Dublin’s Cian Godfrey has quickly cemented himself as one of Ireland’s biggest talents under the project name Somebody’s Child.
Early singles such as Jungle and Lost showed off Godfrey’s potential for creating a catchy and passionate tune, with both songs exploding during lockdown and still racking up streams on Spotify years later.
In 2023, Godfrey is keen to take this excitement building around his name and give fans what they want. The self-titled debut manages to do so and more, carefully balancing the ambition to take the band further but still containing the rawness seen on their early EPs.
First single Broken Record is as loud as it is intoxicating, which Cian said explores his fear of growing up. “Getting older and feeling trapped, attempting to reconnect with my former self and trying to regain a sense of innocence that was once taken for granted.” Despite its instrumentals potentially falling into the category of ‘every indie song you’ve ever heard’, Godfrey’s performance helps it stand out from what is an extremely competitive genre. It’s a great track, and one definitely for a warm summer day.
Sell Out possesses a guitar riff that at first feels uncharismatic, but is also quickly given life with driving bass and the compelling vocal performance we’ve come to expect from Godfrey. There’s a running theme here.
Meanwhile, We Can Start A War has been given a new form of life in an updated version for the album. Now, the muted guitar strings sound crisper and louder in the mix and the chorus pops more. Godfrey’s vocals have improved here as well, sounding mature and compelling and showcasing the growth he’s done as an artist throughout the years.
Godfrey said the album was partly inspired by Irish stereotypes. “We’re not all smoking cigarettes, drinking Guinness around a candle in some pub reading Joyce. We’re a forward-thinking group of people who are struggling to afford to live in the place we’re from. This album has been my escape.”
This intention shows on his debut, sonically the production sounds clean and fresh, with flavoursome reverb guitar playing that’s expertly mixed with the rest of the band thanks to Mikko Gordon, who’s worked with Arcade Fire and The Smile. Godfrey’s lyrics, while sometimes lacking nuance are effective and enjoyable, successfully getting across the themes of the album in what is an extremely enjoyable listen.
Tour Dates
- 20th Jan 2023 — Eurosonic, Groningen
- 7th Feb 2023 — Rough Trade East, London
- 8th Feb 2023 — Night & Day Cafe, Manchester SOLD OUT
- 9th Feb 2023 — Foundry Studio, Sheffield
- 11th Feb 2023 — Joiners, Southampton
- 12th Feb 2023 — Exchange, Bristol
- 14th Feb 2023 — Omeara, London SOLD OUT
- 17th Feb 2023 — Jimmy’s, Liverpool
- 18th Feb 2023 — Think Thank, Newcastle
- 19th Feb 2023 — King Tut’s, Glasgow
- 21st Feb 2023 — Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
- 24th Feb 2023 — Róisín Dubh, Galway
- 25th Feb 2023 — Dolan’s, Limerick
- 1st March 2023 — Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
- 2nd March 2023 — Cyprus Avenue, Cork
- 3rd March 2023 — The Academy, Dublin
- 4th March 2023 — Spirit Store, Dundalk
- 8th March 2023 — Le POPUP du Label, Paris
- 9th March 2023 — Trix Bar, Antwerp
- 10th March 2023 — Paradiso (Upstairs), Amsterdam SOLD OUT
- 11th March 2023 — Privatclub, Berlin
- 14th-18th March 2023 — SXSW, Austin
- 22nd March 2023 — Mercury Lounge, New York
- 23rd March 2023 — The Middle East (Upstairs), Boston