Baltimore’s beloved rock outfit Have Mercy is back with their latest single, "I Can’t Buy You Flowers," set for release via Rude Records. Following the success of their 2022 album NUMB and the emotional impact of their 2024 single Irrational Fears, the band continues to evolve while maintaining the raw honesty and gripping sound that have made them fan favorites.
"I Can’t Buy You Flowers" showcases Have Mercy’s signature blend of introspective lyrics and soaring instrumentals, tapping into themes of love, loss, and personal reckoning. With frontman Brian Swindle’s unmistakable vocals at the helm, the song delivers a heartfelt and deeply resonant experience for both longtime listeners and newcomers alike.
Speaking about the new track, Swindle shares: "“I Can’t Buy You Flowers” is a song that should invoke a feeling of nostalgia and youth. It’s about those first feelings of independence when you’re a kid and falling in and out of love for the first time. We recorded a few singles in mid-2024 and knew they stood on their own more than they felt apart of an album. We’re really excited about the sound of this song specifically. It’s a perfect sonic transition into the album we’re currently working on."
About Have Mercy
Emerging from their hiatus in 2020, Baltimore's alt-rock sensation, Have Mercy, are back and better than ever. Their comeback album, NUMB, marked a pivotal moment in their career. This album celebrates perseverance, sobriety, newfound love, and the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, solidifying their place in the alt-rock pantheon.
After reevaluating their priorities, the band, consisting of Brian Swindle, Andrew Johnson, and Nick Woolford, began reconnecting as neighbors and friends. “There’s a bond between us that’s undeniable,” Brian Swindle says. “I think that’s something you can’t ever tear down at the core of it.” That connection has been evident throughout their journey, which began in Baltimore basements in 2012.
Over the years, they've released four full-length albums and five EP/split records. Their debut album, The Earth Pushed Back, garnered acclaim in 2013, leading to a deal with Hopeless Records. They produced memorable albums like A Place Of Their Own in 2014 and Make The Best Of It in 2017, working with producers Paul Leavitt and Brian McTernan. The Love Life was released in 2019, months ahead of their break. Their most recent offering, Self-Titled EP, was released in August 2022.
“I feel like the way that I explained it to most people is that the EP was kind of like a test run to see if we could do this because for years and years and years, we were like we want to do our own record. We want to do it all ourselves and stuff.” Andrew Johnson explains. And they were vindicated in their decision with their reformation hailed by titles such as Brooklyn Vegan, New Noise, Flood Magazine, The Alternative, and more.
As they embark on this revitalized chapter, NUMB finds Have Mercy rediscovering their passion with newfound wisdom. Free from self-imposed and industry expectations, they've created a heartfelt, honest, and liberated body of work.
Have Mercy regard NUMB as the best music the band has written. The self-produced record was mostly written and recorded in Brian Swindle’s basement and allowed them to recapture the origins of the band