With Pertinax, Suris — the husband-and-wife duo Lindsey and David Mackie — deliver a record that feels both intimate and cinematic. Every track carries a quiet confidence, wrapped in poetic lyricism and rich instrumentation that evokes the golden age of art rock while sounding wholly original. It’s an album that rewards close listening, full of moments that shimmer and haunt long after they fade.
The opener, “Mended,” sets the tone beautifully. Inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, it transforms fragility into strength, with Lindsey’s vocals gliding over warm piano and subtle guitar textures. “Last Train Home” follows with reflective grace — a song about returning to love and clarity, built around a hypnotic rhythm and glowing harmonies. “Now” captures a rare stillness, a moment of presence rendered in delicate keys and hushed emotion. Then comes “Eruption,” a fiery protest anthem aimed at power’s corruption — its restrained fury gives way to one of the album’s most striking climaxes. “Whole” is an anthem of resilience, bolstered by a chorus of female voices that lend it depth and solidarity. “Take All She Brings” and “Wayman” explore the complexities of love and loss, each blending soulful storytelling with classic songwriting craft.
“Huma” is a standout — an otherworldly flight of liberation with Felix Flower’s saxophone soaring through the mix like a cry of freedom. “Still Life” pulls listeners back to Earth with a reminder to live beyond the lens, while “Armour of Love” offers spiritual grounding in faith. The closing tracks, “Listen,” “Born to Be with You,” and “Fugue,” bring reflection and redemption — from empathy to sleepless introspection to the first light of hope. Pertinax is aptly titled — steadfast, artful, and unflinching. It’s a record that doesn’t just persist; it endures.
Website, Facebook, x, Spotify, SoundCloud, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok
