Merriment is an Americana folk duo hailing from Texas, a fact easily inferred from the sound on their debut record, Sway. A deep affection for country music guides the record, from its acoustic timbre to vocalist Christie DuPree's dulcet voice. The production work is flawlessly neat; each instrument (vocals included) is given space to ring out honestly and naturally. It all adds to creating the holistic image the band are surely cultivating for themselves. It's not life-changing music by any means, but this is a lush, pleasant and occasionally gorgeous debut.
