INTERVIEW: Brand new single from Mercy Kelly

Coming out of the North West of the UK, Mercy Kelly have been quietly, now loudly, putting their own stamp on modern British indie rock. Forged between Oldham, Heywood and Burnley, the band folds in all the grit, warmth and romantic melancholy of the region they call home, projecting it outwards in the form of infectious guitar-driven music. Built around the songwriting partnership of frontman Jack Marland and lead guitarist Adam Bridge, Mercy Kelly began as an acoustic project before expanding into a full-band endeavour with Joel Buckley on bass and Leon Hepke on drums, together, staking their claim as one of the UK’s most thrilling acts on the rise.

Since making their debut in 2021 with the single “Anymore,” Mercy Kelly have built a catalogue that’s emotionally charged and musically expansive. Their songs ripple with cinematic ambition, with gothic textures, jangly guitars and profound lyrics all recalling the widescreen scope of U2 or The Killers while retaining a distinctly Northern soul. From local gigs to festival stages, they’ve built up a devoted following through epic live performances and magnetic presence.

This summer marked another high point for the band with the release of “Speak Too Soon,” recorded at Liverpool’s Kempston Street Studios with producer Alex Quinn. The single revealed a group at the height of their songwriting powers with a darkly melodic and defiant outing and its success propelled Mercy Kelly onto the Kendal Calling stage. Last month, their single “Breathe for Her” followed, adding to an already hugely successful chapter in the band’s story.

Now, Mercy Kelly return with their latest release, bringing us their brand new single titled “Out in the Night,” a track that marks both a renewal and a return to their origins; off the back of a string of festival appearances and extensive radio support, the band now re-emerge as a quartet. Delivering a song about youth, escape and uncertainty, “Out in the Night” is driven by swirling guitars, soaring vocals and an intoxicating sense of musical energy.

Set up by the bright plucks of guitar notes, the arrangement lands with Jack’s vocals and the steady pulse of rhythm, swelling with energy as lightly crunching guitar rhythms propel the track forward. Cut with memorable melodic leads, the track rolls into an anthemic chorus where lively hooks and atmospheric synth textures collide above the invigorating percussion. Packed full of moody vibes and intoxicating aesthetic, “Out in the Night” captures Mercy Kelly at truly exciting moment in their musical voyage.

Now refocused as a four-piece outfit, they’re showing no signs of slowing down as they continue to operate at the very highest level. With plans to release their upcoming debut EP next year, they’re set to keep writing their own story with northern grit, heartfelt lyricism and an steadfast belief in the redemptive power of song. Mercy Kelly’s readily apparent songwriting flair and performance panache will no doubt see them continue to shine on their unstoppable sonic adventure.

We caught up with Mercy Kelly to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “Out in the Night” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Mercy Kelly below.

Hey guys, how’s things?

Things are great. The band dynamic feels stronger than ever and we’re really excited about the next chapter in the Mercy Kelly story. We genuinely feel like we’re in a brilliant place right now.

What’s new since we last spoke in August?

Adam: We’ve released two more tracks since Speak To Soon, and we’re absolutely over the moon with how they’ve both been received. There was a lot of promotion focus on Breathe For Her and it really paid off, the response has been overwhelming.

Jack: We also had a lineup change, parting ways amicably with Joel, Jacob and Leon, and bringing in Tom Mullen (bass) and Connor Byrne (drums). They’ve added a whole new life to the Mercy Kelly sound with their musicianship and influences.

Adam: It was really important to find the right people and we feel that’s exactly where we are today, a band of brothers!

What are some of the musical influences that have shaped your sound?

Adam: The Mercy Kelly sound is rooted in those jangly, chorus-heavy guitars from the ’80s , bands like Big Country, The Chameleons, The Cure and U2. But we’re also massively influenced by more modern bands like The Killers and Catfish & The Bottlemen.

Jack: And I like to think you can hear some of the heavier influences too, Thin Lizzy especially. We’ve taken elements from all of them in our writing. There isn’t one specific sound we gravitate toward; we’ve got heavy, soft and ambient moments that all come from those inspirations.

What’s your creative process like when working together?

Adam: Me and Jack usually start the spark of a MK song. I’ll be working on a riff or progression at home, and if it feels like it might grow into something? We’ll then sit down with a couple of acoustics and start working on the lyrics and structure.

Jack: The great thing about co-writing is that whatever one of us is missing, then the other fills in. Writing acoustically helps us get right to the heart of a song.

Adam: Then we take the bare bones into the rehearsal room and that’s where the real Mercy Kelly magic happens.

How does your environment or hometown influence your songwriting and sound?

Adam: We’re all products of our environment, consciously or subconsciously. Our homes in English northern towns definitely seep into our songwriting, the buildings, the characters, the experiences. It all colours the creativity.

Jack: Definitely. Manchester and the surrounding towns have such a rich musical DNA to tap into, not just the obvious big names, but also the many unknown musicians and creatives we’re mixing with on the scene today.

Do you approach songwriting differently now compared to when the band first started?

Adam: Not drastically, but it may change as Tom and Connor bring more ideas. Personally, I still feel the same as when we started, writing from my experiences on a guitar at home.

Jack: I think it’s important that we all still bring our individual ideas, and then shape them into Mercy Kelly songs together. And if someone feels strongly about how their idea should develop, we encourage that.

What was the first song you ever wrote together?

Adam: Our debut single, Anymore. I had this Smiths-style jangly riff and when me and Jack linked up, he wrote the lyrics in just a day, which blew me away. It showed me first hand his ability to develop both melody and lyrics so quickly.

Jack: I’d been writing alone for a while, but this was my first proper collaboration. Adam’s guitar ideas opened the door for my lyrics to flow. It was a real joy.

How does Anymore compare to your newer material like “Out in the Night”?

Adam: There are definite similarities, the arpeggiated guitar and the lyrical tone. Both songs attempt to paint a vivid picture, but I feel Out in the Night carries a bit more hope and energy. They share DNA, but they exist in different emotional spaces.

What message or feeling do you hope listeners take from the new single?

Adam: Hope and energy. Even when things feel tough, there’s always a reason to keep going, nothing is ever fully lost.

Jack: There’s also something beautiful about the night, that sense of mystery and the unknown. And no matter how dark the night gets, the sun always rises in the morning.

What was the most exciting moment while bringing the single to life?

Adam: Layering the lead guitar parts and then hearing them sit perfectly in the mix that Alex Quinn created, it was a big moment for me.

Jack: Recording at Kempston Street with Alex Quinn was really special. Out in the Night was the final track of the four we worked on there, and hearing the finished mix felt like a closing chapter in the Mercy Kelly story. Massive thanks to Joel, Jacob and Leon for their playing and contributions to that session.

How do you hope your music connects with fans, especially new listeners?

Adam: We hope the songs make a positive, lasting impact. A German fan messaged us recently saying Anymore and Maidens were important tunes in his life, that blew us away. Moments like that make everything worthwhile.

Jack: We hope people connect with our songs the way we connected with our own influences. And who knows? maybe it inspires someone else to write their own music one day too.

Are there any upcoming projects or releases to look forward to?

Adam: After Out in the Night, we’ve got an EP coming in early 2026, a collection of old and new MK tracks that we’re really excited to share.

Jack: The EP format lets us include tunes that aren’t necessarily singles. One track in particular is quite different from the released material , it always goes down incredibly well live, and we’re really happy with how the recording turned out. We hope fans will be too.

Listen to Out in the Night below