Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

We are all in search of A New Alchemy, that moment in which we can see the great work being moulded into place through transmutation, through the power of fertile philosophy that will change the way people think and act with a sense of the divine and the human soul working in tandem. We are all in search of the resulting groove, but few are willing to see the process from the start, to dig deep into the soil, to be authentic and never once resort to the crooked charms of sleight of hand mysticism that comes with the modern-day wand and the potions of the sly.

It is in the tradition that we find the substance to which transformation is possible, the complexity of arrangement and chemistry between people that serve up the fascinating and new, and to husband-and-wife duo Eleese and Matthew Merchery which bears the name of Brand New Heartache, that honouring of tradition, of the belief of change between ritual and custom hangs sweetly in the air as their sharp sound of authentic Americana and the melding of pop- trembling cool is realised in their album A New Alchemy. 

With invaluable assistance from James DePrato on guitar and bass, and Jeben Bruni on keys, the sound raised, like temptation at a banquet offered to the starved and famished of choice, the pairing of Eleese and Matthew is to be relished and found exhilarating, delicious to the ear, beguiling to the musical palette.

Across tracks such as Montreal, Precious Days, Company We Keep, Raise The Shade, and Younger Us, A Brand New Heartache captures a memory and insists that it just doesn’t breathe, but that it becomes immortal, that its heart, its soul, refuses to be anything but enlightened.

It is in the vision offered by the husband-and-wife team, their associated players, and the harmony of backing singers and the rich tapestry of woven tales, that the album finds its future laid out for it, that the music is not just enriched by its tradition but which will echo with satisfaction as the pair build upon this dramatic resolve.

A sublime piece of work, appealing and enthralling, A New Alchemy is emotional and fiercely insightful.

Ian D. Hall