Exclusive Premiere: Niall McCabe Drops The Second Single From His Debut Solo Album “Valhalla”
Many artists pull musical inspiration from their culture, producing a musical infusion of various artistic elements. One modern example is how the Celtic punk band, Flogging Molly incorporates the fiddle and accordion into their songs, bringing a traditional Irish sound into their work. Similarly, Niall McCabe’s latest single, “Valhalla,” brings a modern twist to Irish traditional and folk music.
“Valhalla” is an upbeat love song inspired by Irish nu-trad group Beoga (featured in Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl”) track of the same name. It starts with a simple acoustic guitar rhythm that is soon joined in by McCabe’s distinct vocals and the accordion (played by Sean Og Graham from Beoga). As the song hits its climax, there is a mix of a soft percussion line and banjo to fill out the song. No matter where the listener is in the world, “Valhalla” creates an atmosphere that seems like it is being played for them live at an Irish pub.
The track contains the rhythm and flow of many traditional Irish songs. “Valhalla” also has lyrics that tell how natural and heavenly forces create obstacles in the realm of love. “Valhalla” contains many shorter verses, except for the first verse, “Wayward, the west wind moves/ Blowing across the sea/ Does it know that/ I’m waiting for the wind/ To blow that girl to me?/ And how high the east wind rides/ High up on the night.” The chorus, “‘Valhalla, Nirvana/ Heaven help me now!,” leads to energetic musical breaks full of infectious beats that make anyone want to dance.
Listen to “Valhalla” below:
Overall, “Valhalla” is the perfect track for folk music fans looking for music that brings a modern twist to traditional musical stylings. Even then, the song’s energy will surely draw in fans of any genre, especially with its infectious beat and descriptive lyrics.
Niall McCabe is an Irish singer-songwriter from Clare Island in Clew Bay of County Mayo, Ireland. He released his first single, “Borders,” in 2019. Since then, McCabe has been touring extensively all over Ireland, Europe, and the United States as a solo artist and accompanied by his band while still dropping new music. In 2022 alone, the artist has dropped three singles, “The Last Chorus,” “Eye and Mind,” and his most recent single, “Stonemason.” Currently, McCabe is preparing to release his debut solo album, Rituals, which features both “Valhalla” and “Stonemason.”
To stay up to date on Niall McCabe and his music, check out his website, as well as follow him on Instagram and Facebook. In the meantime, you can give his last single, “Stonemason,” a listen below:
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