Somebody’s Child - ‘Last Night I Held Your Hand’
As the world steps into 2025, Irish indie-rock powerhouse Somebody’s Child is leading the charge with their latest single, ‘Last Night I Held Your Hand’. This poignant, euphoric ballad serves as the second release from their highly anticipated sophomore album, When Youth Fades Away, and sets a striking tone for the year ahead. Following the breakout success of their self-titled debut album in 2023, the band has taken their already dynamic sound to stunning new heights, blending raw emotion with sweeping Americana influences.
Opening with soft, melancholic guitar strings, 'Last Night I Held Your Hand' quickly evolves into a soaring anthem that beautifully balances intimacy and grandeur. The track explores themes of ageing and the bittersweet beauty of deep emotional connection. Lyrics like, “Now I feel myself get older / But not when I’m with you,” resonate with universal longing, while the Americana-inflected melody nods to the likes of Bruce Springsteen and The War on Drugs.
Frontman Cian Godfrey explains the track’s origins as a turning point for the album. Written during a reflective trip to Western Wales, it became the foundation for the sonic and thematic vision of, When Youth Fades Away. “It carries a sense of innocence from earlier releases,” Godfrey says, “yet breathes new life into the direction this album has taken.”
Produced by Grammy-winning maestro Peter Katis (The National, Frightened Rabbit), When Youth Fades Away, marks a bold evolution for Somebody’s Child. While their debut album brimmed with youthful restlessness and escapism, this new record is a meditation on stillness, maturity, and nostalgia. Godfrey’s lyricism finds itself steeped in the introspection of growing older, offering listeners a narrative as deeply personal as it is universally relatable.
The forthcoming album musically experiments beyond the band’s indie-rock foundation, incorporating textured synths, expansive instrumentation, and atmospheric production. Tracks like the synth-driven title song and the stripped-back vulnerability of ‘Irish Goodbye’ demonstrate a fearless exploration of new creative territory. Additional contributions from Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), a member of The Gloaming, add richness and depth to the record’s sonic palette.
Since their debut, Somebody’s Child has proven themselves a force to be reckoned with on stage and in the studio. Following high-profile performances supporting Kings of Leon, The War on Drugs, and Bloc Party, the band headlined major venues, including Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre and the main stage of Electric Picnic. Their end-of-2024 sold-out show at London’s Sebright Arms offered fans an intimate preview of what, When Youth Fades Away, would deliver—a transcendent sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly ambitious.
Godfrey likens the album’s themes to rediscovering the past through a new lens. “It’s about noticing the details you missed before and recognising their significance now that you’ve grown,” he explains. This layered perspective is central to the album, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys while revelling in Somebody’s Child’s lush, cinematic soundscape.
When Youth Fades Away, promises to solidify Somebody’s Child’s place as one of the most exciting voices in modern rock. With their sights set firmly on the future while keeping one foot rooted in the timeless appeal of their influences, the band’s sophomore effort feels poised to leave an indelible mark.
‘Last Night I Held Your Hand’ serves as the perfect introduction to this next chapter—an emotional, soaring ballad that captures the weight of time and the power of love with stunning clarity. As Somebody’s Child embarks on this new phase, they invite listeners to reflect, reconnect, and ultimately revel in the beauty of change.
Words by Danielle Holian
