Irish singer-songwriter Shobsy (who just announced his signing to UK label So Recordings and a debut EP, “Own The Night”) has delivered a fresh single, “Dance or Cry”, releasing officially this Friday! The former frontman of the pop punk band State Lights has been busy, of late, performing as a special guest at the International Music Industry Awards Gala Dinner in Los Angeles as well as several sold out shows at recognisable Irish venues, including the Workman’s Club, the National Concert Hall and the Academy. The Dubliner has already built a considerable fanbase thanks to previous singles “Vanity”, “ENTERTAINMENT” and “Champagne”, as well as the acoustic cover of Jimmy Somerville’s “Smalltown Boy” that he sang live on “The Late Late Show”, which went viral online.
“‘Dance or Cry’ was the first song written from my sessions in Berlin. One of those songs that just popped out. I was listening a lot to Europop vibes as I travelled over, which found its way quickly into the writing. I’m fascinated by the late night club culture, the never ending party as if searching for something, for someone. I have always wanted a slow dance tune with a sense of melancholy, doubt and self pity… now I do!”
This is a great track. It does seem a little repetitive, at conception, and that can make or break a good dance tune. Too much one way or the other can turn a song into something you either want to listen to forever or can’t wait for the radio to cut away from, and “Dance or Cry” hits the exact right notes to ultimately be a catchy earworm. It ebbs and flows well, with a dark, moody edge that sets it apart from the more upbeat entries into this exact genre of music (think Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s greatest hits). At 3 minutes and 15 seconds, it’s the ideal length for a club bop, and I appreciate that it doesn’t try and overstay its welcome.
For me, it’s a solid 8/10! Things seem to be aligning extremely well for Shobsy in 2025, and if this is a taste of what his new EP will include, I’m excited to check it out!
Shobsy plays an intimate acoustic show followed by EP listening party on Mon 21st July at O’Regans in Dublin
Reviewer – Rachel Cooney
Single Artwork credit Adam O’Regan