Culture
25 May 22

Sorcha Richardson releases beautiful indie-folk ballad, 'Archie,' plus video

'Archie' is Sorcha Richardson's second release of the year, after a cover of Johnny Nash's 'I Can See Clearly Now.'

Dublin singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson has returned with a beautiful, anthemic indie-folk ballad — a new single called 'Archie,' plus video.

Featuring Richardson's gentle, soaring vocals, 'Archie' marries the soft sounds of folk with electric guitar and heavy drums — crescendoing from a simple, bluesy ballad into a complex web of moving sounds. The instrumentals move in step with her lyricism, rising in intensity as Richardson's voice grows increasingly desperate — turning from a simple conversation into a plea for connectivity.

Written to reflect the feeling of losing touch with teenage friendships, times erosion of nativity and how a simple love of music can change one's life, 'Archie' is ultimately a coming-of-age tale. The video, which was released with the song, chronicles this; depicting two friends in the dusky twilight, sitting in the tucked away spots they used to haunt as teenagers. Featuring cinematic, sweeping shots of the countryside, the visuals perfectly support the tone of the track.

"Archie is a song about teenage hopes and dreams and about losing touch with the people who you once shared them with. I wrote the earliest version of it at a writing camp in the Spring of 2021 with some of my favourite Irish songwriters," said Richardson about the song. "It was the one song from the camp that I kept coming back to but I would have left it off the album if not for Alex Casnoff’s influence. He was a real guiding light with this one."

'Archie' is the singer's second release of the year, after a cover of Johnny Nash's 'I Can See Clearly Now' — which was recorded for the opening sequence of upcoming Irish comedy-drama, The Dry. Right of the back of supporting Villagers on their European tour, Richardson is set to play the All Together Now festival in July, as well as Electric Picnic this fall.

"It’s quickly become my favourite song to play live. As lame as it sounds, It makes me feel like I’m living out my teenage dreams when we play it. I think that’s one of the greatest feelings you can have," she said about 'Archie.'

First Prize Bravery, the musician's 2019 debut album, was released to critical acclaim. Written about her experiences throughout young adulthood, the album would lead to a tour around UK and Ireland, and a Choice Music Prize nomination.

Check out the video for 'Archie,' below: