Track of the Day: Sorcha Richardson - ‘Map Of Manhattan’

The curtain is always peeled back with Sorcha Richardson, whose resonant, honest songwriting has garnered the Irish singer-songwriter a massive audience over a short few years. Her latest single ‘Map of Manhattan’ follows this pattern – the indie-pop track is an exploration of the complexities within relationships, delving into the anxieties and intense emotions that unfold over the course of a single night.

What began as a demo recorded during a tour stop in New York found its way back to Richardson over the summer, in Northern Ireland. "'Map Of Manhattan' began as a quick demo recorded in New York on a day off on tour in March. It came together over a few days in Belfast this summer and it was one of those songs that sort of appeared almost fully formed from the start," shares the Dublin-bred singer.

The instrumentals are bare and atmospheric, with Richardson’s vocals dazed in tone, somewhat hopeless; evocative of how it feels to stand on the ledge of a cliff that is soon to crumble.

Sorcha Richardson by Molly Keane

"It's about second guessing yourself, or someone else, in a relationship, and how the intensities and fears of that relationship play out over a single night. It's sort of about bracing for heartbreak, not because you think it's coming, but because it's the thing you fear the most,” says Richardson. With her newest release, the Irish talent once again takes specific moments and crafts their details into a narrative which traverses relatable emotional landscapes. Desires, doubt, confusion, love and the breaking of it are the themes Richardson uses her experiences with to pen tunes which lend a compassionate hand to her listeners.

Richardson’s sophomore album Smiling Like An Idiot made waves upon its release in 2022. Recorded in her grandparents’ home during the pandemic, the singer’s recent album feels like a handcrafted art project. ‘Map of Manhattan’ builds on that authenticity, with a more advanced production and adventurous sonics. It’s a bright sign of what the artist has to offer in the near future.

The single arrives as the singer-songwriter prepares to make her solo debut at the National Concert Hall on November 29, as part of her Irish & UK tour. Tickets for her Irish shows are available here.

Check out ‘Map of Manhattan,’ the new single from Dublin’s own singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson below!