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Niall O’Connor Unveils Vulnerable Debut with ‘Live Without You’

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Niall O’Connor’s debut single “Live Without You” arrives with the emotional clarity of an artist who has spent years honing his craft off-mic. Built around tender piano chords and a vocal that moves between whisper-soft vulnerability and full-bodied catharsis, the track sits comfortably within the lineage of modern UK emotive pop. O’Connor’s tone feels lived-in, slightly raw at the edges, and deeply expressive—a combination that gives the song its immediate pull.

The production is subtly radiant, expanding from intimate verses into a soaring chorus that feels engineered to sweep you into its emotional gravity. There’s a cinematic quality to the arrangement, but it never tips into excess; instead, it maintains a delicate equilibrium between restraint and emotional release. The fingerprints of his seasoned collaborators are there, but O’Connor’s voice remains the true anchor.

What makes “Live Without You” impactful is the sincerity behind every line. It’s the kind of debut that suggests an artist already sure of his emotional palette, ready to translate his experiences into something universal. With an international reach forming organically and momentum behind him, O’Connor enters 2025 with the aura of an artist preparing for a long ascent.

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Flesh and steel collide on new Dead Chic track “The Bells and The Fists”.

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With images captured during one of their recent live performances, director Pablo Delpedro sought to highlight the intensity that is so characteristic of Dead Chic. The release of the band’s new single “The Bells and The Fists” was the perfect opportunity to illustrate this: a strange, shadowy track where flesh and steel collide, the soundtrack to a pagan ceremony unfolding somewhere deep in the bowels of the earth.

The video immerses us in the world of the four band members. Through their looks, their movements, their chaos and fury, we find ourselves at the heart of the storm, in the thick, sweaty atmosphere that turns each of their concerts into a dark and intense ritual.

Dead Chic originally formed from the partnership between Andy Balcon and Damien Félix. They met a few years ago while touring with their respective bands (Heymooshaker and Catfish), frequently crossing paths on the road and catching up backstage to discuss music, idols, and the possibility of collaborating. After a few years without crossing paths, they reconnected in the fall of 2020. Before discussing musical influences, Andy and Damien shared visual references, illustrations, and landscapes that would form the foundation and direction of their work. The idea of working together then took a serious turn, and after some exchanges, “Too Far Gone,” their first track, was released in 2022.

They were then joined by Rémi Ferbus on drums (known for his work with Kimberose, Mélissa Laveaux, among others), who had previously collaborated with Andy; and Mathis Akenginon keyboards, a long-time collaborator of Damien in Catfish. Over the years, through tours and travels, the musicians have honed their skills, enriched their cultural knowledge, and defined their individual styles. The combination of the four immediately sparked.

Dead Chic’s debut album ‘Serenades and Damnation’ is out now via Upton Park. “The Bells and The Fists” is something new that is a taster of where Dead Chic are headed for 2026.

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