Following the release of her debut album Oíche in May 2021, London-based Irish artist Fears has announced her eagerly awaited follow-up, affinity – out on March 22, via her label Tulle.

To coincide with the news, the artist also known as Constance Keane has shared the project's lead single, '4th of the 1st', alongside a self-directed music video.

“It’s about checking in with yourself and reassuring yourself after an experience with someone who denies what you know to be true of your time together," Fears comments.

"I think it’s unfortunately a pretty common thing to have someone tell you how much they’re into you and then decide that they actually never said that when they’ve changed their mind," she continues. "I’ve experienced it a few times anyway, so I wanted to write a song for myself to say 'no you DID actually say that, I didn’t make it up.'"

The album will also include the previously released track '16', which features her late friend, cello player Sophie Gwen Williams. Another track on the LP, '11249', features contributions from Ailbhe Reddy and Jemima Coulter.

The 10 self-produced tracks on affinity are described as a combination of "reflective electronics, acoustic samples, and stirring vocals with organic visuals, blurring the boundaries between music and visual art" – while also drawing on "human connection, intimacy, and
moments of peace in a city".

"I recorded this album in three cities – London, New York, and Dublin, exploring the impact my surroundings have on the work I create," Fears said of affinity, in a social media post shared this morning.

affinity album cover. Photo: Grayce Leonard

In addition to her lauded solo work – which has seen her tipped as one of Hot Press's 'Hot For 2021' Irish acts, and perform at SXSW, Other Voices, Eurosonic and more – Keane is well-known as a member of M(h)aol, who released their acclaimed debut album, Attachment Styles, last year. It was also announced back in October that the band had signed to independent label Merge Records, based in North Carolina – through which they were reissuing their LP in North America.

affinity was written, recorded and produced by Fears – with additional production by Joseph Brown on '16' – and mastered by Huntley Miller. Pre-order the album on standard black vinyl, limited edition pink galaxy vinyl, or as a digital album, here.

Watch the music video for '4th of the 1st', directed by Fears and filmed by Colleen Lee, below: