Culch.ie

New Irish Music: Valentine Black

I told you we had a medley of fresh new Irish stuff, didn’t I? Have a sprinkle of this.

Kildare’s Valentine Black released debut album Desire Lines on Valentine’s Day, because like our John, he loves it when a plan comes together. With a more than a dash of Springsteen in these songs about love, loss, and post-Tiger Ireland, Valentine Black is probably a lasher in a live setting. I say probably because I’m not able to head out and see him for myself, because I’ve got no money, I’m not content, my mortgage is a fallacy and I’m just paying rent. Yes, I’m paraphrasing.

While Desire Lines is occasionally overwrought, sometimes veering into mawkishness, Valentine Black is also capable of moments of genuine brilliance. In The Dead Of The Night is an eerily catchy murder ballad, with disturbing lyrics belted out with cocky cool, and it’s the standout track on the album.

Desire Lines is available from all the usual suspects – iTunes, Amazon – but it’ll cost you but a fiver from Bandcamp. I think you’re legally obliged to buy it if you’re also from Kildare.