Portlaoise-raised artist Kean Kavanagh has returned today with a brand new lofi indie cut, titled 'Mary'.

It marks a triumphant re-introduction to one of Ireland’s most adorned talents, following last year’s ‘Summer Nights’ and ‘Heart Attacks’. With warped, edgy vocals atop of percussion, catchy guitar riffs and swirling instrumental embellishments, it's an all-consuming, textured offering from one of our best exports.

‘Mary’ is another character-led song set in rural Ireland, inspired by celebrated Irish author John B Keane. Led by punchy bass, haunting guitars and Kean’s distinctive vocals, 'Mary' is a testament to Kean’s vocal and songwriting abilities.

The track also seamlessly offers a further glimpse into his semi-fictional, world building style of writing.

“I think I’d been reading ‘The Bodhrán Makers' by John B Keane at the time that me and Paddy Ormond wrote the instrumental for this track," Kean recalls. "The character in this song is similar to those characters; life is tough and music provides peace and relief from those wounds which we must suffer; having someone to embrace on a cold night is even more beautiful still.”

Kean Kavanaghat All Together Now 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Co-founder, producer and A&R of Irish Label Soft Boy Records, and a story-teller with a strong imagination, Kean has set out his stall as both a singer-songwriter and world creator with the release of his acclaimed 2020 project Dog Person.

Founded in 2015, Soft Boy Records morphed into a cultural behemoth that gripped the Irish music scene and never let go - alongside his co-founder Kojaque, Kean found himself sharing stages with names such as Slowthai and Lana Del Ray, as well as his consequential solo-slots opening for Maverick Sabre and Vampire Weekend, as well as starring in a Boiler Room documentary about the label and collective.

In 2020, Kean appeared on the Everything is Recorded project FRIDAY FOREVER, (curated by Richard Russell of XL Recordings) alongside Aitch, Flohio, Maria Somerville, Ghostface Killah and others, and aligning himself with a tastemaker and hotly tipped selection of musical peers.

Currently settled in London, Kean’s career is set to project far beyond his Irish roots following credits on Kojaque's epic Town's Dead album.

He's currently set to perform in Glasgow on May 6th for The Road to The Great Escape, followed by a (sort of) homecoming in Dublin on May 9th for the same festival. He's a proud Laois native, though.

Listen to 'Mary' below.