Recommendations of the Editorial team
Advance sales for tickets to the MRCY concert at the Berlin club Quasimodo have already begun. You will hear a unique mix of groovy Afro beats, jazz soul elements and psychedelic sounds.
ROLLING STONE is giving away 1×2 tickets. It’s the perfect opportunity to see the soul & R&B duo live on their headlining tour (there’s another at ROLLING STONE Beach!). You can also win the new album “Volume 2” on vinyl.
“Volume 2” by MRCY: Emotional and direct
MRCY – consisting of producer Barney Lister and singer Kojo Degraft-Johnson – is going on a European tour this fall. In addition to two shows in Berlin, they also play in Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris.
Her second record was released on May 30, 2025 under the simple title “Volume 2”, which contains eight lyrically and musically strong, emotional tracks. While their debut album, “Volume 1,” primarily highlighted Kojo’s vocals and Barney’s production skills, “Volume 2” focuses on deeper issues of today, as well as self-discovery and healing.
In their song “Man” they question society’s often patriarchal image of masculinity: “Tell me, what kind of man am I?” Speaking about the song’s background, Barney explains: “Change is a collective effort, and we must come together to redefine what it means to be a man.”
Often compared to Marvin Gaye, their sound remains characterized by its own unique demands. They combine elements of R&B, jazz and soul with alternative influences from dub, trance and afrobeat.
Growing up with the local sound system culture in Yorkshire, Barney later produced for Olivia Dean and Rina Sawayama. Kojo’s musical background is primarily in gospel and church music. He also made a name for himself in the London jam scene and has already sung for Little Simz, Cleo Sol and Jungle.
The two met in 2021 after Barney became aware of him through a video of a live performance by Kojo and invited him to his studio in Brixton.
Getting started right from the start
Following the release of their first album, MRCY were nominated as a Rising Star at the Rolling Stone UK Awards. This was followed by being named one of DIY Magazine’s “DIY’s Class of 2025”. MRCY also supported the US soul group Black Pumas on their tour in 2024. The duo was also featured in the line-up at festivals such as All Points East and Pitchfork Paris. Tickets for all concerts on her current tour are available via her website.
This is how you can participate
If you would like to take part, send an email to [email protected] with your name, address and telephone number. Please include the keyword “MRCY” in the subject line. The deadline for participation is November 20, 2025. Legal recourse is excluded. Good luck!

