Mercy Rising
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
Previously a longtime Los Angeles resident, Maia Sharp now calls Nashville home, where the foundation for this 7th solo album was fleshed out in Joshua Grange’s studio. Sharp then brought the tracks to her home studio and took help from Mindy Smith, Peter Groenwald, Cyd Greenwood and many others to fine tune the forthright and heartfelt songs.
The title track starts the listen with warm atmosphere as soft acoustic guitar is met with Sharp’s expressive vocals in a very eloquent climate, and “You’ll Know Who Knows You” follows with a soulful swagger where breezy melodies populate the poetic mood.
The middle tracks are among the best, and includes “When The World Doesn’t End”, where contributions from PJ Pacifico shine on an Americana influenced display of sublime beauty, while “Whatever We Are” is an emotive and timeless blend of folk and country ideas. “Not Your Friend” then gets more firm musically and lyrically as pop moments enter the highly textured climate.
Towards the end, “Missions” recruits a more bare approach that’s full of subtle power alongside vivid storytelling, and “Always Good To See You” exits the listen with graceful piano accompanying Maia’s comforting pipes in an emotionally stirring finish.
An artist who has enjoyed a well received solo career while also penning songs for legends like Bonnie Raitt, Lisa Loeb and Cher, to name a few, Mercy Rising is both intimate and adventurous in its profoundly personal nature that often points to the ‘70s while leaving an indelible mark.
Travels well with: Jonatha Brooke- The Sweetwater Sessions; Patty Griffin- American Kid