Dublin’s Queen Bitch (aka Róisín Bohan) is back with not just one—but two—gritty new tracks that crackle with grunge-soaked soul. Her latest single “Even If I Pray,” releasing today with B-side “A Popular Song,” delivers a one-two punch of emotional reckoning and guitar-driven liberation. And honestly.. they absolutely shred.
Opening track “Even If I Pray” starts with a dialed-in distortion, a steady kick-snare groove, and vocals that walk the line between eternal and hard-hitting. Lyrically, it’s drenched in regret, surrender, and self-awareness, but it never wallows. Instead, the track builds with purpose, rising from its ashes to deliver one of the most impressive instrumental outros I’ve heard in a minute. If you’re going to make a track that’s six minutes long, you better earn it and Queen Bitch does.
Then comes “A Popular Song,” the B-side that’s anything but background noise. Not content with the previous song reaching the 6 minute mark, this one is 7 minutes and 13 seconds of driving guitars, moody undertones, and a chaotic yet calculated solo at the 5-minute mark. The drums, once again, are superb. The chorus, stripped down to a chant-like na-na-na hook, feels like the final purge. You’re either with Queen Bitch or you’re in the way.
Both songs were produced at Beardfire Studios by David Virgin, and the attention to detail is obvious. Whether it’s the way the drums ignite the chorus or how the guitars snarl through the mix, every element here feels deliberate, sharpened, and fierce.
There’s a clear confidence at the core of this release that keeps you locked in. Queen Bitch isn’t trying to fit the mold, not at all, she’s busy smashing it to pieces.
Catch Queen Bitch live at The Crowbar Terrace on June 21st. If these tracks are anything to go by, that show’s going to be loud in every sense of the word.
Crowbar Terrace Show – 21st June – Tickets Here
Both songs come in with a 7.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography