Jamie McIntyre has done it again. Fresh off the release of his album “Chapter 23” which has amassed over 250,000 plays in its first month, Jamie is back with “Outside the City”. This may be his catchiest track yet, no exaggeration. It’s been stuck in my head for weeks and I’ve even caught myself waking up singing it. If Spotify counted unreleased plays, this would already be my most played song of the year.
It kicks off with that very trendy and familiar Irish folk-pop sound that’s been blowing up lately, fans of Darren Kiely, Kingfishr, and Amble will feel right at home. The opening especially gives Mulcair Road vibes, but Jamie brings his own style to it. There’s this upbeat folk rhythm that’s super easy to fall into, and the chorus is instant earworm material.
Lyrically, it’s got that mix of small-town nostalgia and romantic what-ifs Jamie has perfected over the years. No matter how many times you hear it, the chorus just sticks, and the way the track builds around it makes it really hard not to sing along.
One of the most fun parts of the track comes near the end, where Jamie fakes you out with a sudden pause that makes you think it’s over and then it kicks right back in. It’s clever without being gimmicky, and it adds a little surprise that makes you want to hit replay just to hear it again. I’ve loved that part since my first listen.
The production also deserves a shoutout. There’s a really nice balance here between the raw, emotional feel of a folk song and the tight, polished sound that gives it wider appeal. That’s not an easy thing to perfect as you’re essentially walking a tightrope to get it right. It has the kind of bounce that could easily work in a more electronic or acoustic remix, similar to what Jamie’s done before. You can tell this track was built with both heart and intention, but it never tries too hard or feels forced, it just works.
With “Outside the City”, Jamie is showing that he’s not just part of Ireland’s folk-pop wave, he’s helping define where it’s headed. And with his new Irish tour just announced, now’s the perfect time to get familiar. This track is made to be heard live, and chances are you’ll be singing it long after too.
‘Outside The City’ is no Outside as it scores a nice 8.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography