Declan O'Rourke

From his debut album, &#39;Since Kyabram&#39; (2004), Ireland’s Declan O’Rourke has been praised by songwriting giants such as <a href="spotify:artist:0nJUwPwC9Ti4vvuJ0q3MfT" data-name="John Prine">John Prine</a> (“a great songwriter”) and <a href="spotify:artist:7Lf3LOZp3U3u2f6cWMd3AH" data-name="Paul Weller">Paul Weller</a> (“he writes the sort of classic songs that people don’t write anymore”). His work, meanwhile, has been covered by world-class artists such as <a href="spotify:artist:3Ebn7mKYzD0L3DaUB1gNJZ" data-name="Christy Moore">Christy Moore</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3wZAiOGETNLlxeRVYpZCUA" data-name="Camille O&#39;Sullivan">Camille O&#39;Sullivan</a>, <a href="spotify:album:1KoeCtM7qMibKG6JQNB2Ks" data-name="Eddi Reader">Eddi Reader</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:6cXMpsP9x0SH4kFfMyVezF" data-name="Josh Groban">Josh Groban</a>.
O’Rourke has released seven acclaimed albums, an expressive body of work (“proferring reassurance in the face of inevitable sorrow” - New York Times’ music writer, Jon Pareles) that catches the light in many ways. His latest (seventh) album, &#39;Arrivals&#39;, is assuredly his most distinctive yet.
Released in April 2021, produced by <a href="spotify:artist:7Lf3LOZp3U3u2f6cWMd3AH" data-name="Paul Weller">Paul Weller</a> &#39;Arrivals&#39; features emotionally potent songs that summon the atmosphere of some of the great folk records that influenced the developing artist and musician as a younger, aspiring writer, (<a href="spotify:artist:5hW4L92KnC6dX9t7tYM4Ve" data-name="Joni Mitchell">Joni Mitchell</a> &#39;Ladies of the Canyon&#39;, and <a href="spotify:artist:5TABL8E2QU96gOZSS82bU3" data-name="Nic Jones">Nic Jones</a> &#39;Penguin Eggs&#39;, to name but two).
Emerging at a time when the world is in a phase of serious flux, &#39;Arrivals&#39; is more present than past, however, and is also his most humanitarian.
“O’Rourke is a masterful lyricist and staggering guitarist” - Mojo ****
&#34;Brilliantly stands out&#34; - American Songwriter
“It is a gem. Fabulous guitar and singing. Just love this &#39;Arrivals&#39; album&#34; - Pete Townshend
“If he’s been a best-kept secret up to now, Arrivals should finally blow his cover” - Uncut 8/10