Muscle Shoals, Alabama native and dynamic vocalist Rachel Purcell has released her six-song Centricity Music EP Mercy & Me, available globally, featuring tracks like "Show Up," "New Name," and the upbeat "Have Church." Produced by industry names including Jeff Pardo, Andy Skib, Colby Wedgeworth, and Chuck Butler, the project reflects Purcell's personal journey of faith, with themes of salvation woven throughout each song. Highlighting her testimony, Purcell describes the EP as a reflection on the miracle of salvation, culminating in the title track's portrayal of her encounter with Christ.
Known for her powerful vocals and honest storytelling, Purcell-formerly Rachel Wammack-has earned recognition from outlets like Billboard and Rolling Stone, and has shared stages with artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Rascal Flatts, and Reba McEntire.
Q: Your EP Mercy & Me reflects a powerful journey of faith, grace, and redemption. When you look back at writing and recording these songs, what experiences or moments with God most shaped the heart behind the project?
The Mercy & Me EP is the beginning of sharing my experience understanding God and my relationship with Him. When I started writing this project, the first song was "New Name," which was the first of many moments that have shaped this project. I really felt tied to who I was before coming to believe in Christ in college, and it's taken me almost 10 years to get where I am now in the wrestle of finding and understanding my identity in Christ-and I'll always be finding more in that regard as I keep walking with the Lord.
Then "New Name" fell out of my heart two years ago as a declaration of what I know to be true even on the harder days when shame and memories of my past start to creep up again and try to steal my joy. I am a new creation in Christ, a born-again believer, and "New Name" is my personal reminder of that.
Q: The songs on Mercy & Me explore themes of salvation and transformation. Was there one track on the EP that felt especially personal or emotional for you to write and record?
"Mercy & Me" was the most emotional to record and the scariest to release. It is based on the scripture Ephesians 2:4-8. Ephesians 2 has greatly ministered to me in understanding God's mercy. For this song, God initially gave me the phrase, "Nothing stands between Your mercy and me," and it sparked the reminder of the weightiness of my sins-current and past.
Once I started writing about my sins and the things that I thought would be too much for God, it was so honest it almost felt more like a diary entry of my life. It was interesting to me because I realized that since I had been walking with God for several years at that point, the greatness of His mercy had worn off in certain ways. But when I looked at what God had done for me in the lyrics, I was overwhelmed again with gratitude.
The song was emotional for me to record with Chuck Butler, and we had talks that day about the greatness of God's mercy and how He has covered ALL our sin-past, present, and future.
Q: You worked with producers like Jeff Pardo, Andy Skib, Colby Wedgeworth, and Chuck Butler on this project. How did collaborating with such a diverse group of producers influence the sound and creative direction of the EP?
I am so thankful for the group of producer/writers on this project. Andy Skib, who I loved writing with in the country genre, put his magic touch on "New Name" and "Mysterious Ways." I initially met Pardo through writing in the country genre, and it has been fantastic to reconnect in the Christian genre. Pardo is such a legend, and he has been a great friend to me over the years.
Colby Wedgeworth and Chuck Butler are both amazing collaborators with a unique vision and the ability to steer a session and make a space feel safe to open up.
Q: Songs like "Have Church," "Show Up," and "New Name" each carry a joyful message but with different musical styles. How did you approach creating an EP that balances celebration, worship, and honest reflection?
The songs on my Mercy & Me EP were my first swing at releasing music in the Christian genre, and I'm so thankful that God brought them all to life. For me, it feels like each song has a different sonic flavor that represents what I love about music.
I really felt that though the songs had different musical styles, the lyrics had the overall themes of honesty and the joy of salvation. I feel like this EP ushered in a new sound that I am working on now. As I finished this project, I stumbled on a sound that feels like a combination of the styles, plus a little more Motown.
Q: Your new song "Do More" is beginning to connect with listeners. What inspired that track, and how does it relate to the themes you explored on Mercy & Me?
I am so happy that "Do More" is finally out in the world. It is a song that reminds me to believe that God has more in store for me than I could ever imagine. It feels like a new theme for me to touch on that is closing the chapter of the Mercy & Me EP and anticipating what the next thing is that God has in store.
It's an anthem of looking back on the past, seeing the ways that God has shown up for me before, and also trusting and hoping that God is holding my bright future.
Q: As you look ahead, what can fans expect next from you musically? Are there more songs or perhaps another project already taking shape?
The Mercy & Me EP heavily influenced the new direction of the project I am working on now. This new project has even more honesty and joy. The lyrical themes include my struggle with trust, learning to relax into God's love for me, and the fact that God is the one I belong to.
The sound of this new project feels like a new direction that is influenced by Motown artists like Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, and pop artists like Olivia Dean and RAYE. I'm ready to bring those influences into the CCM genre and allow artists like me to worship God in new sonic lanes and be able to share Christ with even more listeners.
For all the latest Rachel Purcell music, tour and more news, go to www.rachelpurcellmusic.com.
