“I Love You Dublin (But You’re Dying)” is a new track from emerging Irish indie rock artist Cian Airoldi, releasing June 24th! Broadly inspired by Dublin’s musical history and his own personal experiences, Airoldi’s new single, which he produced at home, is an introspective love letter addressing the uncertain future of Dublin’s live music venues, most of which are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a heartfelt plea to save a huge part of Dublin’s unique identity, straight from the mouth of a new artist and thus, someone most likely to be affected by its possible loss.
“I wanted to capture the feeling of loss, frustration and uncertainty that many of us have experienced in Dublin in the past few years,” Airoldi has said. “It’s not just about the venues closing – it’s about the entire landscape changing, the heart of the city starting to fade, and all the little moments of connection that music gives us slipping away. The song is a love letter to Dublin, but it’s also a warning. We need to protect what makes this city unique.”
I agree with Airoldi that this is an important issue to highlight, and I really enjoyed my few listens of the track. It has a very fresh sound, raw in a way that is very charming, with very insistent drums and spirited vocals that convey the message perfectly. It sounds a lot more upbeat than you expect from the sobering lyrics, but this is a really effective juxtaposition.
For me, “I Love You Dublin (But You’re Dying)” is well worth the listen and gets a 7 out of 10.
Reviewer – Rachel Cooney
Photo credit – press photos