It’s been a pivotal year for Belfast-based musician Eamon Donnelly. Debuting earlier this year with ‘Dead Ends’, the talented newcomer is now back with his sophomore effort, ‘Pale Imitations’, a piece that refocuses the project on moody, sombre indie matter. The release also ships with ‘Keebo’s Holyland Blues’, a B-side that single-handedly keeps alive Donnelly’s rock influences.
From a sonic standpoint, ‘Pale Imitations’ feels more introspective than its predecessor, with Donnelly’s taking a melancholic stance, yet one that’s quiet and composed. We feel as though on this occasion it’s easier to observe Eamon’s nuanced songwriting allure, as he draws from personal experience and wider imagery to then uncover relatable emotional storytelling. The Northern Irish creative boasts a peculiar vocal tone, one that’s vibrant and jagged, but also very precise and hard-hitting. It’s perfect for this kind of aural poignancy.
Delving deeper into the record, Donnelly explains: “I had a very precise vision for this track going into its production. Musically, I wanted to capture a similar sound to bands like The Smiths, Radiohead, The Verve, etc. Each of these groups shares that real dreary and sombre sound, but not necessarily ‘dark’. I wrote the song while also going through an odd phase in my personal life. Just feeling like I’ve passed my best as an artist and pretty tired of not being where I’d like to be.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Pale Imitations’ now: