Ailbhe Reddy examines self-worth in playful new video for 'A Mess'

Dublin singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy is back with her second single of the year in the form of indie-rock pop tune 'A Mess'.

Out today via independent label MNRK, the tongue-in-cheek video which accompanies the infectious track was directed by CLTV's Georgia Kelly.

The renowned Irish production company have been responsible for videos by the likes of Fontaines D.C., Denise Chaila, Pillow Queens, Inhaler and more.

Opening up with an underwater animation before the camera focuses on Reddy fishing by herself, the lyrics dive into feelings of low self-esteem and blame despite the fun visuals.

"My touch is too cold, my temp is too high; I am always, never enough," she croons, kitted out in a yellow waterproof fishing jacket.

She later swaps the fishing for med school, jumping into a doctor's coat before trying to find her lover's pulse (and failing). Dressing for a dinner with her lover, no amount of colourful balloon shapes and stir fry cooking will impress her partner unfortunately.

Opening with a resounding and joyous holler, ‘A Mess’ is a whirlwind that effortlessly straddles the line between indie-rock and pop. A fuzzy-but-driving guitar line and insistent drums eventually give way to a choir of voices, with Ailbhe’s front and centre.

“‘A Mess’ is about not feeling good enough in a relationship and examining old patterns and habits," Ailbhe Reddy explains. "It’s about feeling fed up of going around in circles, while focusing on a throw away comment that ‘no wonder it was such a mess’.”

“The video was directed by Georgia Kelly of CLTV,” Ailbhe adds. “I wanted to keep the playfulness of the music alive in the video and make sure it was tongue and cheek rather than very serious. Georgia came up with a few scenarios that were funny representations of feeling ‘not good enough’ and giving up.”

Check out the new video for 'A Mess' below.

Reddy's 2020 debut album Personal History was shortlisted for the Choice Music Prize album of the year award. Since then, she moved to London and signed a record deal with major indie label, MNRK.

Well-known for portraying emotional honesty and vulnerability with an uplifting twist, the music of Ailbhe Reddy will appeal to fans of Julia Jacklin and Phoebe Bridgers to Tori Amos and Aimee Mann.

The Dubliner hopped on a track with Irish electronic artist Daithí last week, lending her soft, soaring vocals to 'Sunset'. The musician is also raising funds for Red Cross Ukraine with a Workman's show celebrating two decades of Avril Lavigne's groundbreaking debut album Let Go.

Taking place on June 30th from 8pm in the Main Room, tickets are now on sale for the special event. The likes of SOAK, Pillow Queens, Sorcha Richardson and more will accompany Reddy on stage.

LIVE DATES

Visions Festival, London, UK | Fri 22nd July
Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK | Sun 24th July
All Together Now, Waterford, IE | Sat 30th July