Merce stepped back in 2020 following the release of Moonth, pausing to reflect during a time of uncertainty and lockdowns—when even the once-reliable joy of making and sharing music felt fragile. “I was grappling with what kind of relationship I wanted with music in my life. It was just something I’d always done, and I didn't want to lose the magic of that – but I was just having less fun.” In this time of restless non-direction, she turned her gaze inwardly, down to the roots – figuratively and literally.