Photo credit: Jim Fuller
“Made for arenas” – BBC Radio 1, Clara Amfo
“truly something special” – CLASH
“pretty much hits the sweetest of spots throughout” – DORK
Following the breakout success of their self-titled debut album in 2023, Dublin’s Somebody’s Child – the project led by Cian Godfrey – return with a bold new chapter in their musical journey. Since the release of their first record, the band have taken their powerful live performances to new heights, opening for The War on Drugs, Bloc Party and Kings of Leon at BST Hyde Park, following on with a sold-out night at London’s Heaven to celebrate the debut album release. Appearances in their native Ireland have included the bucket list moments, headlining the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin and playing on the Main Stage at the country’s biggest festival, Electric Picnic.
Today, they announce their highly anticipated sophomore album When Youth Fades Away, set for release on March 28, 2025, via Frenchkiss Records. The announcement comes alongside the release of the album’s lead single, “Time Of My Life,” which is now available on all streaming platforms.
Recorded in the US with by Grammy Award-winner Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Frightened Rabbit), When Youth Fades Away showcases a leap in maturity, both musically and thematically, for the band. Frontman Cian Godfrey describes the album as a reflection on the inevitable process of ageing and the shifting perspectives that come with it. “If our first album was about running away, this one is about staying put and reflecting,” says Godfrey. “It’s about letting people in and letting ourselves out.”
The lead single “Time Of My Life” sets the tone for this new era, blending Somebody’s Child’s signature indie rock sound with a more reflective and autobiographical lyrical approach. Written in the closing stages of the album’s recording process, the song is a two-chord anthem that captures the bittersweet nostalgia of life’s fleeting moments. “It’s about the flashing of life before your eyes, ending in a feeling of resolve, leaving legacy through songs and accepting fate,” Godfrey explains. “It was one of the most cathartic songs we’ve ever written.”
“We’ve always wanted to write a 2 chord song, and this finally came out without force. Another one that was written with an idea; ‘let’s close out the album’. We were about to give up on writing that day, and we gave it one last go. Less than an hour later, we had a full song with more lyrics than we’ve ever had. I remember the feeling so well. I thought we’d been at it for 6 hours. Pure elation.”
To accompany, Somebody’s Child also share the music video for “Time Of My Life” co-directed by Apollo Films’ Adrian Lee and bandleader Cian Godfrey. The music video stars breakout Dublin actress Caroline Menton, a fast rising name among cinephiles for her roles in Channel 5’s All Creatures Great & Small as well as this year’s cult indie horror Oddity.
Godfrey said on the music video, “The inspiration behind the music video was a crossover between trainspotting and Skins. I’ve always been a massive fan of film, perhaps more so than music in the literal meaning of the word [fan], and it’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. I think having been inside this world for so long allowed me to visualise the reality of the music.”
He continues, “My aspiration was to try and bring the audience closer to this world. Something that helped with this visualising during the process was reading Murakami in French. Not being able to fully understand the words allowed my mind to fill in the gaps. His writing and storytelling were a big inspiration throughout. A massive thanks to Apollo Films for helping me with that.”
When Youth Fades Away explores a new range of emotional and sonic territory, from the synth-driven experimentation of the title track, to the introspective, stripped-back vulnerability of “Irish Goodbye.” Drawing influences from early electronic pioneers Kraftwerk (whose use of technology became a north star for the band) and the personal lyricism of Leonard Cohen, the album is indicative of the band pushing beyond indie rock conventions into new creative ground. The record features additional keyboard instrumentation by The Gloaming member Thomas Bartlett (Doveman).
Godfrey likens the album’s narrative themes to seeing something old with fresh eyes. “It’s like going back to your parents’ house and noticing something you haven’t seen in years, and having a completely different perspective on it now that you’re older,” he says. “Perhaps you’ve reached the age they were upon purchasing it. Whatever it is, it formed a part of your parents life and had significance in their past. You may not have been there for its use, but like the yellowing of a book, it becomes highlighted by time. By recognising this, we are giving value to it.”
After a monumental few years that saw Somebody’s Child perform alongside some of the biggest names in music and headline major venues, When Youth Fades Away promises to be a defining moment in Somebody’s Child’s journey, setting the stage for the band to carve their place on modern rock music.
Somebody’s Child finish 2024 with a smattering of dates across the UK and Europe starting at Liverpool’s Favourite Days Festival. Full list of dates below. Buy tickets here.
Live dates:
8th November – Favourite Days Festival – Liverpool, UK
16th November – Live at Leeds In The City – Leeds, UK
4th December – Simplon Poppodium – Groningen, NL
6th December – Effenaar – Eindhoven, NL
7th December – Ekko – Utrecht, NL [SOLD OUT]
