Michael D. Higgins to release spoken-word album Against All Certainty

President Michael D. Higgins is set to release his debut spoken-word album Against All Certainty, set for release on September 5 via Claddagh Records.

The record features ten original poems penned by the President, and is underscored by a musical composition from celebrated musician Myles O’Reilly.

O’Reilly is best known for releasing several ambient albums and collaborating with many renowned artists on the Irish music scene, most notably Ronan O’Snodaigh (of Kila).

The album announcement is accompanied by the release of the lead single and title track ‘Against All Certainty’, which you can check out below:

To date, Michael D. Higgins has published four collections of poetry — The Betrayal; The Season of Fire; An Arid Season; and New and Selected Poems. Against All Certainty is the first ever collection of vocal recordings of his works.

The album was recorded in Áras an Uachtaráin, offering an insight into the life and times of the poet, from childhood to adulthood, before he became Ireland’s ninth President.

Sebastian Barry, novelist and Laureate for Irish Fiction, describes this incredibly immersive album: “These are truly prodigious poems by Michael D Higgins — not just a milestone in his own work but in Irish poetry. Readers and listeners will be astonished by their inspired truthfulness and their lovely adroitness of line.

“Because the poet happens to be President of Ireland should not distract from the fact that these poems are written with all the precision and fervour of a free soul, and one that has made no bargain with rectitude or even the meaner sorts of discretion.”

You can pre-order Against All Certainty here.

Find the full tracklist below:

1. 'The Truth of Poetry'
2. 'Brothers'
3. 'Katie’s Song'
4. 'Dark Memories'
5. 'My Mother Married my Father in Mount Melleray in 1937'
6. 'The Death of The Red Cow'
7. 'Against All Certainty'
8. 'The Betrayal'
9. 'The Death of Mary Doyle'
10. 'Stargazer'