Stream: Participant – Next Year

Taken from his Sampler EP, Dublin’s Stephen Tiernan AKA Participant has unveiled ‘Next Year’.

The EP, which was released exclusively on cassette in March, features five singles on Side A and a collection of samples and field recordings on Side B.

A delicate slice of atmospheric folk, Tiernan’s acoustic guitar and tempered vocals are gradually joined by additional textures, keys and faint strings, giving the track a neo-classical edge with hints of Ólafur Arnalds creeping through.

With candid lyrics confronting themes of complacency, self-worth and commitment, Tiernan said of the track: “‘Next Year’ is a song that for me deals with the idea of stillness, ignoring opportunity or responsibility and so I thought it could be cathartic to finish it and make it the first song on a compilation of my work.”