Irish indie artist Shimmer Boy (Aaron O’Sullivan) today releases new single Brixton, the third glimpse into his debut album In The Aftermath, We Bloom coming 1st July 2026, following initial singles Under the Surface and Faith In You.
Brixton cuts deep into the struggles of being an artist in Ireland today – a story of rejection. It captures the frustration of a young musician, “Johnny”, a character ignored by the industry for not having the “right” social numbers, and the heartbreak of feeling invisible in your own home country. But it’s also bigger than one story – it reflects the reality of an entire generation of Irish youth who are forced to leave for London, Australia and beyond in search of opportunity, belonging, and the chance to make something better of themselves.
The track explores the push and pull of emigration: the hope of finding a stage abroad, and the ache of leaving home behind.
“Ireland is full of artists, workers, and dreamers who never get the chance to be seen – not because they lack talent, but because they lack numbers, resources or access,” explains Shimmer Boy.
“ ‘Brixton’ is about that rejection, but also about the resilience of getting up, leaving, and chasing the dream anyway – even if it means breaking your own heart.”
Brixton continues the momentum of Shimmer Boy’s debut, with initial single Under the Surface featured on season 30 of the hugely popular reality tv series Made in Chelsea – a significant breakthrough moment for the West Cork artist. Having initially thought the feature “had to be a scam”, Aaron says the responses since have been overwhelming: “The reaction since has been unreal – the messages, the support, the buzz around the track… it’s been deadly to see.”
The upcoming album In the Aftermath, We Bloom is a journey through loss, recovery,
and rebirth. Across its tracks, Aaron confronts addiction, heartbreak, migration, and hope –
ultimately finding beauty in survival and the courage to bloom again. The album showcases a new willingness to learn from the past, grow and be a little kinder to himself and those around him. In The Aftermath, We Bloom is set for release on 1st July 2026.
From West Cork, Aaron O’Sullivan has explored various musical pursuits since playing DeBarra’s Folk Club every Friday night at the age of 15. Aaron has gigged extensively in Ireland and abroad since his teens, supporting and sharing the stage with the likes of Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy), James Arthur, Cory Wong, Ariel Posen (Vulfpeck/Bros Landreth), Kellie Lewis and Culture Kid, as well as playing guitar with artists such as Oscar Blue, Stephanie Rainey & Harry Hudson Taylor.
Having spent most of his early 20’s in a self-constructed musical and social chaos, Aaron’s songs as Shimmer Boy capture the highs and lows of coming to terms with past mistakes as well as the joy of self-acceptance and new beginnings. This new chapter finds him with a renewed sense of purpose, community and a more peaceful pace of life and creativity.
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Cover Credit – Dylan Clifford