When Youth Fades Away

Somebody’s Child starts 2025 on a high note with the release of ‘Last Night I Held Your Hand‘, the second single from their forthcoming album ‘When Youth Fades Away’.

The Dublin-based band, led by frontman Cian Godfrey, builds on the momentum of their breakout track ‘Time of My Life‘, delivering a deeply emotive anthem that captures the bittersweet essence of growing older.

‘Last Night I Held Your Hand‘ is a poignant reflection on the passing of youth and the redemptive power of love, marked by lyrics like, “And I thought my youth was over / Now I’d die for you / Now I feel myself get older / But not when I’m with you.” Musically, the track strikes a balance between Somebody’s Child‘s trademark euphoric choruses and a subtle Americana swagger, offering fans a heartfelt taste of the sonic evolution underpinning their new album.

Godfrey revealed that this single was pivotal in shaping the album’s direction, conceived during a transformative writing session in Western Wales.

“It carries a sense of innocence from earlier releases, yet breathes new life into the direction this album has taken,” he explains.

The result is a track that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking, setting the tone for ‘When Youth Fades Away’ as a record that explores the passage of time with newfound clarity and emotional depth.

Following their self-titled debut in 2023, Somebody’s Child has grown from promising newcomers to a force on the indie rock scene. Their live performances have captivated audiences, from opening for The War on Drugs, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon at BST Hyde Park, to headlining Dublin’s iconic 3Olympia Theatre and gracing the main stage at Electric Picnic. A sold-out, intimate performance at London’s Sebright Arms in late 2024 provided a glimpse of what’s to come with their latest material, leaving fans eager for more.

‘When Youth Fades Away’, recorded with Grammy-winning producer Peter Katis (known for his work with The National and Interpol), marks a significant leap in the band’s artistry. Godfrey describes it as a thematic and musical evolution, a reflection on staying grounded and embracing life’s complexities rather than running from them. Tracks like the synth-driven title song and the introspective ‘Irish Goodbye’ highlight the album’s diverse palette, while nods to influences like Kraftwerk and Leonard Cohen hint at a band unafraid to push boundaries.

Godfrey sums up the album’s overarching theme with a metaphor:

“It’s like going back to your parents’ house and noticing something you haven’t seen in years. Now, as an adult, it has a different significance—a value highlighted by time.”

This thoughtful perspective resonates throughout the album, cementing ‘When Youth Fades Away’ as a pivotal moment in the band’s journey.

With its soaring melodies and reflective lyrics, ‘Last Night I Held Your Hand‘ solidifies Somebody’s Child‘s reputation as a band capable of combining heartfelt storytelling with arena-sized ambition. As anticipation builds for the album’s release, it’s clear that ‘When Youth Fades Away’ is poised to make 2025 another landmark year for this rising indie rock powerhouse.