It follows the group's slight departure from their metalcore roots and towards a more alternative and experimental sound, as established on their previous release, Node.

[7] This website contained a landing page which showed timelapsed videos of members of Northlane in a recording studio, however no additional information was given.

gave the album 7 out of 10, saying: "In essence, Northlane have produced a well rounded effort with Mesmer, and have kept things fresh for an audience that is offered a plethora of metalcore bands that often sound far too similar.

In a few too many parts, Northlane themselves succumb to echoing bands and records before them, but the lyrical content is real, gritty, and genuine, and, paired with their musical innovation, they prove that they're ones to keep building with each release.

"[15] Distorted Sound scored the album 8 out of 10 and stated: "Overall, Mesmer is a strong follow-up to 2015's Node, building on its theme and tone, with high-points being provided by Marcus Bridge's soaring vocals and the groovy, technical basslines of Alex Milovic.

"[13] Dan Southall of Loud magazine claimed about the album: "Mesmer can at times be repetitive, but it also sounds like a band that is growing away from their roots towards hereto unexplored musical territory for them.

"[19] Jaymz Clements, in a four-star review for Rolling Stone, said: "On Mesmer Northlane offer a graphic meta-personal narrative couched in relentless machine-precise heaviness.

[...] Few bands combine razor-sharp proficiency with spine-shaking heaviness and a generalised, amorphous disaffection the way Northlane do, infusing darkness, despair and (eventual) hope into an exultant musical catharsis.

"[21] All tracks are written by Marcus Bridge, Jon Deiley, Josh Smith, Alex Milovic and Nic Pettersen, except where noted[22]Credits adapted from album sleeve.