EP Review: Somebody’s Child – 'Staying Sane'

Dublin-based indie rock five-piece Somebody’s Child share new EP ‘Staying Sane’ – Sleek, smooth and undeniably catchy. 

Written on a road trip along the west coast of Ireland, ‘Staying Sane’ boasts free flowing soundscapes of swirling indie and infectious hooks. But under its bouncy guitars hide tales of insecurity that dive into vocalist Cian Godfrey’s psyche. “I only wanted to be cool ‘cause I’ve been lonely almost all my life,” he sings on standout track ‘Crazy’, revisiting the glorified popularity contest that is high school and his greatest fear: “going crazy.” Directly contrasting this heavy atmosphere, closing track ‘(You Are My) Friends’ finds Somebody’s Child swimming in a sea of synthy optimism as they sing an anthemic ode to friendship.

Following previous EPs ‘Hope, Amongst Other Things’ and ’20-Something’, ‘Staying Sane’ unlocks a new, more cheerful side to Somebody’s Child’s sound. Vulnerable with a happy ending, this record leaves no room for doubt that Irish bands do it better. 

Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven

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