Spotlight Artist and Single Review: Roisin O – Heart + Bones

We are finally back with our Spotlight Artists for 2021. For anyone new to this segment: Welcome! To those who are returning to our blog: Welcome Back! After taking a break for January, we decided to kick off our 2021 segment in style with another Homegrown Talent, the spectacular Róisín O. Róisín’s newest single ‘Heart + Bones’ came out on January 22nd and, of course, here at Our Muchness Guide we were dying to review it but, since Róisín is such an incredible talent, we felt she deserved the title of our first Spotlight Artist of 2021. I honestly cannot wait for you all to get lost in my favourite Artist’s music!

Róisín first made it onto our radar back when I saw her live for the first time during her support slot during a Mary Black gig. Anyone who knows my family well will know Mary Black concerts are a family tradition so, naturally Roisin acquired a number of new fans that night! Fast forward to the 2FM XMas Ball in 2017 where Emma and I witnessed the first introduction of Thanks Brother to a live audience. We both enjoyed Róisín’s new music venture as avid readers of our blog will know from a number of Thanks Brother gig reviews in 2019. As 2020 progressed and we entered into 2021, it seems Róisín has come full circle with her music! 

So, who exactly is Róisín O? 

First things first, who is Róisín Ó? Roisin is a singer, songwriter and musician from Dublin. Some people may know her as she comes from a music loving and successful family others, may know her from her own music while more of you may have no idea who she is! Róisín has been on the Irish music scene since 2007 but it is wasn’t until three years later in 2010 when she released her debut EP ‘The Thrills’. 2012 was a busy year for Róisín as in between touring with the likes of Lionel Richie and The Coronas she released a number of singles and her debut album ‘The Secret Life of Blue’. Between 2013 to 2017, she released a number of singles, had a number of TV appearances such as on ‘The Late Late Show’ and travelled the globe on tour joining artists such as Mary Black. 

In 2017, she decided to start a musical project with her partner in crime, John Broe, which resulted in Thanks Brother. If you ever get the chance to hear the story behind the duos name make sure you listen carefully! As stated above, both of us here at Our Muchness Guide were lucky to hear their debut performance as Thanks Brother at the Xmas Ball before countless gig dates followed over the next two years. It is safe to say my number one happy place was at a Thanks Brother gig. Their debut E.P came out in 2018 called E.P 1.

2020 was supposed to be a big year for Róisín and Thanks Brother as they were to embark on an American tour with The Coronas as well as Irish dates for Thanks Brother until COVID hit. There is always a light in the dark and, during lockdown, Róisín was exceptionally busy and creative. She was involved with the ‘Irish Women In Harmony’ project which resulted in two songs being produced. Firstly, a cover of ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries and secondly a Christmas song called ‘All I Want For Christmas’. The women involved in the project all support each other and it is lovely to see women supporting women in the Irish Music Scene. Next came a number of writing sessions while in lockdown in Dingle in Co. Kerry. One of these writing sessions resulted in ‘Heart + Bones’.

Heart + Bones Review

‘Heart + Bones’ is the Róisín Ó ballad that we didn’t know we needed until we got it; it has risen Róisín’s repertoire to a higher standard than it already was. I have always adored Róisín’s music but I’m delighted ‘Heart + Bones’ is getting a lot of recognition. One example of this can be seen from just my closest friend group, all of whom adore the song. We actually agree for once on the words to describe how amazing the song is and that is rare! 

‘Heart + Bones’, in my opinion, is Róisín’s best work to date. The song itself will take you on a journey that many listeners can relate to while Róisín’s voice will transport you to a place where all of the emotions will hit you like a ton of bricks. 

Let’s start at the very beginning of the song. Róisín has stated that this song was born during a writing session with her brother and co-writer Danny O’Reilly while they were trying to write songs for The Coronas. The song quickly identified itself as being a Róisín Ó song and not one for The Coronas. The song was then produced by Philip Maher who has previously worked with the likes of Kodaline and The Script. 

“I’ve tried to sit down and write this song out. Feels like a thousand times. But I was always too scared of what I might find.” 

Róisín has commented that this song was a long time coming and it is her most honest song to date. From the above lyrics, which are the opening lyrics, it really hits home how Róisín is not holding back in this song. ‘Heart + Bones’ is a key example of the aftermath of a relationship; you grow tired of trying to block out things that happen and take the time to get lost within yourself and your inner most thoughts on the relationship to finally find peace. 

There is something truly beautiful about a singer starting their song simple with just their vocals and a piano. ‘Heart + Bones’ starts off soft and simple giving the illusion of a simple confession in song form but don’t let that fool you. As the song continues, it begins to gather momentum and the level of emotional turmoil rises too. The addition of strings, haunting vocalization moments and raw emotion are just some examples of how this song came to be Róisín’s best song to date. 

As for the Music video for ‘Heart + Bones,’ which has been included above, we need to mention a number of things. The wonderful John Broe directed it and my favourite thing about the entire music video is the clever use of lighting and the simplicity of the video that makes it beautiful. This doesn’t take away from the song itself, it adds an additional layer to the storytelling process of the song. Next, we have that breathtaking necklace, I think everyone can appreciate the jewelry choice. Lastly, the scenic shots of Dingle are going to make you miss the Irish coast especially those of us who haven’t seen a beach in months thanks to the Irish Lockdown. 

“Don’t wanna open that wound. Don’t wanna reply that night. Don’t wanna think about you. You are no longer mine” 

Overall, if you haven’t listened to ‘Heart + Bones’ yet, make sure you do. If you have just ended a relationship or think you have suppressed feelings from a past relationship, make sure you have a tissue close. This song is hauntingly beautiful and will stay with you long after the last note. Róisín Ó is honestly one of Ireland’s most hidden gems when it comes to female artists. I’m looking forward to seeing where her music goes from ‘Heart + Bones’ because, something tells me this is just the beginning of an exciting era in Róisín’s music! 

Other Róisín O Music to Date:  

Róisín started releasing music back in 2010 with her debut E.P entitled ‘The Thrills’ if you haven’t heard the earliest songs from Róisín make sure you give this three song E.P a listen as soon as possible! A number of singles followed two years later in 2012 including ‘Here We Go’. Her debut Album entitled ‘The Secret Life of Blue’ quickly followed in 2012. 

Between 2012 to 2017 a number of catchy and emotional singles were released including ‘Turn Off The Silence’, ‘Give It Up’ and ‘Warn Me Of Silence’. Róisín is also known for her covers of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ which received thousands of views online and most recently her cover of Selena Gomez’ ‘Lose You To Love Me’ came out on Spotify last year! 

Top 5 Favourite Róisín O Songs: 

1. ‘Heart + Bones’  2. ‘Give It Up’  3. ‘We Caught It’ (with Thanks Brother). 4. ‘Drifting’  5. ‘Warn Me of Silence’

Most Underrated Róisín O Song? 

The most underrated Róisín O song in my opinion is from her first EP and it’s entitled ‘Drifting’. When chatting to other Róisín Ó fans it rarely comes up unless I bring it up. It’s honestly one of the purest songs from her long list of songs! 

Favourite Róisín O Music Video?  

‘Give It Up’ – I adore the aesthetic of this one. There’s also the fact that it’s my favourite song but, the music video was the primary reason why the song became my favourite song. It showed a different side to Róisín than previous songs and music videos.

Favourite Lyrics? 

“Yeah we got love but is that enough? Thought we’d know better by now.” 

Favourite Gig Memory? 

Although it happened at a Thanks Brother gig, my favourite memory with Róisín to date was at a gig in Galway in 2019. She dedicated my favourite Róisín Ó song to me ‘Give It Up’ after I suggested that it should be on the setlist for that night! Don’t think I have ever been as delighted and embarrassed by an Artist in the same moment!  

Heading into the rest of 2021 and beyond, my number one suggestion for anyone who is a fan of Róisín or is listening to her music for the first time: make sure you make it to a Róisín Ó gig once we are allowed to be at a music event again! Secondly, I urge you to keep an eye out for her next E.P later this year! 

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I just wanted to sum up this entire Spotlight Artist feature as the toughest one I have sat down and written. Róisín Ó is one of the most incredibly talented people and I have had the pleasure of being a part of her crazy journey by supporting her. I like to think I summed her music up as best as I know how but another part of me thinks no one can sum up how incredibly amazing Róisín truly is!

I hope you all take the time to check out her music and if you enjoy what you hear make sure you follow her on her social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/roisinomusic?igshid=1i0oxokzctamo 

Twitter: @RoisinOmusic