If you are a fan of the modern pop theme that over emphasizes vocals and includes all sorts of harmonies while being mastered to perfection and you also like soulful love songs, this album is for you. Featuring the flamboyantly smooth voice of Pat Grossi, Mercy makes the listener feel comfortable. It’s a peaceful album that wants to make an emotional connection. This album doesn’t discriminate or try to find a niche. Active Child uses everything at his disposal to create the feeling he wants and he prevails.
The first half of the album is an acoustic/electronic, pseudo-pop soul album that goes perfectly with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket. The second half of the album takes more to the electronic side of Active Child. It experiments with sound using vocal pitching and synthesizer elements. With this change in musical style comes a change in the overall aura. Though the great vocal harmonies are still present the lyrics become more serious, as if the relationship built in the first half of the album has become complicated.
Overall, Mercy is an album to sit next to James Blake, Bonobo, and that Maribou State album I reviewed two weeks ago. Though it has much more variation in genre, it gives off the same consistent soulful feeling.
Recommended If You Like: James Blake, Bonobo, Maribou State
Recommended Tracks: 2 (These Arms), 10 (Too Late), 1 (1999), 5 (Mercy)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Shane Blair on 07/07/2015