Ahead of the release of Strange Boy’s highly anticipated debut album ‘Holy/Unholy’ this Friday (June 25th), featuring the single Prayers and Waiting, we are delighted to bring you an exclusive first listen to one of the album’s powerful deep cuts Grief.

Grief channels Strange Boy’s signature blend of hip hop and trad music into a powerful exploration of the Limerick rapper‘s battles with mental health and self worth.

Photo by Leah O’Sullivan

‘Holy/Unholy’ features guest appearances from Hazey Haze, Moya Brennan and his brother Seán McNally Kelly and was produced by Enda Gallery fka delush. Pre-order ‘Holy/Unholy’ – here

Misplaced my heart too many times to count 

lost parts of me never again to be found 

dedicated to the pity it consoles me 

well self hate cus love left along with the ringing of the bells 

couple a screws unloose in my head 

couple of times almost tied that knot on the noose 

wrapped round my neck plenty of times 

stepped off that school had regrets 

melancholy she sings to me sweet 

with misery in her voice 

beckoning me to that hellish place 

that never seen god’s light 

and sometimes I pursue but other times I’m on the brew 

passing by my time 

Misplaced my heart too many times to count 

distrust myself whenever she comes round 

with her talk of torment and talk of death 

with a smile that lies and her eyes that tell tales 

that weave sadness around me 

but I guess I’m a lesser man 

I guess I’m a desperate man for some peace of mind 

I so need to pay the cost is not cheap 

but the smell of sorrow it reeks and lingers on too long 

so I pour myself another drop and start singing all these songs 

cus most days I’m weak and sometimes I’m strong 

but most days I spend my time writing all these wrongs