Fast-rising Irish talent Nell Mescal has unveiled her new single 'Punchline' today via LAB Records.

The Kildare native describes the metaphor of a punchline as the ending of a relationship (romantic, platonic or otherwise) ahead of its time on the indie-pop track, which builds textures beautifully.

Edges of guitar riffs that infuse rock into the pop melodies add a warm feeling to the sonics, while her crystal clear vocals express Nell's usual vivid and vulnerable lyrics.

"I remember the walls turning grey, I remember it all / What my family said, when describing the fall / I remember the look on your face, the excuses you made / They were your friends, too / I remember that call / And I wish you were less predictable, God that was unoriginal / You hurt me like they did / No, someone had to draw the line, but you called us off ahead of time / You can say it, 'cause it's true," Mescal sings on the opening verse.

‘Punchline’, Mescal's fourth release, comes off the back of a whirlwind month which saw Nell support P!NK at Hyde Park, Florence & The Machine across Ireland as well as performing to stadium sized audiences with Dermott Kennedy.

“I wrote punchline in my bedroom last year about a friendship ending before it needed to and the heartbreak that comes with it,” explains Nell. “It’s about trying to ‘win’ the friendship breakup by pretending it doesn’t hurt you that much, but still having that sick feeling you get in your stomach because you miss the other person”.

Slots at the likes of Latitude Festival, All Point East, Kendall Calling and shows with The Last Dinner Party are all to follow, before Nell and her band head back on tour for her newly announced headline run across the UK & Ireland this Autumn.

With only a clutch of releases so far, Nell’s rise has been formidable, drawing on her childhood, relationships, Irish roots and her family as big inspirations for her songwriting. Her releases so far have received a groundswell of support for the 20 year old. Nell has also been tipped as one to watch this year by The Times, NME, Rolling Stone, Dork Magazine, Gigwise, Hot Press and The Irish Times.

Tickets for her 12-date tour are on general sale from today here and all shows listed below.

2023 LIVE DATES

July
08 Limerick Thomond Park *
13 Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle *
13 Scarborough Scarborough Open Air *
20 Birmingham Hare & Hounds #
22 Latitude Festival
27 Leeds Headrow House #
28 Manchester The Deaf Institute #
30 Kendal Calling Cumbria

August
05 Cork INDIE23
13 Boardmasters Festival Newquay
28 All Points East London

September
01 Electric Picnic Stradbally

* - supporting Dermot Kennedy
# - supporting The Last Dinner Party

*NEW HEADLINE DATES*

October
12 Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s
14 Live At Leeds In The City
15 Birmingham Hare & Hounds
16 Manchester Deaf Institute
17 Nottingham Bodega
19 Liverpool Leaf
24 Brighton Komedia Studio
25 London Lower Third
26 Bristol Rough Trade

December
11 Belfast Voodoo
13 Dublin Whelan’s
14 Galway Roisin Dubh
15 Cork Cyprus Avenue