Formerly a member of the Choice Music Prize-winning band Delorentos, singer and multi-instrumentalist Ro Yourell is diving right into the glittering unknown of solo artistry. His debut single ‘Freedom’ was released last Friday, a bold and uncompromising introduction to the Dublin singer-songwriter.

“It’s my state of the nation address,” says Yourell, wryly, of the single. “Knowingly or otherwise, I’ve always been something of an outsider. Having struggled to fit into and understand the systems within which I grew up, I’m at a place in my life where I can look at them more objectively and better articulate their impact.”

‘Freedom’ is centred around the lack of agency most of us feel in the face of poverty, war, and climate emergency; around how fear can be exploited and vulnerable people turned against each other. It carries a cathartic, acoustic melody, with Yourell singing of the fate we all ultimately face through the lyrics, “Crunching over others’ bones, ‘til all is dust and we are just the same.”

Ro Yourell photographed by Ruth Medjber @ruthlessimagery

The single is accompanied by a music video, which shows Yourell as he takes in the ever-flowing beauty of nature around him, from the sea to the lush forest. Produced by Tommy McLaughlin (Ailbhe Reddy, SOAK, Villagers), Yourell’s new single encapsulates his sound as a newly reformed solo artist, focusing on meditative, poetic lyrics and a driving, in-your-head melody.

Prior to going off on his own, Yourell was part of Delorentos, a band that’s enjoyed massive success in Ireland and internationally. The four-piece played on stages around the world and even earned a RTÉ Choice Music Prize win for their much-loved third album, Little Sparks, released in 2012.

Since last playing as a band in 2019, Yourell has set himself apart as a solo artist, willingly diving into the sweet unknown of his solo journey. Part of bands since he began his music career at sixteen, Yourell admits this new era is somewhat strange. He shares, “I forged an identity as part of a collective, so I had some existential moments along the way asking, ‘Who is Ro?’”

Though a daunting experience, creating his own sound has been a freeing hobby for the singer-songwriter. And ‘Freedom,’ aptly-titled, is just the start.

“An exciting thing for me in terms of my solo work is the scope,” he says. “I don't have to take anyone else into account. I can be selfish, following the song wherever it leads me."

Check out the music video for ‘Freedom,’ the newest single from solo singer-songwriter Ro Yourell, below!