Mercy Kelly are back — leaner, louder, and sharper than ever — with their new single “Out In The Night,” a track that feels less like a return and more like a re-ignition. Now performing as a four-piece, the band proves that subtraction can be a form of refinement.

“Out In The Night” is Mercy Kelly stepping back into their own skin, only this time with the benefit of scars, lessons, and a clear vision of where they’re going.

One of the band’s rare gifts is their ability to write anthems that feel lived-in rather than manufactured. “Out In The Night” is no exception. It’s big without being bloated, romantic without being saccharine, and bold without losing that scrappy charm that first put them on listeners’ radars. They manage to scale things up emotionally while keeping the songwriting grounded where it counts — in grit, honesty, and instinct.

The single also captures a sense of return-to-form momentum you can actually feel. There’s a clarity and conviction here that suggests the reduced lineup hasn’t just tightened the sound, but sharpened the band’s identity. You can hear the chemistry locking into place — the way each instrument seems to leave just enough space for the others, the way the vocals ride the crest of the melody instead of overpowering it. There’s a confidence running through “Out In The Night” that doesn’t shout; it just knows.

And that’s the real story behind this release: Mercy Kelly aren’t trying to claw back to where they were — they’re building forward from a stronger foundation. The song doesn’t read like a comeback; it sounds like a beginning. A fresh chapter. A band with a renewed sense of purpose and the firepower to back it up.

“Out In The Night” is proof that Mercy Kelly can evolve without abandoning their roots, that they can grow tighter without losing intensity, and that they can still deliver the kind of emotionally-charged, fists-in-the-air rock that feels tailor-made for late-night drives and festival fields.

We spoke to Mercy Kelly about their journey so far.

Hello! Do you have any interesting moments or stories from your early life that have had significant impact on your journey into music?

Adam: There have been quite a few, but some stand out more than others. One memory that really sticks with me is being in the back of my dad’s car with U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind playing. Hearing “Beautiful Day” when I was around four or five years old left a big impression , it was one of the first times music felt bigger than just sound.

Jack: Around ten or eleven years old, I got the chance to experience live acoustic music on the fringes of some of the UK’s folk festivals. Hearing classic folk tunes alongside punk and pop covers really inspired me to pick up the guitar and sing.

Are there any artists that were influential to your musical journey? How have they inspired your sound as an artist?

Adam: As a band, the four of us have gathered influences from all over, but we’ve always leaned toward 80s bands like The Cure, Big Country and U2, their chorus-drenched guitar tones and the quality of their songwriting have had a massive impact on us.

Jack: We also grew up listening to more modern bands like The Killers; watching their evolution over their career has definitely shaped aspects of our style and sound.

How would you describe your sound to new listeners? What do you think sets you apart?

Adam: It’s hard to pin down the exact “Mercy Kelly” sound, but if we had to define it, it’s a mix of Cure-like chorus guitars blended with a heavier indie edge. We love experimenting with new sounds, but those shimmering chorus tones are a constant for us and one of the things we feel sets us apart.

Jack: I agree, but there’s also a heavier rock undercurrent in our sound. I like to think you can hear bands like Thin Lizzy in our DNA too.

Adam: In terms of Mercy Kelly’s songwriting, we try to paint a picture and tell a story, something that speaks to us but also hopefully resonates with listeners. Sometimes the best way to express something is to put it into a song, and that’s something our musical influences really nailed.

What’s your creative process? Where do you normally start when it comes to writing and recording? Do the lyrics come first? The music?

Adam: Our creative process varies. Jack and I started out together as an acoustic duo, and one of us would usually begin with a creative spark, a riff, a chord progression or a melody. The song really comes to life when we sit down together as a band and bounce ideas back and forth. The four of us are usually on the same wavelength about where a track should go. Writing acoustically helps us get to the essence of the song before building it up in the studio.

Have you had any challenges or adversities in your life that you feel have shaped you as an artist?

Jack: Real-life events obviously bleed into your wellbeing, and self-doubt and confidence can definitely be challenges but all of that feeds into the creative process. Fighting the loss of faith in something you identify with is tough. But as individuals and as a band, we’ve got a good habit of bouncing back and learning from our mistakes.

Adam: Those real moments of ups and downs, if you use the learning in the right way? Then they can influence your storytelling and help you grow. They have the potential to make you a better human being, musician and artist.

Are there any moments or achievements from your career so far that you’re most proud of?

Jack: Playing Kendal Calling and Tramlines last summer were huge moments for us. Getting the chance to perform at festivals of that scale felt like a dream. Walking the same stages as some of our heroes was something we’ll never forget.

Adam: We also got the chance to support one of our heroes, Ted Sablay from The Killers. We performed an acoustic set, and after the gig we had a drink with Ted and Dave Keuning… surreal!

Which do you prefer, the creative process or live performance? Or do you enjoy both equally?

Adam: I personally prefer live performance, but it really is a close call. There’s nothing quite like playing something you’ve created and seeing a crowd react positively and sing back your words. It really is the full-circle moment.

Jack: I couldn’t pick between them, if I’m honest. They’re two halves of the same coin. There’s something incredible about moulding an idea that started as an acoustic jam in your room and watching it become this big live moment. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, “How did it become this?”

Do you as an artist require fans to fully understand your message in each song or do you encourage subjective interpretation from every listener?

Adam: We just hope that our audience connects with the songs. It’s amazing when someone relates to a line you wrote, but we realise that at that point, the song partly belongs to them.

Jack: We genuinely love when listeners interpret things in their own way. That’s the beauty of music. We write these tunes, and they hopefully go on to have a life of their own. We recently got a message from a German fan who told us that our songs “Maidens” and “Anymore” helped him in his daily life. How wonderful is that?

Does the political landscape have an impact on your music, or do you keep your personal opinions separate from your work as an artist?

Adam: We tend to keep politics separate from our music. We put our emotions and personal experiences into our lyrics, but we don’t really explore political themes.

Jack: Politics has played an important role in many musical movements, but it’s not the direction we take when we write. We just concentrate on creating and performing music, while watching from the sidelines hoping these ancient politicians on our television screens don’t mess up the world for us and future generations.

What are your future plans? Any new songs/projects on the horizon?

Jack: 2025 has been a big year for us, and we’ve welcomed Tom and Connor into the lineup. The next few months are exciting as we see how we grow together as a band.

Adam: We’ve got our upcoming single Out in the Night releasing on November 28th, and we’re really excited about this one. We’re following it with a headline show at Off the Square in Manchester on December 13th. After that, the plan is to fill the 2026 diary with live performances, a few festivals, and a return to Kempston Street to record new material.

“Out in The Night” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to Mercy Kelly and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

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