MRCY, the UK soul duo made up of south London singer-songwriter Kojo Degraft-Johnson and Huddersfield-born producer-instrumentalist Barney Lister, are pushing a brand of soul music that combines emotion with honesty. The pair met towards the end of lockdown and quickly formed a tight creative bond, sharing a love of Northern Soul and Motown, as well as current soul and funk artists like Khruangbin and SAULT, to produce a sound that brings together “English culture as a whole – from north to south and everything in between.”
Their debut single, “Lorelei,” dropped in February to critical acclaim for its depth of storytelling about a mythological tale of seductive sirens. “Flowers in Mourning,” which explores a strange mix of joy and sadness that accompanies loss, followed, and now the majestic single “R.L.M.,” which Degraft-Johnson describes as a “dream-like love song” about “someone I was seeing who I used to ride around with in London.” All three tracks are set to appear on “Volume 1,” which will be released on May 10.
The pair discuss their musical partnership, the power of using art to discuss politics and social issues, and their support slot on March’s Black Pumas tour.
Lister, who makes a lot of music that sits in the same world as MRCY, wanted to express his own vision and says he knew he could create something magical with Degraft-Johnson after hearing the singer’s voice. On their upcoming tour, the pair aims to bring together musicians from different parts of the music world.
While not directly talking about what’s going on in the world, MRCY’s music is reflective of it, and Lister would like to explore social and political ideas more overtly in the future. He believes that “the only way to do that is through art and communication.” Berating his desire to make an impact, Degraft-Johnson stresses their material must feel authentic and real while remaining unpretentious.
MRCY’s soulful sound, combined with their honesty and authenticity, creates music that resonates with audiences. With the talented pair’s debut album on the horizon, their unique sound offers something that is passionate and genuine
Read the full article on NME here: Read More