Ears Wide Open: Mercies

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mercies

Connecticut-bred trio Mercies moved to L.A. a year and a half ago — “the great unknown,” they suggest in the song “White Fir” — to build on the creative sparks founding members Josh Rheault and Sammy Dent discovered in making their debut album, 2011’s “Three Thousand Days,” in a old tobacco barn. Joined by Jordan Flower, Mercies recorded the follow-up album “Blue Against Green” (out last week via Randm Records) with producer Mike Butler at Lost Ark Studio in San Diego, but the trio’s indie-rock retains an organic feel, suggesting a less wistful Local Natives, or Fleet Foxes and Shins absent the sheen. The twinkling album opener “Every Echo” is emblematic, shifting deftly from urgent to pleading and back, but the highlight might be “Atwater,” a slice-of-life sung over galloping drums. Welcome to the neighborhood.

||| Stream: “Every Echo” or check out the whole album here

||| Live: Mercies celebrate the album release with a show tonight at the Satellite, supported by AMFMS and Western Scene.