Arrow In The Sky – The Girl Who Thought She Was A Bird (2024)
For some inexplicable reason, I tend to favour the Irish. Perhaps it’s my 1990s teenager love of Westlife and Boyzone, perhaps that I still fancy Ronan Keating, or maybe my adoration of the cake-loving wit of Dylan Moran; whatever it is, I have a special space in my heart for the Irish and the inexplicable favouritism is enhanced by the band Arrow In The Sky. Known for their distinctive brand of indie-folk, multi-instrumentalists Conor McCauley and Brian Murphy push the boundaries of folk music to something questioning conventionalism.
Following their well-received singles ‘Fire’ and ‘Time Of Need’, the pair take another step into 2024 with ‘The Girl Who Thought She Was A Bird’. Taken from their upcoming album, the single is a juxtaposition of high-spirited joviality and dark feelings of desperation. Using superb storytelling skills, ‘The Girl Who Thought She Was A Bird’ tells the tale of a young woman dreaming of transformation, escape and freedom; the desire to leave the doldrums of our reality seeking out the greener pastures on the other side of the fence. Penned during Ireland’s last recession and mass youth exodus, its message focuses on a theme so strikingly relatable regardless of the generation.
Joined by Kieran O’Malley (violin), Tim Fernley (double-bass) and Michael Cronin (drums), ‘The Girl Who Thought She Was A Bird’ brims with traditional Irish music sentimentality; however, a slip of contemporary indie-folk meets indie-rock tones shimmers within. Soothing and calm, one can easily listen to the kaleidoscopic weaving of violins, double-bass, percussion, piano and drums with comforting ease. Interestingly, while the interplay of instruments and rich vocals is a deep breath of fresh air in a dire situation, heart-breaking yearning kicks in a sense of strong vulnerability.
Finding the line between content acceptance and tragic longing for something else, Arrow In The Sky weave beauty with desperation in ‘The Girl Who Thought She Was A Bird’.
Find out more about Arrow In The Sky on their Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
Discover more indie-folk music on The Other Side Indie Folk playlist:
