The Coronas release ‘That’s Exactly What Love Is’ feat Gabrielle Aplin. It’s the second single to be taken from their eighth studio album, Thoughts & Observations, due in September. Gabrielle Aplin is a friend and collaborator of the band, and they enlisted her to duet with lead singer Danny O’Reilly on ‘That’s Exactly What Love Is’, a beautifully honest and lyrically poignant duet that has echoes of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Don’t Give Up’ with Kate Bush.
Written in Dingle, County Kerry and recorded in Eastcote Studios in London, Thoughts & Observations is a powerful, melodic record which takes an incisive look at life, relationships and art. Although technically a three-piece, with Danny O’Reilly on vocals, piano and guitar, Graham Knox on bass and Conor Egan on drums, the band embraced the talents of their touring supergroup on this album with Lar Kaye (All Tvvins) on guitar, Cian MacSweeney (True Tides) on saxophone and Roisin O on backing vocals.
Produced by Grammy award-winning, long-time collaborator, George Murphy (Mumford and Sons, The Specials, Ellie Goulding) Thoughts & Observations is at times anthemic, at times delicate, but always authentic and full of emotion.
The cover art for Thoughts & Observations is immediately striking. Designer Luke Sean Murphy collaborated with the band and inspired by renowned graphic designer and prop maker Annie Atkins, they decided to utilise a cut-and-paste layered aesthetic with a distinctly 1970s colour palette. This design is carried through all artwork pertaining to the album and singles, giving it a cohesive and instantly recognisable vibe.
In a constantly changing music industry, the Coronas’ longevity is unique and to be celebrated. Their last three albums have gone straight to number 1 in the Irish charts, while their live following has grown exponentially overseas, with recent sold out tours in the US, Canada and Australia a testament to their success. Renowned for being one of the best live acts in the country, the band have been headlining big shows and festivals in Ireland for almost 15 years, and their regular Christmas shows in The Olympia are the stuff of legend.
“Every album we make is with a view to improving our live show,” explains lead singer Danny O’Reilly. “We still feel like we have something to say.”
Live Dates:
Fri. 12 & Sat 13 July MGM Music Hall Fenway, Boston (with The Saw Doctors)
Wed. 17 July Central Park @Summer Stage, New York (with The Saw Doctors)
Fri. 20 July Aragon Ballroom, Chicago (with The Saw Doctors)
Sat. 24 August Galway Summer Sessions, Galway
Thurs. 21 Nov Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
Fri. 22 Nov Selina’s Sydney
Sat. 23 Nov Magnet House, Perth
Sat. 28 Dec INEC, Killarney Kerry