Track of the Day: LYRA - 'Chess'

After a series of successful shows in 2023, Irish singer LYRA, has officially released her next single ‘Chess,’ the lead single for her upcoming studio album entitled LYRA. She will also be in Dublin on February 24 and March 15 at the 3Olympia Theatre.

Hailing from Cork County in Ireland, LYRA has built a strong fan base both domestically and internationally. Signed to Rubyworks Records, LYRA has achieved great success since starting her music career in 2016.

LYRA started her career in her church's choir, but over time her love of music developed through speech and drama lesson and led her to the career path she now has. She released her first single in April of 2016 entitled 'Rabbit In The Headlights'. LYRA started to gain recognition as her single 'Emerald' was used in show such as Striking Out, Teen Wolf, and The Only Way Is Essex.

In 2023, LYRA performed on the mainstage at Electric Picnic where she started performing ‘Chess.’ The single was produced by UK producers Mark Crew and Danny Priddy. As well as continued working on her debut album.

Yesterday, LYRA posted just before the release of the single and said, "the first single from my debut album LYRA is out on FRIDAY 😆🤩♟️ I’m blown away by all the love I have received since announcing the release and I can’t wait for all these songs to be yours."

Fans have been waiting for the song to be released since LYRAs first tantalising teaser post back in July of 2023 and from when audience members first heard the single at Electric Picnic's mainstage in September 2023.

 

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“My dad taught me how to play chess when I was younger. It was a massive mind game and when I grew up it reminded me about a lot of obstacles I had to get through in order to find out who I am,” LYRA says when speaking about the single.

‘Chess’ grapples with the difficulties of the music industry and navigating her career. However everyone can relate to the message of trying to the message of trying to align ourselves with predetermined paths.

“I was constantly being asked ‘what box do you fit in’ and I really struggled with that,” LYRA said. “We are not built for boxes and life isn’t about ticking off lists. They day I said ‘enough is enough, I’m not your pawn anymore’ is the day I created ‘Chess.’”

To celebrate the release of the single, LYRA will be going on a 22 show tour across Ireland. The tour will start on February 15 at the Theatre Royal in Waterford. The tour will continue to cities such as Cork, Dublin, Galway, Belfast and many more.

The final show will be at the INEC Club in Killarney on March 31. Tickets are now available on LYRA’s website.