Simple Mercies by STAHV

In 2017, Seattle-based artist STAHV (Solomon Arye Rosenschein) emerged as a shape-shifting one-person instrumental act. KEXP described STAHV as combining "elements of heavy psych-rock, doom metal, post-rock, noise-rock, and more." That sound continues to evolve with Simple Mercies, a collection of vocal-driven goth rock bangers drawing on Rosenschein's love of '80s aesthetics, synth-pop, and new wave.

Simple Mercies finds STAHV at its most urgent—with guitar and baritone vocal hooks galore plus a new rhythmic thrust. Channeling the gritty melodrama of Fields of the Nephilim, reverb-soaked churn of M83, and epic scope of Echo and the Bunnymen, songs like "Cold Case" and "Snake Key" twist and turn, combining focused arrangements with lush soundscapes.

As the world recalibrated over the past two years, Rosenschein initially sat out live shows, crafting a series of eclectic releases like Esh, Cold Plunge, and Electric Youth, a full-album cover of Electric by the Cult. When STAHV returned to performance in 2022, it was to support TUNIC, Vision Video, ACTORS, TRAITRS, and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel.

Employing vocals for the first time live gave the set a jolt of inspiration, convincing Rosenschein it was time to release originals in this vein. "Seeing audiences react to STAHV with singing told me it was time to switch course," Rosenschein says. "I was ready to stop pulling punches and draw on all aspects of what I've done throughout my life in music—from pop to metal and more esoteric fare."

Not that the artist is new to singing or songcraft. Throughout his career, Rosenschein has written, recorded, and released music in styles ranging from power pop to Americana. As a solo artist, he made the Grammy shortlist twice and toured the US, UK, and Canada, supporting names like Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) and Silversun Pickups.

His songs appeared in shows and films like Veronica Mars, Shameless, and As Cool as I Am. As a collaborator, Rosenschein co-wrote songs with new wave icon Josie Cotton, grunge innovator Jennifer Finch (L7), and Latin Grammy-winner Gaby Moreno with whom he won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for Song of the Year.

Simple Mercies makes good use of these pop chops but serves an entirely different goal. "The emotional core of these songs is unlike anything else I've ever done," Rosenschein explains. "They deal with mortality, isolation, and other existential issues. It's music that needs the human voice to connect."

Tracklist

1.	Cold Case	3:30

2.	P vs. P	2:57

3.	Love 4 Nothing	3:16

4.	Snake Key	3:24

5.	My Riddle Finger	2:48

6.	Too Far To See	3:07

Credits

released February 3, 2023

Songs, sounds, cover image by Solomon Arye Rosenschein
Copyright 2022
Profile photo by Adrienne Pierce

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