The Emerald Isle is experiencing a vibrant new wave of music, adding to its already rich tapestry of sound. Ireland has always punched above its weight when it comes to musical exports, but there’s no denying something special is happening right now. Look no further than the recent string of phenomenal records from Fontaines D.C., the electrifying indie-punk of Sprints, the dark urgency of The Murder Capital, and the innovative soundscapes of Just Mustard. This is a movement that’s hard to pin down to one genre, but it undeniably pulsates with a raw energy and a distinctly Irish spirit.
Back in 2017, Dublin dynamos Pillow Queens were the wide-eyed openers for the ferocious Pussy Riot. Seven years on, and they’re headlining major venues and dropping their third studio album, the aptly titled Name Your Sorrow.
Retreating to the serene countryside of rural Ireland, the quartet embarked on a voyage of self-discovery and sonic exploration, trading instruments and embracing vulnerability. The outcome is a melodic tapestry that traverses the peaks and valleys of love, loss, and the human experience.
Name Your Sorrow isn’t about wallowing in misery, though. Sure, the raw emotion is cranked to eleven, but Pillow Queens avoid the clichés of angsty anthems. Their lyrics are laced with a dry wit and a sharp intellect that sets them apart from their contemporaries.
Think of them as the literary descendants of Elvis Costello, whispering tales of woe with a wry smile or a more melodic Fiona Apple, baring their souls without resorting to histrionics. The press release boasts “no masks, no obliqueness,” and they deliver. This is a record that lays it all bare, referencing Eavan Boland’s poem “Atlantis” as a metaphor for the act of naming and confronting grief.
If that sounds like a record that might leave you feeling a bit bruised, well, you’re not wrong. A veil of melancholy drapes over Name Your Sorrow. It’s a record that burrows deep, stirring up a complex tapestry of emotions, even if it leaves you feeling a touch raw. This raw vulnerability in Pillow Queens’ songwriting is their greatest strength, their ability to evoke such profound feelings in the listener.
Pillow Queens usher us into the labyrinthine complexities of life from the opening strains of “February 8th,” a hauntingly beautiful blend of electronic pulses and ethereal vocals. Each track thereafter unfolds like a new discovery, revealing fresh layers of human experience.
But the crown jewel of “Name Your Sorrow” is its raw emotional honesty. Lead vocalist Pamela Connolly delves deep with her lyrics, a scalpel dissecting themes of queer identity, gnawing insecurity, and the searing ache of heartbreak.
Despite the melancholic undercurrent, a flicker of defiance runs through Name Your Sorrow. “I thank my lucky stars you don’t treat me like the rest,” Connolly sings during “Like a Lesson.” Later, on closer, “Notes on Worth,” she admits, “I don’t want to go home alone this weekend. I think I’m worth the time.” The songs often transform into rallying cries, encouraging the wellspring of strength we all hold within. Even in the throes of hardship, the band offer a subtle but potent message of resilience.
Name Your Sorrow unfolds as a cathartic journey, navigating the tangled labyrinth of love’s highs and lows, the sting of loss, and the whispers of self-doubt. It’s an album that demands to be fully experienced, perhaps with a box of tissues and a strong drink by your side (a pint of Guinness feels strangely fitting).
NAME YOUR SORROW IS RELEASED THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Photo Credit – Martyna Bannister
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