‘Dense Water Deeper Down’ is the first single release from O’Shea’s forthcoming album ‘Songs In The Key Of O’, due for release on March 6th 2026.
Coinciding with the anniversary of Sineád O’Connor’s passing (July 26th), the single was selected after Helen undertook extensive research into the late singer’s catalogue for this special album project, sourcing three songs that resonated with her most deeply.
Sinéad O’Connor’s debut on Ireland’s Late Late Show had a profound impact on Helen during her time in medical school, when the young singer exploded on the screen with a crew cut and a tank top scream singing “Mandinka”. Helen, as well as many Irish girls, were transfixed by this new vision of womanhood – gentleness and anger, ferocity and determination – with a beautiful voice. Sinéad O’Connor encouraged a new generation of Irish youth to be true to themselves like never before.
Taken from O’Connor’s 2014 album ‘I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss’, ‘Dense Water Deeper Down’ inspired Helen’s producer, Marc Swersky, to gather the best local singers – Brielle Brown, Sharon Lasher, Fiona Tyndall and Jo Wymer – into the studio to create the special Jersey Girls tribute to Sinéad ; lightness, frivolity and deep respect shining throughout.
Produced by two-time Grammy Winner Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, NoShows, Little Stranger), the song and full album was engineered by Jack Daley (Spin Doctors) at Dug Deep Production in Asbury Park, NJ, mixed by Seth Von Paulus (Linda Perry) and mastered by Leon Zervos. The album features throughout Aaron Comes (Spin Doctors), Ron Clores (The Black Crowes, Jesse Malin), Andrew Carillo (Joan Osbourne, James Maddock) and Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, NoShows, Little Stranger) as well as strings on selected tracks from Nathan Bishop and Nicole Scorsone and harmonica from Jay Carlile (The Carlile Family Band, Wynonna Judd Band & Brother Of Brandi Carlile). Featured vocalists on the album include Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hot House Flowers), Barry Murphy (Hermitage Green), James Maddock (Wood), Brad Butcher, Michelle Moore (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – E Street Choir), Caroline Carlile (The Carlile Family Band and niece Of Brandi Carlile), Brielle Brown, Sharon Lasher, Fiona Tyndall and Jo Wymer.