Suris, the creative partnership of Lindsey and David Mackie, arrives with “Pertinax,” a timeless and daringly original album. The duo crafts a world where atmospheric art rock meets soulful introspection, pairing Lindsey’s textured, emotive vocals with intricate arrangements that shimmer with subtle rebellion. Lindsey (piano/keys, songwriter) and Dave (guitars/bass, producer) form the heartbeat of Suris. Their chemistry, refined through marriage and music, gives ‘Pertinax’ its emotional depth and fearless experimentation. The production is warm and immersive, weaving acoustic and electric tones with cinematic grace. Every track feels like a confession whispered through velvet and steel. Let’s do a track-by-track reflection.
Opening with gentle piano lines and Lindsey’s soulful, textured vocals, ‘Mended’ sets a reflective tone right away. It’s a song of acceptance and restoration, inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold. Lindsey’s delivery is tender but quietly defiant, embodying the beauty in imperfection. David’s delicate guitar textures and subtle production choices give the song a crystalline purity, allowing every emotional crack to shimmer.
There’s something beautifully nostalgic about ‘Last Train Home.’ The track feels like a dusky ride through memory, with softly glowing instrumentation that recalls the warmth of candlelight through a train window. Lindsey’s phrasing is magnetic, and each word is carried by genuine affection and introspection. The guitar and bass interplay here is beautiful, providing a steady pulse that mirrors the rhythm of travel and the comfort of love’s guiding light.
The third song, ‘Now,’ captures mindfulness in musical form. This piece is a reminder to stay grounded in the present. Lindsey’s vocals hover gracefully over lush keys and dreamlike atmospherics, while the layered harmonies evoke a serene calm. There’s an ethereal Radiohead-esque air here, which is grounded by a soulful intimacy unique to Suris.
A more assertive turn, ‘Eruption’ channels frustration and conviction through cinematic rock textures. David’s production shines here. His guitar tones are sharp with a dynamic arrangement that conveys protest and power. Lindsey’s delivery has fire, balancing controlled anger with poetic grace. It’s a song that demands attention and invites action. It’s a stirring artistic statement about political and moral responsibility.
A feminist anthem disguised as an intimate ballad, ‘Whole’ stands out as one of the album’s most powerful emotional moments. Lindsey’s voice soars with defiance and solidarity, especially as the chorus expands with the collective voices of women. It’s goosebump-inducing, both musically and spiritually.
In ‘Take all she brings,’ Suris turns inward again with a simpler, more organic arrangement. The song’s honesty and warmth radiate through Lindsey’s voice, full of tenderness and humanity. Dave’s understated accompaniment complements her perfectly, letting the lyrics breathe and resonate.
One of the most haunting and ambitious tracks on Pertinax, ‘Huma’ tells the story of a mythical bird’s escape from confinement. The track unfolds like a short film, progressing without repetition until the cathartic saxophone solo by Felix Flower takes flight. The production here is a marvel—dense, moody, and liberating all at once.
A meditation on the human tendency to view life through a lens rather than live it, ‘Still Life’ feels modern and timeless. Lindsey’s introspective lyrics are beautifully mirrored by Dave’s minimal yet poignant instrumentation. There’s a bittersweet serenity in her delivery, like an artist reflecting on a masterpiece they can’t quite touch.
With a wistful and melancholic tone, ‘Wayman’ tells the tale of a love too late to rekindle. The guitar lines feel weathered, almost conversational, while Lindsey’s performance aches with authenticity. It’s a story told with grace rather than bitterness—a quiet acceptance of love lost to time.
Drawing inspiration from Ephesians 6:10-17, ‘Armour of Love’ radiates spiritual warmth and strength. Lindsey’s vocals convey faith as a shield and a comfort, wrapped in a lush soundscape that blends sacred calm with pop sophistication. It’s deeply moving without ever preaching, just pure devotion rendered in song.
With its inviting tone and rhythmic pulse, ‘Listen’ is a reminder to be present and attentive. It’s a companion piece to ‘Now,’ but with more urgency. The subtle layering of harmonies and percussive textures enhances the theme of connection, reinforcing the duo’s gift for marrying message and mood.
There’s a dreamy ache at the core of ‘Born to be with you.’ Lindsey’s voice carries longing like a distant echo, and Dave’s instrumentation paints a backdrop that’s equal parts sorrowful and romantic. The restraint in arrangement and delivery is breathtaking; less is indeed more here.
The perfect closer. ‘Fugue’ takes us through the restless night and into dawn, symbolizing hope’s gentle return. It’s a gradual build, both emotional and sonic—that feels like exhaling after holding your breath for the entire album. The final moments linger beautifully, a whisper that fades but never disappears.
Lindsey Mackie’s vocals are the album’s glowing centerpiece. They are rich, expressive, and multi-dimensional. She doesn’t just sing lyrics; she embodies them. Each song feels lived-in, her phrasing deliberate yet organic. David’s production perfectly complements her artistry, is subtle where needed, and expansive when emotion demands it. Their synergy, both musical and marital, is palpable throughout Pertinax, creating an intimate yet cinematic sound, polished yet profoundly human.
The instrumentation, largely performed by the pair themselves, showcases remarkable versatility. There’s a painter’s touch to every mix decision; textures blend like watercolor, with space left intentionally for listeners to dream inside the songs.
Overall, ‘Pertinax’ is a triumph of emotional depth and artistic persistence. It’s a rare fusion of intellect, spirit, and heart. Suris have crafted a record that resists easy categorization but rewards patient listening with layer upon layer of meaning. Every note feels intentional, every lyric purposeful. As Lindsey sings of brokenness, resilience, and transcendence, and Dave frames her voice with light and shadow, you realize: this isn’t just an album. It’s a portrait of love, art, and endurance—a testament to two artists who persist, stoically and beautifully.
Listen to the “Pertinax” album on Spotify
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