Today, MRCY announces their debut project VOLUME 1 due May 10th via Dead Oceans, which comes alongside a new single “R.L.M.” The hotly-tipped duo are playing their first, sold-out headline show at London’s Lower Third on June 11th and have now added an additional date on Nov 14th at Jazz Cafe
“R.L.M” is an instant-MRCY-classic, both the first song the band ever wrote and the mission statement for a group whose work is as timeless as it is culturally relevant.
Fusing Barney’s intricate production with Kojo’s soaring vocals, “R.L.M” is a reminder to find the magic even in the most everyday places (“London rain on the window / I don’t care where we’re gonna go / I’m good with you”).
Speaking on the single, Kojo shares, “‘R.L.M’ is essentially a dream-like love song loosely related to someone I was seeing who I used to ride around within London, and how I was always content doing that with her. With my familiarity with Rye Lane and Barney living in Peckham, it felt right using Rye Lane as the point of interest for the tune. But it’s more about London and just cruising around in a car on a rainy night and that being enough for the both of us.”
Although formidably accomplished for a first project, MRCY have clearly hustled hard to make work in their own voice. Born amidst Huddersfield’s melting-pot culture, Barney has established himself as one of the UK’s most in-demand, eclectic young producers, ranging from an Ivor Novello Award for his long-standing collaboration with Obongjayar to Mercury-nominated artists like Joy Crookes and Olivia Dean. Meanwhile, South London-raised Kojo, earned his stripes in church as well as singing with equally-illustrious homegrown artists like Cleo Sol and Little Simz. They first connected over Instagram during the pandemic, writing “R.L.M” between restrictive local lockdowns in Brixton and realizing that they were embarking on something special. For Barney and Kojo the band is as much about putting yourself first as it is the spirit of compassion, empathy and m(e)rcy that has never felt more needed.
Upcoming Live Dates
5/16 – Brighton, ENG @ The Great Escape
6/11 – London, ENG @ The Lower Third SOLD OUT
8/16 – Brecon, WAL @ Green Man Festival
8/31 – Bristol, ENG @ Forwards Festival
8/29 – 9/1 – Salisbury, ENG @ End of the Road Festival
11/14 – London, ENG @ Jazz Cafe
