In the year-and-a-half since he first came crashing onto the Hot Press radar, Jack Dora has firmly established himself as one of the country's most fearlessly eclectic and boundary-pushing indie-pop artists, with a DIY sound that's increasingly poised to attract serious mainstream attention. Now, following a string of well-received singles, and a coveted spot on Hot Press's 'Hot For 2022' list, he's set to unveil his debut EP, Take What You've Been Given, this Friday – and in the run-up to the release, we're proud to premiere one of the project's stand-out tracks, 'Johnny & Suzie'.

“It’s the focal point of the EP both in a sonic and narrative sense," Sligo-born artist explains. "It’s about the inner struggle you have your whole life trying to escape from the toxic masculine small town mentality you grew up with. It’s about trying to purge the male ego. So I used this story of Johnny and Suzie as a metaphor for that struggle. I thought it would be a good way of exploring the dualities of femininity and masculinity in the frame of an Americana, Springsteen-esque narrative. With the final track, it’s supposed to feel like you’re Suzie and she’s driving with the top down and the sun is rising and she’s beaten something.”

In addition to the nods to Springsteen, Jack continues to incorporate an urgent, contemporary pulse into his retro vision. As he delves into elements of synth-pop, new wave, post-punk and classic rock, the tracks on Take What You've Been Given  find him swaying between thrilling, cinematic storytelling and surprisingly emotional ruminations on the state of the world – all delivered with an abundance of heart and irresistible energy.

As he rapidly gains traction on the London scene, it's clear that this is an artist who has all the potential to be arena-packing massive. Stayed tuned for further gigs news – including a Dublin show.

The EP was written, recorded and produced by Jack in his bedroom in Dublin, over the course of the pandemic. It was mixed by acclaimed Irish musician Yenkee of Softboy Records and Jack Roulston, and was mastered by Fergal Davis (Muse, Republic of Loose, Sinead O' Connor).

Ahead of the EP's official release on streaming services this Friday, listen to 'Johnny & Suzie' below: