Orla Gartland - 'Late To The Party' ft. Declan McKenna
Photo by Nicole Ngai
Irish star Orla Gartland is late to the party in her punchy new single, ‘Late To The Party’, featuring a dynamo collaboration with Declan McKenna.
As part of Gartland’s upcoming album, Everybody Needs a Hero, ‘Late To The Party (feat. Declan McKenna)’ is a high-energy hit where, according to Gartland, she discusses ‘the baggage you inherit when you love someone’ and wanting the relationship to return to ‘a blank slate.’
With such aggressive, angsty drums and that tight, forceful bass, there’s an undeniably attractive heartbeat to the song, keeping listeners in rhythm with the flow of Gartland and McKenna’s story. Admitting her behaviour is ‘all part of the drill,’ Gartland spins out of control, quickly losing her mind, as the song stretches into slowed-down distorted arrangements, time and again, exemplified by words, “The room is falling around me/I’m clingin’ to the car seat/Late to the party.” Pushing onward with her chaotic meltdown, she’s beyond finished with the ‘damage’ done to her partner on behalf of other women; she wants to start anew, but not necessarily with someone new – hence, her ‘blank slate’ statement. And she’s found music as a fitting outlet for her destructively strong emotions!
McKenna makes his entrance in the bridge, assertively narrating the evolving situation with a hammering chorus of instruments: “You have it, you pass it on/You want it, until you don’t,” saying how Gartland’s received an unwelcome parcel of sorts, ‘passed on’ from her partner’s previous lovers. There’s such tenacity and almost a helplessness from Gartland, which only fuels her growing restlessnes and desire for conflict, as mirorred by the musical compositions and choice of tone and texture, alchemising something quite potent and intense.
Infused with Gartland’s sharp wit and charm, as seen in lyrics, “Let me go back/Shake her hand/I wanna give her my thanks/For the damage she’s done,” she stays true to the seriousness of the matter, while utilising her innate flair for humorous song writing, almost making fun of the situation, lightening things up. Gartland most certainly possesses the characteristics and charisma of a true entertainer, and these qualities are on full display with the help of McKenna’s creative spirit in this vivacious single. Together, this duo have conjured a song of edginess, determination, and desperation, combining the best of their artistic strengths.
With its energy of youthful zest and unrelenting discontent, this vibrant musical anthem is the song you’ve needed to validate your feelings of bitter unease in your relationship, as well as being an undeniably enthusiastic party number. Let this be your one last summer high as we fall into the autumnal season of 2024.
Words by Sydney Kaster
