New To Hot Press: Exiles

It’s been a couple of years since synth-pop duo Exiles, comprised of Carlow’s Jack O’Flaherty and Darragh O’Connor, released their debut EP Red Lights – but they haven’t been sitting still. After being featured on many ‘ones to watch’ lists, and having played a packed schedule of gigs and festivals, Exiles returned to the studio last August to record their new single, ‘Rearview Mirror’.

The catchy single is at once invigorating and bittersweet, an ode to a recent break-up that falls into the same thematic vein as Lorde’s ‘Green Light’.

“It’s not solely based on a romantic relationship,” explains O’Connor. “But even with the break-up of a relationship with a friend… You know, things kind of fall apart a little bit. Still, you have to put the relationship behind you. It’s all about moving on and looking to the future.”

The duo were slightly caught off-guard by the success of Red Lights, a project they worked on more for personal gratification than anything else. Big things were expected of the follow-up, but with ‘Rearview Mirror’, it’s apparent that they’re at the top of their game.

“The EP was more ’80s electronic kind of stuff,” says Darragh. “But this track was pretty much written on two acoustic guitars. We found the balance between the guitars and the electronic stuff – it’s worked out nicely.”