Ailbhe Reddy has released details of her upcoming debut album ‘Personal History’ out October 2nd. The Dubliner will celebrate the album’s release with two sold-out shows at The Workman’s Club, Dublin on the same night.
The album is preceded by the release of third single ‘Looking Happy’ which is the type of upbeat sad banger we’ve come to expect from Reddy, the track will be familiar to anybody that saw her play at Ireland Music Week last year as it was a highlight of her set that night.
Following in the footsteps of ‘Time Difference’ and ‘Between Your Teeth’, ‘Looking Happy’ is drawn from Reddy’s experiences of isolation whilst touring. Looking back at experience of writing ‘Personal History’ Reddy credits her recent studies for opening the conduit which allowed her to examine herself so closely.
“I spent a year studying psychotherapy before I started writing this album and I realised while recording that I had subconsciously included a lot of clinical terms in my lyrics. Words like ego, true intimacy, personal history, self improvement. The themes of understanding my fear of and need for relationships with others, my frustration with myself, my journey with self acceptance. The collection of songs I ultimately decided to put on this record are all linked to my desire as a songwriter to understand myself and those around me. Writing is about being understood, music is therapy.”
The video for ‘Looking Happy’ sees Ailbhe enthusiastically taking in the world playing tennis and partying with friends including Sarah from Pillow Queens and Callum Orr on a bouncy castle. It’s a classic tale of still waters running deep, everything looks fine from the outside but when you peer a bit closer you’ll see that everything is far from okay underneath the surface.
‘Personal History’ – Track Listing
- Failing
- Loyal
- Between Your Teeth
- Walk Away
- Life Without You
- Looking Happy
- Personal History
- Time Difference
- Late Bloomer
- Self Improvement
Pre-order ‘Personal History’ – here