One of Ireland’s most exciting artists Elaine Mai today announces that her much-anticipated debut album will be called ‘Home’ and will be released on Friday 8th October.
What’s more, on Friday 10th September she releases her new single ‘Go Slow (feat. Sinéad White)’, just a day before what promises to be her triumphant return to live music at Fall Right Into Place in Galway (11th September) and a week before the sold-out-in-two-minutes Mother Summer Block Party at Collins Barracks in Dublin (18th September). The single is the third to be taken from the acclaimed producer’s debut album, following the phenomenal success of January’s ‘No Forever (feat. MayKay)’ and June’s ‘Still Feel (feat. Ailbhe Reddy)’, and sees her continue to collaborate with some of Ireland’s top women vocalists.
‘Go Slow’ is a hopeful, nostalgic and comforting track that further weaves the theme of ‘Home’ that has given her debut album its title. Sinéad White’s chorus hook – ‘When you go, you go slow’ – grabs the listener and pulls them in, in a vulnerable, yet powerful way. Elaine Mai says: “I loved this tune so much already, but when Sinéad added her vocal it became an instant favourite of mine. Sinéad is such an incredible artist, vocalist, and friend. We’ve played countless shows together at this stage and it’s always such a pleasure to work and spend time with her. I think you can hear the hope and excitement throughout her vocals on the track. That feeling of exhilaration at the beginning of something new.”
Sinéad White is a singer-songwriter from Kildare, Ireland. She released her debut album in 2015 and went on to support acts such as Jess Glynne, Everlast from House of Pain and Television. Like Elaine, she is a long time collaborator of Irish electronic music producer, Daithí. She has also collaborated with L.A based rapper, Bishop Lamont. Sinéad White says: “Elaine and I have known each other for a long time. We are both collaborators of the electronic music producer Daithí, so our friendship has grown over the years. When Elaine asked if I would be interested in collaborating on a song for her album, I was really honoured. Just because you are friends with someone doesn’t mean that you are automatically going to work with them. Her care and consideration as a friend translated into a deliberate and conscious handling of each element of her songs. Nothing is there ‘’just because’; everything has been carefully considered.”
Elaine Mai has long been synonymous with some of Ireland’s most exciting artists and musical moments. Her remix of Pillow Queens’ ‘Gay Girls’ was critically acclaimed, as was her remix of Loah’s song, ‘Nothing’. In 2017, The Irish Times wrote in their Electric Picnic report, “one of the tunes of the festival has to be Elaine Mai’s remix of Wicked Game.” Although collaboration remains a key component of Elaine’s music her upcoming debut certainly sees her stepping into the spotlight. Considered collaborations are perfectly matched with club tunes that will make listeners feel like they’re watching the sun go down behind the main stage at Sonar or Tomorrowland with tens of thousands of people. As we get closer to discovering what her debut album might sound like, Elaine says: “I’m really excited to release my album soon and for people to hear it in full. It’s been such a huge part of my life and it feels very satisfying to be at this point. These tracks mean a huge amount to me and I can’t wait to get back on stage (for the first time since 2019!) and play them live.”
