Old Mervs are officially having a moment.
The West Australian surf-rock duo have debuted at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart this week with their self-titled debut album, marking a huge milestone for the rising indie act. The record also hits No. 1 on both the Australian Artist Albums and Vinyl Albums charts, proving just how wide the demand is for the laidback band from the country.
Comprising childhood best mates David House and Henry Carrington-Jones, Old Mervs have spent the past few years carving out their own lane in the local scene. Their previous EP Give It Up peaked at No. 33 last year, but this new album signals a leap into the national spotlight—without compromising the grassroots charm that first got them noticed on triple j Unearthed. Their band name, a nod to their beloved childhood dog Mervin, is just one piece of the band’s no-fuss, all-heart appeal.
The album’s success comes off the back of a strong summer of regional and festival gigs, including appearances on major stages that positioned them as one of the country’s most exciting live acts to watch. With guitar-led hooks, gritty vocals and lyrics about life in the bush, Old Mervs speak to a generation of young Aussies looking for stories they recognise—and older listeners who still crave that classic pub rock punch.
Their chart climb this week also sees them outpace several international heavyweights. Sabrina Carpenter returns to No. 1 with Short N’ Sweet, clocking up her 12th non-consecutive week atop the ARIA Albums Chart. She’s followed by Tate McRae (So Close To What), Billie Eilish (Hit Me Hard and Soft), and a debut from Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco at No. 5 with their collaborative album I Said I Love You First. For Gomez, it marks her first chart entry with her fiancé, while Blanco notches his second ARIA charting album.
Elsewhere, The Cat Empire’s 10th studio album Bird In Paradise enters at No. 18, the band’s first major release since a lineup shake-up in 2021. On the vinyl charts, Old Mervs continue their domination, landing at No. 1 ahead of releases by Lady Gaga, Floodlights and Selena Gomez.
On the Singles Chart, influencer-turned-artist Alex Warren scores his first Australian No. 1 with “Ordinary,” which also tops the ARIA New Music Chart after already going No. 1 in the UK. And thanks to the announcement of his October tour down under, Teddy Swims sees a massive boost across three tracks—“Lose Control”, “The Door, and “Bad Dreams”—with the latter hitting a new peak of No. 27.
Meanwhile, Australian legends continue to show staying power: Cold Chisel’s 50 Years – The Best Of and INXS’ The Very Best remain fixtures on the local albums chart, further highlighting a week where homegrown artists—new and iconic—share the spotlight.
From small-town WA to national recognition, Old Mervs have officially entered their chart era. And if the strength of their debut is anything to go by, they’re just getting started.
