Los Angeles – It’s been almost four years since Active Child’s debut record, You Are All I See. Pat Grossi, the man with the searing vocals is behind this moniker as he presents his sophomore album, Mercy. This towering and monumental endeavor features slick production, gorgeous vocals, and deep lyricism. Grossi recorded his second effort in Brooklyn with producer Van Rivers (Blonde Redhead, Fever Ray). Mercy paints a cerulean landscape with moody arrangements with the aid of pianos and harps. Grossi, a multi-instrumentalist, is able to evoke such strong emotions with crystal clear clarity in vocal delivery, storytelling, and sonic palette. Electronics sometimes overshadow the raw exquisite beauty of Grossi’s falsetto, but they are never a complete distraction. In fact, the electronic structure is quite powerful in its own right. However, what draws the listener further in is when Active Child pushes his balladry beyond expectations. He’s a damn fine performer when his songs are subtle, but still audacious. The most fragile songs coincidentally feel like the sturdiest ones. Much of this record feels groundbreaking, treading new waters in the realm of R&B and electronic artfulness. At thirty-five and a half minutes in duration, the time spent here may be short-lived, but the magnitude of it all is immensely satisfying.
“1999” stunningly opens up Mercy. It’s a breathtaking piece that boldly conjures up an assortment of emotions. “These Arms” is painstakingly haunting as it effectively touches upon one’s sensibilities. It induces a meditative state and, in the final minute, breaks away into an icy crescendo. The gentle ambiance is chill-worthy alongside Grossi’s delicate but effective vocals. The lilt of “Never Far Away” is notable in that it blends low tempo beats and noises to create a world of peacefulness. The lyrics are rather direct about boundless love, but even the simplest declarations of love still provide grand sentiments for the listener. “Darling” is a strong ballad. It may appear dour at on the surface, however, as it strikes through your inner core one realizes the substance of the song is astounding. It still exemplifies a conception of love and the blossoming of the track from start to finish is impressive. “Midnight Swim” is purely instrumental serving as the halfway point of Mercy. It feels like a classically constructed piece of work that is quite restrained and thought-provoking, even sans words.
“Stranger” opens the second half of the record. Grossi gets more experimental here, as this song feels a bit sped up compared to the first half of the record. Active Child blends more house music style here, but the essence doesn’t suffer. The second group of songs shines with intricate vocals, intimacy, and emotional depth. In comparison to the first half of the record, however, it falls just short in matching its superlative counterpart. The finale, “Too Late,” is carefully conveyed. It’s a slow burn, but you can get a firm grasp of Active Child’s distinctive style and elegance. Grossi displays his balladry and there’s a hint of How To Dress Well meets Sam Smith buried within. However, Grossi easily individualizes himself as a completely unique artist with Mercy. It’s truly an endeavor worth embracing, as it will touch one’s heart, open up one’s mind, and seamlessly enter one’s soul.
Check out Active Child ’s Facebook for info on his tour dates.
Photo of Active Child by Dan-Busta
Sean Kayden
Latest posts by Sean Kayden (see all)
- Gang of Youths Put On An Epic Performance In Los Angeles - June 22, 2017
- Cigarettes After Sex Show Off Strong Debut LP - June 12, 2017
- Beach Fossils Comeback With ‘Somersault’ - May 24, 2017
