Irish Goodbye – Ian McFarland (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Taking the phrase Irish Goodbye to a more heartfelt and heightened place, rather than the usual sense of slipping out of a party without saying good night, this new single from Ian McFarland is a scintillating piece of indie-rock.

Here, he blends the weight of the traditional rock sound with the more creative ends of the indie spectrum, ebbing and flowing between the two realms, between rock and a heart place. But it is the second balancing act that gives the piece its unique sonic qualities. The fact that there is something of Bowie at work here, just in the swathes of anthemic guitar and the staccato piano, which in turn is covered with a gloss and sheen that was absent from that era’s production, is a brilliant fine line to walk. 

So, you have a song that tips its hat to rock traditions yet strides into the gloriously bright future of where things go next. It is not only a great song in its own right but one that is one small but integral part of the musical process of moving music forward.