Somebody's Child - 'Time Of My Life'
In their new single ‘Time Of My Life’, Irish indie rock band Somebody’s Child crafts a reflective anthem that marks the beginning of a transformative era.
Lifted from their highly anticipated sophomore album, When Youth Fades Away, this track is a minimalistic yet profound exploration of life's fleeting beauty. Built on a foundation of just two chords, ‘Time Of My Life’ is a stripped-down yet emotive experience, serving as an intimate heartbeat to the album's themes of nostalgia, legacy, and the inevitability of ageing.
Frontman Cian Godfrey describes the song as “a flashing of life before your eyes,” a metaphor that immediately sets a reflective tone. Unlike much of their earlier work, which leaned into the upbeat, anthemic side of indie rock, ‘Time Of My Life’ introduces a more introspective Somebody's Child, one less focused on adrenaline and more on the delicate threads of memory and experience. The song’s simplicity in structure—using only two chords—allows listeners to immerse in the lyrics and resonate with Godfrey’s desire to find meaning in life’s quietest, most easily overlooked moments. It’s a sentiment Godfrey himself describes as “cathartic,” an attempt to encapsulate the legacy he wishes to leave through his music.
The song’s creation story adds a further dimension of authenticity. In a moment of pure spontaneity during the album’s final recording sessions, the band wrote and completed the song in under an hour. Godfrey shares how this unexpected flood of creativity left him with a lasting feeling of “pure elation,” as if the song had been waiting to reveal itself. This rawness and vulnerability shine through in the track, allowing it to act as both a sonic and emotional release, inviting listeners into the personal world of Somebody's Child.
When Youth Fades Away, recorded with renowned Grammy-winning producer Peter Katis, promises to expand on the reflective approach seen in ‘Time Of My Life’. Katis, known for his work with introspective rock giants like The National and Interpol, brings a new layer of depth to Somebody's Child's evolving sound. The album, which explores universal themes of connection, growth, and change, offers a deeply introspective journey that captures the bittersweet process of ageing. Tracks like the synth-heavy title song or the vulnerable ‘Irish Goodbye’ reveal a band willing to push beyond indie rock conventions, layering in synth textures and drawing inspiration from pioneers like Kraftwerk, while also embracing the lyrical intimacy of Leonard Cohen.
Godfrey envisions, When Youth Fades Away, as a meditation on perspective, likening it to revisiting a familiar place with new eyes. As he puts it, it's about returning to your parent’s house and noticing a piece of their past you once overlooked, suddenly meaningful in the present. This theme of rediscovery permeates the album, reminding listeners that even the smallest moments contribute to the fabric of our lives, highlighted by the slow passage of time.
As they move into 2025, Somebody’s Child stands on the edge of a transformative chapter. With ‘Time Of My Life’ as a preview, When Youth Fades Away, promises to not only redefine the band's artistic vision but resonate with audiences who, like them, grapple with life’s impermanence. The single and album showcase their transformation from a Godfrey-driven project to a voice for those who appreciate the beauty of time.
Words by Danielle Holian
