Album Review: NUMB by Have Mercy
Baltimore, Maryland’s alt-rock band Have Mercy has made an impactful re-introduction with their latest album NUMB. Released on December 8th via Rude Records, NUMB is Have Mercy’s first full-length album since their 2020 hiatus. NUMB is a journey of the life that the trio lived in the time they took off. With ten songs and a run time of just under thirty-seven minutes, members Brian Swindle (vocals, guitar), Andrew Johnson (guitar), and Nick Woolford (bass) reacquaint themselves with listeners by delivering a meaningful and honest body of work.
Opening the album is the track “Alive” which was also the lead single for NUMB. Starting this new album cycle with a song that is so honest and open about struggling with a toxic relationship sets the tone for the album lyrically. Musically, “Alive” offers a groovy dynamic range of up tempo drums and whimsical guitar parts that pairs well with the story portrayed in the lyrics.
Track two is “Numb,” a gut punching song that shares the same namesake as the album title. Having lyrics like “And when the words just get in the way / How do you want ‘em?” give listeners an insight on the grieving of the draining relationships that were described in “Alive.” “Numb” has listeners swaying to the vibrant guitar parts as they try to process the emotional journey the song guides them through.
The third song “Hey” pairs driving drums and humming guitars with explosive lyrics of taking the time to reflect on self-love as a consequence of having an important relationship end. Following in that honest-reflective message of NUMB, “Friday” reminiscences on Swindle’s past with tender lyrics of “And I have some messed up memories / Forgot just what it’s like to dream / I miss the salt in the air / I miss the cigarette drags too.” “Friday” pairs its lyrics with shredding guitars on the outro, providing a progression from the held out whimsical nature of the beginning of the song.
Track five “Big Surprise'' is a slower piano driven song paired with acoustic guitar. In “Big Surprise,” Swindle’s lyrical content allows for a “laying all your cards out” moment, letting listeners to deeply connect to a plea of wanting to be loved entirely by the person they care for.
The sixth song “Middle” brings back the energy with clapping parts, harmonizing vocals, and a driving bass line. Following “Middle” is “I Can’t Stay,” taking a more somber approach to a discussion of not knowing whether to pursue this force that keeps re-entering your life. With held out, distorted guitar and hard hitting drums, “I Can’t Stay” takes the time to recognize that your wants don’t always match your needs.
With fast paced stacked vocal lines in “Sick of It,” Have Mercy details the recovery of one’s self after ending a relationship with melodic piano parts and atmospheric guitar parts. “Hit the Ground” has thumping bass and questioning vocals that builds to an explosive ending where the drums pick up alongside belting background vocals.
Wrapping up NUMB is “Floating,” a song that provides an optimistic outlook onto ending a relationship that keeps coming back to haunt Swindle throughout the album. With lyrics like “But don’t give me hope for things you don’t see in the future / Just let me go, I won’t remember your name” showing that there is a point beyond this entity that has consumed too much time.
With NUMB, Have Mercy has delivered an album that reminds listeners of what had them tuning in with previous bodies of work–honest, emotional lyrics and interesting music that pairs to make an album that strikes a chord within listeners.
NUMB is available on all streaming services now and can be found here. If you want to help support Have Mercy, their merchandise can be found here and tickets to upcoming shows can be found here!
Follow Have Mercy:
