Dublin songwriter David Balfe has already caught the hearts and minds of many with the early singles from his For Those I Love project, which vividly traces the trials and tribulations of his tough recent years, including the loss of his best friend and former bandmate Paul Curran. Today he reveals that the self-titled debut album is coming out on March 26 and shares a new song called “Birthday / The Pain”. He says:
“I was six when I first encountered the fallout of a violent death. It’s such a haunting burden at that age, and still is. “Birthday / The Pain” recalls that moment, the desperation of trying to make sense of it as a child, and what it’d mean for me growing up against that backdrop.”
Something of a bamboozling track, “Birthday / The Pain” bounds forward on party melodies and samples that immediately recall the vibrant work of The Avalanches. However, once Balfe’s distinctive brogue comes in, he cuts straight to the visceral: “Body dumped on me road when I was six / Stabbed to death and left on bricks.” Vividly recalling the shell shock of the event and the weeks after as friends badgered him about what happened, the joy of the opening feels like a hollow echo. But then, masterfully, Balfe re-adjusts the perspective and everything locks into place: he turns thankful for the life he has, the friends that he has, the good and bad times that have got him to where he is now. “All of us dancing like there’s no one left in the world but us / and these days it feels like there isn’t / there’s no way to put that loss into words / but we’ll wrap our arms around shoulders and scream love from our lungs… I’ll hold on a little tighter to the love of my mates, forever and day” – and then when the bouncing, elated hook hits again, it makes perfect, euphoric sense.
The video, by Sam Davis, traces a similar path through hazy memories and grey days. Watch it below.
For Those I Love comes out on March 26 through September Recordings. You can find For Those I Love on Instagram.
