ALBUM REVIEW: NUMB – Have Mercy

Emo-rock outfit HAVE MERCY have returned with their latest full-length album NUMB. The band themselves consider this album to be their best music to have been released so far, marking their comeback following a mini break in 2019 that saw them return with a self-titled EP last year. While having moments that leave a lasting impression, some songs unfortunately don’t have the impact that they might have hoped for.

Things start out promisingly with opener Alive that has an anthemic rock opening complete with a catchy guitar rhythm, but for some reason it feels a bit weak, more in that the production doesn’t do it the justice that the band are aiming for. It’s a shame as it has everything else that should make it an incredible song; the band sound great, and we also have vocals that sound like a cross between Josh Franceschi and Dan Campbell, which is definitely a good thing.

Other moments that fall short are those where you can tell that the band wanted to portray a positive message, yet it comes across as more cheesy and rather juvenile, a prime example being Hey, or where things just feel a little basic, like they could have done more yet played it safe.

But at its best, NUMB can be incredible. There are some stunning examples of emo tracks such as the title track that feels moody as it is nostalgic that then swells into something anthemic, as well as Big Surprise that features a plucky acoustic guitar that helps to set the scene as something emotional as the track tells a bittersweet story of love and hardship. Of course, the band do explore other areas of the genre in songs like Middle, which is a bouncy rock track; Friday, which is best described as a soft alternative rock song; and Floating, which is arguably the standout track of the album with an intro that draws comparison to A DAY TO REMEMBER’s Have Faith In Me and a conclusion that features a solid guitar breakdown.

Ultimately, NUMB is a bit of a mixed bag as some tracks, while trying to be anthemic, fall a little flat, but when HAVE MERCY get to the songs that get it right, you are in for an incredible listening experience.

Rating: 7/10

NUMB is out now via Rude Records.

Like HAVE MERCY on Facebook.