The single is a taster from his new album, The Cost of Living, due for release later this year. Eoin supports Grammy Award winning, Blues Hall of Famer, ROBERT CRAY in the National Concert Hall on June 9th.
Snake Oil is an upbeat, rootsy number that wears its strong folk and blues influences on its sleeve. It follows a strong, fresh sound that has emerged over Glackin’s recent releases. A finger-picked banjo hammers out a strong grove, with a sturdy backing of bass and drums.
The biting, contemporary lyrics mixed with iconic, 1950’s style backing vocals take it to its own unique place.
“There has been an understandable drop in public trust in mainstream institutions. People are hurting. It’s left a void that always ends up being filled by grifters and quacks,” said Glackin, about his new song.
“Whether it’s a billionaire pushing a crypto scam, someone pedalling pseudo-scientific medical woo-woo with no accountability, or someone claiming to have supernatural abilities while preying on the vulnerable. It’s very frustrating and I find myself getting maybe too worked up over it sometimes. There’s not much I can do about it, I guess. But this song is my way of addressing that frustration,” the Dubliner said.
Glackin’s long-held interest in social issues eventually led him back to college, where he earned a journalism degree in 2022. He currently writes for a local, independent news outlet in Dublin.
The jump into the world of journalism wasn’t the only new start in Glackin’s world in recent times. He is now a father to two young children, born in 2022 and 2024. Music, however, remains as much a driving force for him as ever.
“It might be taking me a bit longer than I had thought to get this album released. But rather than it being a case of not having the time, it was more that I kept writing new songs that I wanted to put on the record. Maybe it’s something in becoming a father, but I’m aware now that these recordings will outlive me, so I want them to be right,” Glackin said.
Dublin born Eoin Glackin released his debut album, Not Lost, back in the heady days of 2011. The album, released by Sony Music, brimming with biting social commentary and driving guitars was the first step into the life of music that Glackin inhabits today.
The journey he embarked on with Not Lost has been one of non-stop touring, writing, recording and ever-seeking the next idea. In the years since, Glackin has shared stages and toured with legends like Joan Armatrading, Midge Ure, The Darkness, John Spillane, Charlie Parr, Aslan and Robert Cray, among many others.
The new single and album saw Glackin reunite with acclaimed Irish producer and bassist Karl Odlum (Hamsandwich, Mic Christopher, The Frames). The pair worked together on 2018’s Fires of Innocence album.
It also saw another reunion between Glackin and Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers, Aslan, Bears Den), who produced his 2011 debut album and its 2013 follow up, Rain Finally Came.
“My old pal Ian Grimble mixed this new album. Being back with him in the same room in London that I made my first record in, was a trip. I was only a puppy when we first sat down together at a mixing desk. I still don’t know what most of the buttons do,” Glackin said.
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