Ailbhe Reddy is back and ‘Inhaling’

Ailbhe Reddy’s debut album in 2020, Personal History was a step up for the Dublin musician in terms of songwriting, intent and sound.

Since then Reddy has collaborated with Sacred Animals and Elaine Mai and the album was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in 2021.

We reviewed the album on the podcast.

Produced by Erland Cooper and Tommy McLaughlin in Attica Audio in Donegal, Personal History is informed by Ailbhe spending a year studying psychotherapy and the insights gleaned from that time informs the lyrics of the record, delving into relationships, mental health and coming out, and told with a bruising personal honesty.

Nialler9’s Top 25 Irish albums of 2020

Today, marks the first song post-Personal History from Ailbhe, ‘Inhaling’ is a song built on a loping bassline with Ailbhe reflecting on her past singing “I was inhaling, I was always living / Six rows from the back, kicking and screaming.”

“’Inhaling’ is all about feeling drained and restless in life and looking back on my younger self and thinking that, even if it was a totally chaotic disaster at times, at least I had feeling; At least I was experiencing new things and living in the moment. It’s about missing being out with my friends partying and feeling alive and free. It’s ultimately a song about freedom.”

The single will be released via New York City-based independent record label MNRK.

Ailbhe Reddy is playing The Great Escape in May.

Inhaling Lyrics:

Just because I say I will
Doesn’t mean shit
Just because I’m sorry now
I still meant it
Always wanted to be someone,
somewhere else
I’d say you know me better than you
even know yourself

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I was inhaling, I was always living
Six rows from the back, kicking and
screaming
I used to know you, but maybe that’s
worth nothing
I was in pain but at least I had feeling
At least I had feeling

Don’t watch your mouth
Come on, baby, spit it out
Over your chipped coffee mug
I’m lying half dead on the rug
Where you used to lie beside
When I had nothing to give
But nothing to hide

I was inhaling, I was always living
Six rows from the back, kicking and
screaming
I used to know you, but maybe that’s
worth nothing
I was in pain but at least I had feeling
At least I had feeling

What are you doing to me?
What are you doing to me, doing to
me?
What are you doing to me?
What are you doing to me, doing to
me?
What are you doing to me?
What are you doing to me, doing to
me?

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