Today, Wednesday 1st September, Maria Kelly has released the fourth and final single from her upcoming debut album – the title track, ‘the sum of the in-between’, on VETA Records.
Maria says, “’the sum of the in-between’ is a long list, laying out every messy, chaotic, complicated thing about me. It’s about giving myself permission to look directly at this current version of myself without criticising everything I find.
For me, that’s what this album is about – permission. Permission to face myself, permission to feel it all, permission to get the help I deserve – no matter how uncomfortable or painful that might be.
Who I was, who I’ll be, I’m ‘the sum of the in-between’; I guess I’m saying that the current me matters more than this rose-tinted version from my past, or this ideal version that I long to be. So, maybe it’s just time I gave her a break.”
The Irish alt-folk star announced recently that her debut album, ‘The Sum of the In-between’, will be available worldwide, on vinyl and on digital platforms, from Friday 15th October 2021 on VETA Music.
On Friday 12th November 2021, Maria will celebrate the release of ‘The Sum of the In-between’ with a headline show at The Workman’s Club, Dublin, presented by Singular Artists. Tickets are €15 incl. booking fee available from ticketmaster.ie.
Since the release of the album’s first single ‘Martha’ earlier this year, excitement has been building about ‘The Sum of the In-between’. Two further singles, ‘eight hours’ and ‘good enough’ elevated the Westport-born, Dublin-based singer’s forthcoming debut album to ‘potential album of the year’ heights.
As we move towards the release of ‘The Sum of the In-between’, a theme that emerges is one of acceptance and finding the strength to meet yourself where you are, wherever you are. Maria’s singles ‘good enough’, ‘eight hours’ and ‘Martha’ are deeply introspective and honest songs about her own mental health journey and the rest of the songs on this album, including this new single, continue that exploration.
Even before Maria had an album in the works, she was garnering praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit (“…Kelly effortly balances the melodic whimsy of her folky vocal with the weight of her sparse, thoughtful songwriting”), Consequence of Sound (“…silky smooth vocals that spin widely relatable tales”), Wonderland (“From every angle, Kelly’s art is an immersive experience”) and Nialler9 (“poignant folk music at its very best”).
Alternative music bible Notion said, “Maria Kelly’s so-soft-they-could-melt vocals stay true to the West Irish alt-folk artist’s delicate and tender style”; Nameless Faceless commented that “Kelly’s voice possesses an intimacy and emotional intelligence that could break your heart”; and Hot Press writing that Maria’s most recent single, ‘good enough’, “sees Kelly continuing the open, courageous lyrical style that has earned her fans the world over.”
