Noelle's Burden

The hint is in the title of this timely seasonal ballad from the popular Dublin four-piece who blend traditional and rock textures with an impressive unselfconsciousness. Not a million miles away from ‘Fairytale of New York’, in theme and atmosphere at least, they mix bouzoukis, accordions and the obligatory Christmas bells with a solid rock rhythm section. The melody is memorable and the chorus is made for a closing time sing-along with frontman Eoghan McNeill telling it straight when he sings the line: “We’ll believe in anything this time of year.”