In dark and difficult times, the music of Barney Listerand Kojo Degraft-Johnson lifts us up. As Mrcy, the productionand vocal duo are confronting the many crises of modern lifewith a fresh sound full of punchy instrumentation, envelopingorchestration and lyrical honesty.

On their latest project,VOLUME 2, Barney and Kojo deliver emotive music that surprisesas much as it comforts, referencing timeless sounds as much asa sense of the cutting edge. Channeling soulful vocal melodyalongside afrobeat polyrhythms, jazz soloing and driving,distorted grooves, tracks like "Man" address the challenges ofmodern masculinity, while standout number "Fear" drives amessage that encourages us to fight the terror we might feelabout the state of the world with optimism.

Following theacclaimed release of their 2024 debut project VOLUME 1, whichsaw the duo nominated as Rising Stars at the Rolling StoneAwards and named as one of DIY's Class of 2025, Mrcy returnswith vital music that addresses the complexities of being alivetoday. "We're trying to extinguish fear with optimism and worrywith love," Barney says. "VOLUME 2 breaks the mould to presenta bigger picture of who we are - something with angst, surprisesand more guts. The main feeling of the project is that the worldis fucked but let's dance through it."