Every now and again TV talent shows help to take promising musicians to the next level: lo-fi folkster Willis Earl Beal and pop powerhouse Girls Aloud spring to mind. Now, All Ireland Talent Show/Must Be The Music alumnus Daithi steps into the frame – his long-awaited debut In Flight has been three years in the making but it is well worth the wait.
While I’m sure the temptation to rush-release a record in the wake of the Daithi’s TV success must have been huge, the Galway-based songwriter definitely made the right decision to let his music mature. Packed with collaborations with the likes of Young Wonder (‘Ribcage’), Jesse Boykins III (‘Have To Go’) and more, In Flight is immaculately produced: its ultra fresh sounds will likely find favour with those who fell in love with Disclosure’s album but it has its own feel and vibe throughout. The pounding title track in particular, which features some awesome vocals courtesy of Danny from The Coronas, is a mega hit in the making.
Long-time fans will be pleased to know that his trademark electric fiddle is smartly – albeit sparingly – used. Rather than dominating the material, the instrument is deployed superbly to flesh out the songs – as on the excellent ‘Crosshair’. The result? This is a wonderfully clubby record that will soundtrack plenty of nights out over the months ahead. But it also has massive crossover appeal. This boy could be huge.

OUT NOW.