MRCY's ‘Wandering Attention’ Comes In Bold

MRCY don’t waste time. ‘Wandering Attention’ comes in bold, full of swagger and depth. Barney Lister and Kojo Degraft-Johnson have a sound that’s not afraid to be loud, proud, and pointed, and this latest release hits like a warning shot ahead of VOLUME 2.

The track marries gospel soul and classic funk with something sharper around the edges. Kojo’s voice - weathered, strong, emotional - sits right on top of Barney’s restless, analogue-leaning production. It’s soulful but charged, with lyrics that look back at their hometowns without rose-tinting anything. “They don’t wholly define us,” they say. It’s the kind of message that hits differently when the music behind it feels this alive.

The video, directed by Béni Masiala, adds to the tension: live performance, no distractions. The focus stays on energy and delivery, two things MRCY have in spades. You can hear why they’re building a reputation as a live act worth chasing. Their last two headline London shows sold out. Their third, at Islington Assembly Hall, lines up the night before VOLUME 2 drops.

If VOLUME 1 was about introducing the duo, VOLUME 2 is about expanding the frame. It’s more direct, more layered, more confident. Lister’s production background speaks volumes. He’s worked with Obongjayar, Joy Crookes, Olivia Dean, and Rina Sawayama. He knows how to build sound with purpose. Kojo, raised on South London gospel and soul, brings power that doesn't just fill the room, it pins you to the wall.

What MRCY do well is balance. They’re nostalgic but modern, polished but still raw, self-aware but not cynical. The chemistry is real, and it shows. With shout-outs from Elton John and Guy Garvey, a Rolling Stone Rising Star nod, and a festival run that included Green Man and Pitchfork Paris, they’re not short on hype. But ‘Wandering Attention’ backs it up. It’s smart, tough, and completely their own.

MRCY are stepping out with their full voice now. No hesitation. Just clarity, soul, and guts.