Track of the Day: Luke Clerkin – Home (2025)
Known as one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in Ireland, Luke Clerkin has a fiery passion for music burning in his soul. For over ten years, the Dublin-based artist has entertained audiences with moving melodies, but also collaborates with others ensuring every singer-songwriter has the chance to make a difference. We came across Luke Clerkin in 2020 with his single ‘Confession Box’, and since then we continued to watch Clerkin hoping for more from the intriguing individual. Today, we take a gander at one of his most recent tracks, ‘Home’.
With delicate souls, tender hearts, and an accent to die for, the Irish instantly connect with a profound but whimsical intensity. Taken from his debut album Orpheus – a particularly significant release as it documents his personal journey over the past decade – ‘Home’ captures the themes of self-discovery, hope, healing and transformation in its moving sounds.
Sprinkling his magical producer dust across the melody, singer-songwriter Gavin Doyle gives ‘Home’ a sparkling sheen with its sophisticated sound. Yet, while Doyle’s skills brush the track with elegant maturity, a hint of youthful innocence whispers along the polished composition. Joined by Matilde Lotti (cello), Kieran Kelly (bodhran), and Doyle on other instruments, ‘Home’ is a flowing concoction of acoustic guitars, bold drums, and a haunting string section. Interestingly, while the single is mellifluous and smooth soothing your soul with its delicate tones, a sense of longing nostalgia settles amidst the beats.
Alongside singer-songwriter Brid Lyons, ‘Home’ is a glimpse into traditional Irish folk bound by heartfelt charm. The interplay between Lyons and Clerkin’s rich vocals act as a conversation between old friends lingering on yesteryear. Clerkin explains:
“’Home’ was written in 2015 when I’d been busking a lot in Temple Bar for a mental health charity called Teen-Line Ireland… It’s about a couple looking back on the night that they met in Temple Bar whilst busking and how those were much simpler times.”
While many Irish folk songs are filled with sorrow, ‘Home’ is not one of those. Sincere, sentimental and intriguing, it clasps your heart and has you smiling from the outset. I cannot wait to explore the other tracks on Clerkin’s debut album.
Find out more about Luke Clerkin on his Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
Listen to more folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
