Track of the Day: Rachel Mae Hannon - 'Breathe'

Soulful vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Rachel Mae Hannon has dropped her captivating electro pop/ neo-soul tune 'Breathe', ahead of her headline show at The Workman's Club on October 1.

The soulful track follows her single 'Work It Out', which was released earlier this year, accompanied by a visually striking music video.

"I used to see a future now I’m unsure, I think you scarred me I don’t know what for," the self-proclaimed overthinker opens up on her latest release, which was inspired by anxieties surrounding a relationship and lockdown restrictions. It is a slow and meditative song, brought to life by Hannon's low range of vocals and eloquent use of harmonies as well as instrumentation, which give the single a distinctive soul pop sound.

"It's about taking a moment to step back and managing anxieties towards the end of a frustrating relationship I had," Hannon explained. "The claustrophobic feel of my room, the lockdown restrictions, and my sentiments towards the relationship itself all inspired the lyrics."

'Breathe' is out today, September 23. Credit: Guy Boggan.

Originally from Monaghan, Hannon recorded the powerful single, a collaboration with Cork producer Cian Sweeney aka 1000 Beasts, in her Dublin bedroom during the first lockdown of the pandemic.

Mental struggles can easily turn into a physical thing, and it was thus through her breathing that she realised she was going through a period of stress and anxiety. "When he [Cian] first sent me the instrumental, the main vocal hook ‘Breathe Deep’ naturally came out," the singer said. "I would take shorter breaths when I was feeling a bit anxious. 'Breathe' is all about breathing deep, letting go and just trying to look after your mental health."

The painfully honest song repeats the words "Breathe Deep", actually replicating the motion of breathing.

 

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Following a number of festival performances at Sea Sessions 2022, Kaleidoscope 2022, Indiependence 2022, Electric Picnic 2022 and We’ve Only Just Begun 2022, Hannon is gearing up to play her headline show at The Workman's Club on October 1, 2022, with special guests Dublin four-piece indie band Still Blue.

"It's two days before my birthday, so I'm seeing Workman's as my birthday party," she laughed. "You're all invited."

Rachel Mae Hannon has also supported HAIM at the Trinity Summer Series, Tom Odell in The 3Olympia, and Eloise in The Sugar Club during the summer, and recently dueted with Danny O’Reilly from The Coronas as part of RTÉ’s The Main Stage, Unseen Songs.

Get tickets for Rachel Mae Hannon at The Workman's Club on October 1, 2022, at 8pm here.

Listen to 'Breathe' below.