Through four intricately crafted love letters to their hometown, the Cork-based group Cliffords captures a specific time and place with remarkable maturity. Their second EP stands as a successful sequel to last year's already impressive 'Strawberry Scented', which showcased their flawless fusion of narrative and emotion. This combination is apparent right from the impactful opening of 'Bittersweet' to the gradual crescendo brought forth in the heart-wrenching 'Dungarvan Bay', where the theme of death's influence on the very essence of a location feels even more bittersweet than its predecessor. Each letter is imbued with profound sorrow, especially in 'My Favourite Monster', which illustrates the thin divide between love and animosity. This theme seamlessly flows throughout 'Salt Of The Lee', ultimately reflecting vocalist Iona Lynch's deep-rooted connection to the city. As 'R&H Hall' echoes, this remarkable storytelling is accompanied by massive melodies that resonate with a sense of community and heritage, deeply embedded in contemporary tradition. To simply label Cliffords as an emerging talent undermines the immense strength and limitless potential demonstrated here: this is something much greater than mere hype.
The sound of him genuinely starting to spread his wings as a solo artist.
Singer/songwriter Miist presents a poignant essay discussing the worldwide loneliness epidemic, the touching story that motivated her to create “Could You Lend Me a Smile,” and her goal to foster human connection through music, empathy, and 15 seconds of deliberate kindness, as part of Atwood Magazine’s Mental Health Awareness Month series!
An impressive experience right from the beginning.
Interestingly, there is a feeling that this initial four-track release is just a warm-up.
Heavenly and spirit-filled.
Much more than mere excitement.