Shimmer Boy – announces debut album ‘In The Aftermath, We Bloom’, first single ‘Under the Surface’ out now

Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist Shimmer Boy (Aaron O’Sullivan) today makes his debut with new single Under the Surface, the first glimpse into his debut album, In The Aftermath, We Bloom, coming in 2026.

A raw and empathetic song about watching a friend struggle with addiction, Under the Surface sets the tone for the upcoming album. Speaking on the release, Shimmer Boy says “At almost two years sober, it feels like the right song to put out first. Ironically, it feels like something The War On Drugs could have written.”

Co-written with Fionn Hennessy, drummer with Cian Ducrot, Pa Sheehy and Little House, Shimmer Boy explains “We’ve always been great friends, and we spoke heavily about alcoholism and addiction when writing this. It’s a song about friendship, holding out hope and never giving up on those around you, because it’s never too late to turn it all around.”

Shimmer Boy’s debut album In the Aftermath, We Bloom is a journey through loss, recovery,

and rebirth. Across its tracks, he 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 in the latter half of 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.