PROMOTING recently released third album Look Me in the Eye — a promising mix of layered psychedlic-lite, prog-infused, hard-rocking tunes topped off with hypnotic harmonies — New Zealand’s  Mermaidens take to the stage dressed in red and initially embark on a tour through the trio’s back catalogue.

They begin with Undergrowth from their debut album. A slow, initially trippy soft-guitar track with echoes of Warpaint that gradually builds, hardens and then truly rocks out, it’s a good start.

It’s followed by I Might Disappear, which both showcases the new album and how their style has developed.

There is more echo to the guitar and the sound is deeper and more fulsome but it is singer-guitarist Gussie Larkin who captivates the room as her vocals soar above the music.

Ably supported by Lily West on bass and vocals and drummer Abe Hollingsworth, over the 10-track set the band build a hypnotic, enthralling sound as they navigate wild prog-like waters with a good twist of rock.

Mixing tempo and volume changes, there are standard indie influences but Mermaidens surf their own wave of layers and textures and playful, esoteric lyrics.

Highlights include She’s Running, which gets the room swaying, while Priorities takes the sound down and dirtier while final number Cold Skin revisits Warpaint-like melodies and harmonies.

It’s an accomplished if short set, with Larkin the dominating force and her siren-like vocals meld with the music to act like a Lorelei, attracting and enthralling the audience and taking them on a trippy tour of the musical rocks that’s sweet yet somewhat sinister.

It’s a sound that could easily fill stadiums and they’re one to watch out for should they return to these shores.