We Speak Music
The All Clear’s Debut Album ‘Harbour Songs’: A Powerful Blend of Life, Love, and Healing
The All Clear emerges from Belfast with their debut album Harbour Songs, a poignant and powerful statement by frontman Joe O’Sullivan. As both a seasoned musician and a consultant oncologist, Joe brings a unique perspective to his songwriting, blending personal turmoil and professional experiences into a sound that is as reflective as it is emotive.
The band, which features Joe Craig on bass, Ali Donnelly on drums, and Oisín O’Sullivan on backing vocals, creates a sonic landscape that complements the introspective and deeply personal nature of Joe’s lyrics. Recorded at Start Together Studios and produced by Rocky O’Reilly, Harbour Songs is an album rooted in life’s most profound moments—both the personal, such as the end of a marriage and new beginnings, and the professional, symbolized by the life-altering news that patients long to hear: “The All Clear.”
From the opening track, the album takes listeners on an emotional journey. Songs like “I Won’t Be The Only One” are tinged with melancholy, while tracks like “In The Dark” offer glimmers of hope and renewal. Joe’s lyrical approach is raw and authentic, painting vivid pictures of love, loss, and healing, all within the context of his experiences as a doctor and musician. This depth is reflected in the soundscapes, which range from delicate, folk-inspired melodies to more intense, indie rock anthems.
The production, under O’Reilly’s skilled guidance, strikes a perfect balance between intimacy and grandeur. The use of atmospheric guitars, understated yet powerful drum patterns, and Oisín’s harmonies brings warmth and resonance to the album’s heavier themes. Joe’s voice, weathered by both experience and passion, carries the weight of the album’s narrative, from the quiet vulnerability of “Show Me Your Love” to the defiant strength in “I’m Not Sugarcoated”.
Harbour Songs, is not just an album; it’s a meditation on life’s complexities. Its themes of heartbreak, resilience, and renewal resonate universally, making it a standout in today’s indie music landscape. The All Clear has created an evocative debut that speaks to both the mind and the heart.
With live performances planned across Northern Ireland, The All Clear is sure to leave a lasting impact on listeners, much like the enduring message their name embodies—hope, survival, and clarity after the storm. Harbour Songs is a deeply human and highly relatable debut, available now on all streaming platforms.
London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.
Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’
‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.
Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.
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