I can safely say there’s a rare kind of magic in Lōwli’s new single Ground Above You, out today via Veta Records. From its haunting opening to its rich, layered close, the track strays from the conventional structure, instead it unwinds like a slow-burning cinematic piece over its four minutes and forty seconds.
Lōwli, aka Irish composer and songwriter Roisin Lowry, weaves neo-classical strings, dark-pop atmosphere, and delicate piano into something unbelievably immersive. Each element in this track tells its own story. Her vocal entrance is breathtaking. When her voice arrives, it’s deep, commanding, and steeped in feeling.
What’s most striking about Ground Above You is how singular it feels. In a landscape filled with over-processed pop and formulaic releases, Lōwli offers something truly unique: something expansive, and steeped in craft. Echoes of Agnes Obel and Hania Rani can be heard, but the final result is entirely her own.
We’ve featured Lōwli on the site a few times now, and it’s been a pleasure to watch her artistry continue to evolve. She’s earned praise from The Irish Times, Hot Press, and The Last Mixed Tape, and her music has landed on Spotify editorial playlists and aired on RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM, BBC Radio, and more. Following a sold-out headline show at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre in 2023 and performances at Other Voices and Ireland Music Week, she’s firmly cemented herself as one of Ireland’s most compelling emerging voices.
There’s nothing quite like this around right now, and that makes it essential listening. With her debut album set for release later this year, Ground Above You marks the beginning of a very exciting few months for Lōwli.
‘Ground Above You’ is awarded a well deserved 7.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography