Cathal Fitz opened up a new chapter this week with the release of Enemy of Love, a track that feels like another massive step forward in his music career. Known for introspective acoustic tunes with that Damien Rice/Jeff Buckley tinge, this one doesn’t stray too far from that but has also got more of a pulse to it. It’s perfect for playing while driving around, sun peeking through the clouds. It’s also got that catchy hook that will make it appeal to social algorithms.
The song starts softly, with a gentle instrumental and those warm, distinctive vocals of his sitting front and centre. There’s something familiar yet fresh in his tone, it gave me flashes of Glen Hansard (of The Frames fame), but with a more laid-back, almost conversational delivery. He’s not trying to belt emotions into your ears, he’s letting them casually sit with you, which actually makes it work better in places.
As I mentioned above, that hook is really catchy. The line “this is the enemy of love, the enemy of love…” just plants itself in your brain almost immediately. I found myself humming and singing along to it without even realising, which says a lot. There’s a brightness to the production that contrasts the lyrical weight, a clever little balancing act that gives the whole track a lift.
What makes this release even more impressive is that Cathal’s still relatively new to the game. He only started making music a little over a year ago and he’s already got a growing catalogue, “A Promise” is a personal favourite of mine. But Enemy of Love feels like the first proper glimpse into where he could go sonically. It’s a track made with purpose, but not too polished or forced. He’s clearly enjoying making this music, and that energy trickles through.
All in all, it’s a strong, memorable release from someone who’s diving head-first into the dream. Cathal is not just aimlessly chasing the music, he’s putting the work in, and you can feel that in everything he puts out. Enemy of Love is a worthy addition to his journey, and I’m genuinely excited to see what comes next.
‘Enemy Of Love’ score a 7.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography