Ireland’s music scene has been flourishing recently, producing a wealth of exceptional talent like Orla Gartland, Post-Punk Podge, Lankum, Junior Brother, and Junk Drawer. While some acts bask in international acclaim, others, like Silverbacks, remain criminally underappreciated despite being equally, if not more, deserving. Known for their relentless output, Silverbacks have released almost an album a year for the past four years, each one a vibrant mix of fuzzy indie rock that’s as captivating as it is fun. Their latest, Easy Being a Winner, is no exception.
Despite the band members now being scattered across different parts of Ireland and beyond, their sound remains remarkably cohesive. The band themselves put this increased cohesion down to the addition of bassist Paul Leamy, which freed co-vocalist Emma Hanlon to focus on her strengths: delivering standout vocals that skillfully threads the needle between Kim Deal and Rachel Goswell. The vocal interplay between Hanlon and Daniel O’Kelly is one of the band’s defining and most impressive assets. Tracks like ‘Billion Star Night Light’ and ‘Spinning Jenny’ exemplify this dynamic perfectly. The former uses the dual vocals to infuse the song with an energy reminiscent of SST-era Sonic Youth. While the latter, plays with Hanlon’s more ethereal attributes to create something that sounds like Elizabeth Fraser singing backing vocals on a PiL disco track, making for a truly stunning result.
Leamy’s bass lines are another standout on the album, particularly on the delightful ‘Something I Know,’ where his bass takes center-stage. As the track rises and falls, moving through various directions, Leamy anchors the song with a playful, slinky bassline that holds everything together with precision and charm.
One of the album’s high points, ‘Flex,’ is a different kind of beast altogether. It’s a genre-defying track that keeps the listener on edge, full of unpredictable twists and turns. The song’s wobbly waltz timing is the only constant as the band throws a dozen ideas at the wall—each one fresh and inventive, yet discarded as quickly as it’s introduced. It’s a testament to their songwriting skill that they can create such a rich, dynamic experience with such ease. This approach reflects the entire album: difficult to categorize but effortlessly enjoyable. Easy Being a Winner is an indie record in the purest sense—crafted by a band intent on following their own creative instincts, unconstrained by trends or expectations, and dedicated to making some truly great music. Will Cagney-Murphy
Easy Being a Winner is released on 18th October. Pre-order it here
