like Gustaf and Sweeping Promises. International radio outlets have also framed Merwulf within a Riot Grrrl lineage, a reflection of the band’s directness and force rather than a strict stylistic lane.

The band formed in late 2022 when songwriter Merri Garcia moved away from piano and synths and began writing on bass. At the time, she was balancing life as a mother and educator while navigating a world that felt increasingly unstable. Political tension, the long tail of the pandemic, and a constant background anxiety found their way into songs that are concise, restless, and emotionally present.

Joined by longtime friends and collaborators Misty and Larry R., Merwulf took shape as a trio focused on restraint and intention. With no electric guitar in the lineup, the band relies on heavily distorted bass, vintage-style keys, and forceful drumming to create a sound that is stripped down but surprisingly wide. Fans have described the result as “Halloween in summertime,” playful and uneasy at the same time.

Merwulf released their debut EP All Zen +2 in August 2023. Their first full-length album, On a Night Walk, followed on digital and cassette before receiving a vinyl release from Olympia, Washington label Moodkiller Records in February 2025. Their sophomore album, In the Golden Age, is scheduled for release in May 2026 and pushes further into a raw, focused sound shaped by lived experience and growing confidence.