EP Review: Mercy

Mercy is the debut EP for Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie and it sets the standard high with the first track Vulture, Vulture! starting with an epic guitar solo  introducing the drums at 1:18 to make an already catchy beat before Courtnay’s husky voice has you listening in awe. Vulture, Vulture! Is full of hearty guitar and lives up to their self-proclaimed ‘’swamp blues’ sound as an amalgamation of country, rock, and blues forms this sexy but dark tune. The song makes me think of country westerns and I can’t help but think it would be perfect for a crime drama set in a small town’s soundtrack for any harrowing scenes.

Released earlier this year as a single, Lost At Sea is such a smooth, free flowing song that makes you want to bop your head and sway from side to side as you embrace the dulcet tones of Courtnay and the harmonious guitars. One of my favourite songs on the EP, I would describe it as a comfy rock song that can be put on repeat for the good vibes.

In a press release Courtnay said ‘Through my songs, I hope to spark emotions, ignite memories, and offer a refuge for those seeking solace in the symphony of life’ and this is definitely demonstrated in what is the stand out song of the Mercy EP for me, The Great Wave (1949). As someone who lost their mum in 2022 I emphasise with Courtnay as she sings about losing her dad with some of the most chilling and beautiful lyrics I have ever heard. The sentence ‘those we love don’t go away’ is repeated near the end of the song and it is then that I realise that I have found a new favourite song to listen to when I want to embrace grief and its emotions. Don’t worry though, whilst The Great Wave (1949) is a sad song, it is one that can be listened to over and over with ease.

Leave Out The Rest launches straight into lyrics and continues with a fast paced, hard hitting rock song that really highlights the drums and the true grit of Courtnay’s voice, including a powerful scream.

The different styles in songs, huge instrumentals, and range of Courtnay’s vocals in each track make Mercy a truly impressive, quirky listen that I can’t get enough of, and it is definitely one of my top releases of 2024.