Helen O'Shea announces Sinéad O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan tribute album Songs in the Key of O

Limerick-born musician Helen O'Shea has announced her upcoming tribute album Songs in the Key of O, an homage to Sineád O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan, set to be released on May 1.

"Sinéad O'Connor is an Irish music icon, and an even bigger inspiration to thousands of Irish women," said O'Shea. "Sinéad helped to redefine what it meant to be a woman in Ireland. Strong, bold, fearless and passionate - she was a true inspiration, pushing the boundaries of Irish womanhood and Irish music.

"Dolores O'Riordan was a star who burned brightly for a tragically short time," added O'Shea. "She brought so much beauty to the hometown she shared with me through her singing and her songwriting and she represented Limerick so well all over the world and the world lost her way too soon."

Honouring the two late Irish musicians, Songs in the Key of O includes both tribute covers as well as original tracks composed by O'Shea and two-time Grammy Award-winning producer Marc Swersky.

Elsewhere, the album features several collaborators, including Rob Clores, Brad Butcher, Michelle Moore, The Carlile Family band, Aaron Comess, Hothouse Flowers' Liam Ó Maonlaí, and more.

Last week, O'Shea released a track from the album, a cover featuring James Maddock, of Sineád O'Connor's song ‘If U Ever’. The cover highlights the New Jersey-based artist's signature AmeriCeltiCana style, combining Americana influences with a Celtic twist.

Listen to ‘If U Ever’ below: