Have Mercy are back with a new single, “I Can’t Buy You Flowers,” set for release via Rude Records. The Baltimore-based band, known for their emotionally charged alt-rock, continue to build on the momentum of their 2022 album Numb and their 2024 single Irrational Fears.
With this latest release, Have Mercy dig into themes of youthful independence, fleeting love, and the nostalgia that lingers long after.
Frontman Brian Swindle describes the track as a reflection on formative years: “I Can’t Buy You Flowers is a song that should invoke a feeling of nostalgia and youth. It’s about those first feelings of independence when you’re a kid and falling in and out of love for the first time. We recorded a few singles in mid-2024 and knew they stood on their own more than they felt part of an album. We’re really excited about the sound of this song specifically. It’s a perfect sonic transition into the album we’re currently working on.”
The single stays true to Have Mercy’s signature style—melodic and introspective, with Swindle’s unmistakable vocals cutting through soaring instrumentals. While the song stands alone, it also offers a glimpse into the direction of their next full-length album.
Have Mercy’s return to music has been anything but predictable.
After announcing a hiatus in 2020, the band made an unexpected but welcomed comeback with Numb, an album that reflected on perseverance, sobriety, and a shift in personal priorities. The album was a self-produced effort, recorded primarily in Swindle’s basement, stripping away external pressures and bringing the band back to their core.
Emerging in 2012 from Baltimore’s DIY scene, Have Mercy built a reputation through relentless touring and emotionally raw songwriting. Their debut album The Earth Pushed Back (2013) caught early attention, leading to a deal with Hopeless Records and the release of A Place of Our Own (2014) and Make The Best of It (2017). By the time The Love Life (2019) arrived, the strain of the industry had set in, leading to their temporary disbandment.
Reconnecting in 2022, Swindle, guitarist Andrew Johnson, and bassist Nick Woolford picked up where they left off, fueled by a new perspective. Numb was a testament to that shift, and now “I Can’t Buy You Flowers” signals the next step.
“I feel like the way that I explained it to most people is that the EP was kind of like a test run to see if we could do this because for years and years and years, we were like we want to do our own record. We want to do it all ourselves and stuff.” Johnson shared in a past interview, highlighting their decision to take full creative control.
Have Mercy have always thrived on honest, deeply personal songwriting.
With Numb, they proved they could return on their own terms. “I Can’t Buy You Flowers” continues that trajectory, bridging their past and future without compromising what made them stand out in the first place.
Have Mercy Is: Brian Swindle (vocals, guitar), Andrew Johnson (guitar), Nick Woolford (bass).
