Belfast singer Thom Southern has released his new single 'Let Someone Else In' as a teaser to his upcoming album, So Long My Friend. The album is set for release on September 8th, 2023.

A rapid follow-up to his 2022 NI Music Prize-nominated debut Plaza, the single finds the prolific songwriter returning to his lo-fi roots.

So Long My Friend showcases a newfound willingness to be sonically exposed. Thom’s open-hearted writing is placed centre-stage on a single that pares back the production to illuminate a tender lyrical tale. He touches on what it means to find someone who feels like your other half, and just what it can mean to lose them.

"I just thought that idea as a lyric was so nice. The idea of meeting someone who completes you is great," he said.

'Let Someone Else In' artwork. Credit: press

"It’s a heartache song too about the emotional journey of coming out of a long term relationship and the struggle of learning how to move on but I wanted it to be playful, so it has this uplifting positive feeling at the end where it’s all going to be fine. That’s kind of running through all my songs at the moment - kind of like, 'That was shit, but it’s going to be ok. Do yourself a favour and let someone else in.'"

Written with his long-time friend Ben Simon the pair curated the song together, with Simon’s adept skills on acoustic guitar proving to be the lightbulb moment Southern had been seeking to inspire the direction of his new album.

"This track really paved the way for everything else I’ll be releasing this year that focuses more round my vocals and an acoustic guitar," he said. "It’s funny because it’s very similar to the music I used to make as a teenager, it feels like I’ve done a full creative circle at the moment."

The alternative singer-songwriter currently based in Ireland and is now sizing up a select number of festival shows this summer, along with more new music and shows to come later in 2023.