Natalie Mering, known artistically as Weyes Blood, has embarked on a deeply personal and creatively intensive path leading up to her highly anticipated new album. This period has been marked by significant life changes and an extended artistic incubation, making this her longest project to date. From unexpected isolation in Big Sur to the emotional upheaval of losing her home in a California wildfire, Mering's experiences have profoundly shaped her creative process, pushing her to find inspiration in displacement and reconnection with her artistic origins.
The genesis of this new musical chapter began in March 2025, during a Virgo lunar eclipse, when Mering found herself secluded in Big Sur, California. A fallen tree cut off power and blocked roads, leaving her without cell service. This mystical isolation, shared with her rescued Pomeranian, Luigi, provided an unexpected retreat for building fires and focusing on her craft. This unplanned hiatus from her usual recording schedule, following her 2023 tour, allowed her to immerse herself in a "real-person life" beyond constant touring and singing.
Later in 2024, Mering spent a month in the Spanish fishing village of Lastres, writing songs and visiting friends. However, upon her return to Los Angeles in January 2025, she faced the devastating loss of her home in the Eaton Fire. This event forced her into a period of "exile," an experience she paradoxically describes as both topsy-turvy and enriching, as it allowed her to explore diverse environments and perspectives.
Following the fire, Mering moved to New York, a city she had called home over a decade prior. She recorded extensively at the historic Electric Lady Studios, particularly in Studio B, a space she likens to a submarine, close to an underwater river. Mering felt a timeless energy there, spending up to seven hours at a stretch without daylight, simply experimenting and creating. This return to the East Coast spirit rekindled her initial passion for music-making.
This album marks Mering's debut as an executive producer, collaborating with longtime associate Jonathan Rado and other musicians like Nick Movshon and Benny Bock. While the album's title remains under wraps, she hints that it deeply reflects her current life stage and the evolving identity of womanhood. Eventually, Mering decided against a permanent move to New York, feeling a strong pull back to California, her "true home." She returned to Los Angeles, finding new recording inspiration in Malibu's coastal and desert landscapes.
As of late March, the album is approximately 90% complete. During this intense creative phase, Mering has abstained from social media, relying on podcasts for news. Her recent collaboration on Oneohtrix Point Never's soundtrack for "Marty Supreme" gained unexpected attention when actor Timothée Chalamet mentioned her (with a slight mispronunciation) in an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow, who was unfamiliar with her work. Mering found this moment a surprising testament to how widely her artistic signals can travel.
Weyes Blood continues her nomadic existence, drawing inspiration from new places and experiences. She acknowledges the profound grief stemming from global events but finds renewed purpose in reconnecting with her artistic origins, allowing her personal evolution to fuel her creative output.