Waterford based, multi-instrumentalist songwriter Shane Barry released his latest single, ‘Later Than You Think’ last week, 21 August. A standout track from IMRO’s New Music Playlist last Friday, it proved a good opportunity to take a deeper dive into what could well be one of Ireland’s most underrated artists.
‘Later Than You Think’ is Barry’s second single of the year, following the release of ‘Carousels’ in May. Previously of Shane Barry and the Distractions, Barry has been collaborating with a variety of different groups and bands since Covid, sharing an array of singles, a 2023 album Songs from the Silver South, and a 2025 EP, A Thursday Night Live. Some of Barry’s more recent singles have veered towards a more Americana and acoustic folk style, with a notable increase in the use of violin and orchestral sounds.
However, ‘Later Than You Think’ recalls elements from Songs from the Silver South, with more electric guitar and prevalent vocals. Put simply, ‘Later Than You Think’ has all the ingredients of a classic radio single. From the get-go the song begins with a catchy opening riff, that instantly kicks back in after the chorus. Containing a distinguishable verse, pre-chorus, and chorus that all alter the song’s dynamics, the track builds to its climax before fading out with its melodic focal line, “Cuz it’s later than you think”.
Carrying a breezy spring into summer feel, the song’s central guitar hook has a kind of open-air charm, the sort that makes you want to tilt your head back and let your body flow to the music across an endless field of green.
Ironically, this vibe aligns with one of the track’s central lyrical themes. The lines, “I wish that I had tried a little harder to tell you” and “this ain’t no burning building that needs to be run from” suggest a “faraway hills are green” scenario about to unfold. A theme that will resonate with listeners who have experienced the unfortunate reality of tragic foresight, where despite their own convictions, they must let a loved one learn their own lesson.
Barry recently debuted a number of new songs live at Geoff’s Bar earlier this month and, strikingly, opened for The Bluetones on 12 June at Bank Lane. Seemingly focused on releasing singles for the time being, it’s evident that with the likes of ‘Later Than You Think’ alongside previous tracks such as ‘Love You When You’re Gone’, Barry has all the ability to write a great radio hit. Catchy, melodic, harmonising and relatable, Barry possesses a cluster of songs that as things stand might just make him one of Ireland’s hidden gems.
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