Brett Young knows how to deliver a sensitive ballad better than any other young male country artist in the genre, and he's at his vulnerable best on his new single, "Mercy."

The fourth single from Young's self-titled debut album is a model of restraint, framed simply over straight, somber piano chords that set the mood for a heartbreak lyric about a guy who's not sure if his love is going to leave or stay.

"So if you're gonna break my heart, just break it / And if you're gonna take your shot, then take it / Take it / If you've made up your mind, then make it / Make this fast / If you ever loved me / Have mercy," he pleads in the chorus.

Young and co-writer Sean McConnell have written the lyrics and melody perfectly, with no wasted words or syllables to get in the way of the song's pure emotion, and the arrangement keeps it simple, too, instead of introducing too many instruments and distracting from Young's achingly perfect vocal performance.

Young was one of Taste of Country's RISERS in 2017, and he enjoyed a breakaway year that shows no signs of slowing down in 2018.

Did You Know? Young's last two singles both reached No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart.

Brett Young's "Mercy" Lyrics:

Mercy / Why you gotta show up lookin' so good just to hurt me / Why you wanna stop this whole damn world from turning / Mercy / Why you hanging on so tight if this ain't working / Why you wanna stop this flame if it's still burning / 'Cause it's still burning

Chorus:

So if you're gonna break my heart, just break it / And if you're gonna take your shot, then take it / Take it / If you've made up your mind, then make it / Make this fast / If you ever loved me / Have mercy

If you go out tonight and get drunk and lonely / Wind up home alone, please don't call me / And say you miss me, no

Repeat Chorus

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