Michael S. Baker explores the idea of someone slipping away in his debut single and video as Hasten Mercy, “These Things.”
Baker has a long history of finding evocative sonic elements to convey emotions for his tracks, often using his skills with his visionary rock band Head Fake. “These Things” showcases a variety of soundscapes and textures, with Baker bringing his main characters to life with a plaintive lead vocal that is at once descriptive and sympathetic.
Baker is preparing to release a three-track, self-titled EP, testifying to his stylistic flexibility as a songwriter and performer. The brief but concise project packs in muted synthpop, intimate folk-rock, energetic new wave, some rougher and louder sounds, all handled with precision.
“These Things” acts as an expression of the longing, desire, ambivalence, and regret that accompanies the end of a relationship, or even the loneliness that encapsulates a relationship that never was. Baker also directed the video for “These Things,” helping to extend and refine the song’s themes.
Watch the video for “These Things” here:
For more from Hasten Mercy, find him on Head Fake’s official website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Hasten Mercy
