Declan O’Rourke – releases his new single ‘Echo’

Ahead of the release of his eighth studio album Oceanic this October, acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke unveils lead single Echo.

The single offers a first glimpse of the forthcoming album, which draws on O’Rourke’s long-standing connection to Australia, and reflects a life lived across two continents and hemispheres. Produced by O’Rourke and longtime friend and collaborator Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), Echo features Moginie on electric guitars, and Nick Seymour (Crowded House) on bass. 

Speaking on the release, O’Rourke says “The simple message of Echo is that what you send out into the world is what comes back to you. Jim and I wrote it fairly fast. But it became such a fun kind of beefy rocker as we recorded. I love how dynamic and robust it turned out to be.”

The single also features in the forthcoming Australian feature film Almost With You, which sees O’Rourke make his screen acting debut and receives its world premiere at Galway Film Fleadh next week on Thursday, 9th July. Written and directed by Irish-born Australian Adam Morris and set against the striking backdrop of Albany, Western Australia, the film is a lyrical portrait of resilience, the fragile beauty of second chances and the meaning and purpose of music. The accompanying music video for Echo offers a first look at Almost With You, featuring scenes from the film.

The film features nine original songs written and performed by O’Rourke, including new single Echo. O’Rourke takes on the lead role of Brendan Kelly, an Irish musician at the end of a solo Australian tour, who finds himself in Albany with an uncharacteristic five days off. Deep in grief over the recent loss of his brother and musical partner, Kelly finds solace in the warmth and community spirit of the town, forming new connections through a shared love of music.

Oceanic, recorded in Sydney with Moginie as co-producer, marks a profound full-circle moment in O’Rourke’s life and career. Returning to Australia, where he first began recording songs as a teenager, O’Rourke has created a record shaped by place, memory and return.

Speaking on the album, O’Rourke explains:

“Oceanic somehow wrote, and then made itself too.

I’ve always felt that being an artist is a process of stripping away layers of yourself to get to the core. If that’s true, then Oceanic is a collection of dreams that have surfaced on their own, from among the deepest of my own layers.”

Echo is available now on all streaming platforms. Oceanic will be released on 16 October ahead of a nationwide Irish tour this autumn. The World Premiere of Almost With You takes place at Galway Film Fleadh on 9 July 2026.

For more information and tickets, visit: www.declanorourke.com / www.galwayfilmfleadh.com