Maryland-based alternative rock band, Have Mercy, released their sixth studio album, the loneliest place i’ve ever been. Delving into thematic material such as grief, addiction recovery, and regret, Have Mercy takes some of life’s greatest challenges and transforms them into a story of growth, introspection, and healing. Pairing raw vocals, confessional lyricism, and heavy instrumentals, the band has created a sound that is both heartbreaking and healing simultaneously-a bittersweet catharsis.
“only, if only” opens the album with striking drum rhythms reminiscent of a military-style snare drum. Rock guitar, a blend of honest vocals, and supporting harmonies sweep in and transport the listener to the nostalgic era of early 2000s alt and emo rock. Gut-wrenching lyrics like, “You’re crawling back to me / Knowing that nothing makes us happy / I wish I wasn’t lonely / Only if, only” convey the devastation that only heartache can deliver.
Characterized by vulnerable lyricism, heart-breaking honesty, and devastatingly relatable content, “august 17” is the standout track on this album. Opening with a wave of sound, transitioning into a build up, and featuring front man Brian Swindle’s gentle vocals cresting over the instrumentals, it sets the tone of the piece. After the death of a band member, Have Mercy lays their grief bare for the world to see. Anyone who has experienced loss will immediately relate to the raw emotion portrayed by the band. “I should have picked up the phone / I should have made some plans to see you / Now it's all too late / And the talks were great / I’ll miss you.” Regret, missed opportunities, ‘what if’s’ and the introspection that follows paint this track to be a crushing yet cathartic piece.
“Say I love you every single chance I can / Cause you made me who I am” – “august 17”
Lyrically, “little pieces” is representative of a breakup-whether that be a relationship, friendship, or fight against addiction. Transparent guitar arpeggios and drummer Steve Wootteon’s rock groove set the tone for the piece. Confessional lyricism dredges up emotions that can only be brought on by breaking away from the past. “This is who I was before you met me / You f*cked me up / You broke me down / Into the little pieces that I just found / Trying to put me back together again” As the piece builds, layers of texture overlap and create a sweeping composition that begs the listener to scream-sing along in the car.
This is a powerful anthem for anyone who may be struggling with self-loathing, a break up, a falling out, addiction recovery, learning from mistakes, or trying to collect the pieces of their life and tap into their resilience.
Opening with a gorgeous ostinato in the lead guitar and phasing into smooth chords and arpeggios, “in my veins” is a sweet salve after the bittersweet release experienced by listeners. This piece feels like yearning, love, and admiration for your person. A driving, subdivided rhythm in the hi-hat, paired with the recurring ostinato, propels this piece forward. Lyrics like, “With you I don't think I’ll ever feel alone / Cause I want you in my veins / Promise you’ll never, you’ll never change” evoke a sense of security and assurance.
Distortion and reverb on the melodic line in “old selfish me” create space for introspection. This piece feels exposed and stripped back, allowing the lyrics to take center stage: “I wish you could see me now / How things turned out / I’m the person I always thought I could be.” Gentle vocals, lyrical yearning, and years of growth and self-reflection build into a moment of self-actualization. Two minutes in, the track opens up with distorted guitar chords, alt rock percussion rhythms, gritty vocals, and supporting vocal harmonies. It slowly fades out, offering listeners a moment of pause and relief.
Released in late July, “tv glows” was one of only two teased tracks, adding to the anticipation of this album release. Iconic drumstick clicks prep the listener for the wall of alt rock sound that follows. Lush guitar chords with distortion, organ-like effects on the keys, and an awesome melodic solo in the guitar create a foundation for the crushing lyrics. “I heard you learned to love again / I haven’t / Make it a point to call if you want to talk / If you’re missing me or anything at all.” Stripped back to toms, guitar, and softened vocals mid-track, the piece takes on a vulnerable moment of reflection. It opens up again as the raw vocals soar over the full sound of the drum kit and driving guitar.
Make sure to wear quality headphones when listening to “this could be gold.” The delayed chords float from ear to ear, accompanied by rim shots and kick drum, creating an immersive experience within the track. As the song opens up into a full blown alt rock track, a synth melody reminiscent of 80s rock emerges through the texture. The piece continues to dance between swelling and waning, leading to an iconic build up where drummer Steve Wootteon gets to flex a bit.
“Am I making it up / Am I stuck in my head / What’s new” – “faking a crush”
Opening with Swindle’s soft upper register, “faking a crush” invites listeners into his internal dialogue. This track feels more exposed than others, creating a sense of introspection. The piece builds layer by layer, engineering a slow build as each instrument is introduced and begins to elaborate on their initial melodic lines. A moment of transparency features distorted spoken words overlapping one another, creating the sensation of overthinking. The lyric, “I am on my own” is repeated over the feature, adding to the feeling of being wrapped up in one's thoughts.
Beautiful chords and a lovely melodic line from the piano create an immediate sense of openness and vulnerability in the penultimate track, “what happy is.” Hauntingly relatable lyrics such as, “I’m looking for comfort / I’m looking for change / I'm looking for anyone who could feel the same” draw in the listener, resonating with anyone who’s experienced this kind of longing. Moments of growth appear through distorted guitar and drum swells, while the piano shines consistently, pounding away during the build up. This piece provides a bittersweet release as the album transitions into its last track.
“I take things for granted / I take ‘em too far / I guess I’ll never know who you really are / And I’ll never know what happy is”
“medicine” opens with classic alt rock vibes and confessional lyricism. Echoed vocals, slick bass from Nick Woolford, and driving instrumentals make this an instant standout on this album. The breakdown features impressive percussion rhythms and gritty vocals as Swindle sings, “I wanna be better / I wanna be best / For you / For me / For everyone I meet.” Instrumental impacts, sustained guitar, and a slow fade cathartically close out the loneliest place i’ve ever been.
Catch Have Mercy on tour with Boys Night Out this fall.
