For Dutch singer-songwriter Mercy John, Americana is no foreign concept. Balancing subdued coffeehouse with hearty folk-familiar chord progressions, Mercy John (MJ) is a heartland folk rock force waiting to be discovered.

Fresh off the 2019 LP Let It Go Easy, MJ is back with his latest release: the re-recording of the 2017 LP title track, “This Ain’t New York”. Dampening the backing tracks and leaning on folkloric vocals, MJ strums an acoustic guitar with grieving realism. Add in the occasional harmonica support, and the “This Ain’t New York – Solo version” is a chilling representation of the power of MJ’s impassioned storytelling through song.

In the spirit of the “This Ain’t New York” remake, Mercy John’s next official release with be the Cruel Love EP, which will be released as a 10” vinyl. Like the latest single, Cruel Love will feature a handful of MJ’s previously-released songs only re-recorded as solo acoustic numbers, showcasing the singer-songwriter’s poetic lyricism and calming tone.

Currently on the Let It Go Easy LP tour throughout the Netherlands, Mercy John has been praised across Europe for their impassioned voices and their knack for emotion-driven songwriting. Backed by the band comprised of Rolf Verbaant on guitar and vocals, Kirsten Boersma on keys and vocals, Tom Zwaans on bass, and Lynyrd Denissen on drums, the Mercy John ensemble is greater than the sum of its parts, and a shining light on the Americana scene across the pond and beyond.

Until the Cruel Love release in September, stream the “This Ain’t New York” solo version and the rest of Mercy John’s discography at the links below.

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