Shelter Boy – Mercyland

The mind behind Shelter Boy is Simon Graupner; the German dream pop singer, songwriter and guitarist is something of a hidden gem. He has been releasing music since 2018 when his first-ever single, Half Asleep, found its place on streaming platforms. Over the course of six years, beachy and casual indie pop tunes have grown out of Mac Demarco and King Krule inspirations into a sound that is completely unique. This week, the artist releases his second studio album, Mercyland, and it is his most self-aware and cohesive project to date.

In Mercyland, Shelter Boy takes the listener on a winding journey through his past. Parade opens the ten-track record with the same dream surf tones the singer has been perfecting since Half Asleep, and this first song not only sets the tone of the album sonically, but also introduces the themes it explores.

However, as the story continues, Shelter Boy’s optimism fades: while Parade tells listeners not to let the past control them, he refuses to take his own advice. Messed Up Kids reflects on a time when a tumultuous relationship dominated his life. While the verses delve into the specifics, the chorus snaps the listener back with its repetitive simplicity. Moving Backwards sees him abandoning optimism for a touch of resentment. Even as a bright, shimmery guitar underscores each track, Shelter Boy gravitates further from contentment and dives headfirst into bitter introspection.

Your Favourite Song and Growing Pains depict this moody sentiment differently than Moving Backwards, as the singer expresses a desire for distraction and discusses his need for happiness and struggle for stability. These two tracks work in unison to help the singer work through his own thoughts. 

The narrative begins to shift with Jamie T Forever, which, while still focusing on the past, marks a turning point. Instead of viewing the past negatively, Shelter Boy relishes in fond moments. A Ringing Glass and How To: Make it Worse continue this change in tone, transitioning from resentful retrospection to an acknowledgement of how past experiences have shaped him into a stronger individual.

If You follows with a more electronic and textured composition compared to the eight sonically similar songs that precede it. Here, a tambourine shakes, drums are louder, the vocals are longing and the guitar’s reverb, though still springy, adopts a brand new character. Now, instead of uncertainty, Shelter Boy makes promises and exudes pride.

Weird Life, the grand finale, starts with serene outdoor sounds and the beachy guitar returns. Shelter Boy reiterates Mercyland‘s narrative – the past is painful yet unavoidable. However, the way the singer has dealt with it has moulded into a beautiful outcome that illuminates a ray of positivity amidst any lingering malaise. 

Shelter Boy may not yet be a household name, but the indie pop genre has potentially found its newest shining star as Mercyland meets the world. Overall, this record is a great representation of what Shelter Boy is capable of, and listeners should pay close attention to how he will continue to tell his story.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Philip Gladsome

Mercyland is released on 26^th April 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Shelter Boy’s website here.

Watch the video for the single here: