We Speak Music
EUGENE MCGUINNESS drops swirling epic ‘Icarus’ ahead of new album
“Increasingly extolled for his knack for melody and lyrically street-savvy ways”- The Line Of Best Fit
“A nimble lyricist and a cheerfully wordy raconteur of contemporary nightlife”- The Guardian
“From Liverpool you get the hooks and melodies, London you get the razor sharp outlook and from Ireland comes the wistful smoky romanticism”- Drowned In Sound
“Absolutely beautiful’”– John Kennedy, Radio X
Eugene McGuinness had accepted his career in music was over. The end of his deal with Domino Records, followed by a difficult self-released album, fatherhood, and just life generally, saw his personal dreams and ambitions slowly slip towards the horizon. A period of great change, McGuinness had embraced his new work and family life, happy to leave the ugliness of the ‘music biz’ behind him. However, the absence of making music – and the joy the process brings – left a noticeable hole.
A decade on from Domino, an evolved McGuinness is back. His brand-new album, ‘Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe’, will be released in April 2026, following the release of his affecting comeback single ‘Seascape’ and follow up track, the beautiful widescreen romance of ‘London’.
The album was recorded at Liverpool’s Docklands Speed Shop with friend and producer Gajo Paco. Encouraging spontaneity, Eugene, Gajo and a host of old friends and acquaintances were ‘feeling it out’ along the way, trusting the process and welcoming a series of ‘happy accidents’ to contribute to the record’s warm and organic sound.
Of Irish heritage, the idiosyncratic McGuinness began crafting songs in his teens and gained recognition with debut EP ‘The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness’ – released in 2007. His self-titled debut album was released in 2008 on Domino Records followed by ‘Glue’ (2009, as ‘Eugene and The Lizards’), ‘The Invitation to the Voyage’ in 2012 and ‘Chroma’ (2014). ‘Suburban Gothic’ (2018) was released independently and marked his departure from Domino Records.
‘Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe’ picks up where ‘The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness’’, left off. A return to playfulness, rawness, and mysterious off-kilter pop from a more mature Eugene McGuinness, the album is another fine addition to McGuinness’ discography and reflects his evolution as an artist – unafraid to experiment and never playing to the gallery, following a tradition of songwriters – Bob Dylan, Shane MacGowan, Randy Newman, Rufus Wainwright – with voices and interior universes that are all their own.
Eclectic, personal, experimental and collaborative and flaunting McGuinness’ compelling gift for melody, the new LP spans a range of styles, from the intimate atmospheres of ‘Drag’, to the Gospel-infused ‘There’s Always Next Time’. The next single to be lifted from the record, ‘Icarus’, features McGuinness’ trademark wry lyrical flair with lush vocal harmonies, a bevy of vintage guitars and sweeping strings coalescing into a swirling epic, which sees McGuinness correlating his life to the legend of Icarus flying too close to the sun.
‘Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe’, which is being released via Docklands Speed Shop’s label and fellow Liverpool based outfit Mellowtone Records, sees McGuinness coming full circle in many ways. The very day he signed his first record deal with Domino, McGuinness was booked to play a show for Dave McTague’s Mellowtone Records in a tiny café in Liverpool. The two Docklands Speed Shop founders Gajo Paco & Charlie Mullan were in attendance at the show that night. In addition, they were members of the legendary Derry/Liverpool band The Prelude – a band who also played Mellowtone shows and shared the stage with McGuinness on many occasions. A testament to the tight knit scene and ‘village’ mentality of Liverpool’s music community, ‘Eugene McGuinness Verses the Universe’ is the result of long-lasting friendships cemented together by the mutual need for creativity and collaboration.
Eugene McGuinness will launch the new album with a special live performance / signing at Rough Trade, Liverpool on 21st March 2026. Get tickets here: https://shorturl.at/GviYy
& Culturlann Ui Chanain, Derry, on 28th March 2026. Tickets: https://shorturl.at/fIUWk
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
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