Irish indie-pop/rock outfit modernlove. have shared new single Only Ever Only You, a tune that bursts into full-throttle from the very beginning, with a blur of rapid-fire pop-punk melody and an instantly addictive emo-tinged hook. Both of those genres allow modernlove. to express heartfelt nostalgia so well, with Barry Lally’s vocals telling a tender story of realising – just that bit too late – that the object of your desire isn’t as infatuated as you are.
modernlove.
The band commented, “Only Ever Only You chronicles the breaking down of communication in a relationship. It’s about being in love when it’s too late and trying to communicate with someone who has moved on and simply isn’t there anymore. It’s probably the most sincere and direct we’ve been as a band in a song and the music speaks to that. We’ve taken from our early inspirations and gone straight up pop punk on this track.”
Only Ever Only You was written by modernlove. and produced by the band alongside Tom Leach (Lewis Capaldi, Years & Years). In line with the sonic inspiration of early noughties rock, the accompanying video further showcases the boys in all their energetic angst, mindlessly working their day jobs whilst dreaming of bigger things.
Check out the video for Only Ever Only You below:
The pop-punk stylings of Only Ever Only You continues the band’s open-minded approach to genre, which has already straddled everything from infectious alt-pop to anthemic indie-rock – a blend which will appeal to fans of The 1975, Inhaler and Pale Waves. Yet whatever style modernlove. delve into, they tackle it with an ambition, an obvious accomplishment and an emotional punch that already feels arena bound.
Their passion for music comes from a pure place, too. Back when they first started in their hometown of Drogheda the band wanted to play shows purely for the fun of it and had no option but to set-up their own gigs. Each gig saw more like-minded young music fans in attendance until a local scene emerged, while the band’s grassroots following soon grew exponentially further afield as they began to release their own music, starting with the 2021 EP ‘monochrome blue’.
modernlove.
As well as Only Ever Only You, the group are set to release their first ever vinyl product, the limited edition compilation album So Far on 24th February. The record compiles the band’s first ten tracks and is available to pre-order HERE. They also released a limited edition signed CD which compiles both of their EPs to date, monochrome blue and last year’s Oh My Mind.
modernlove.’s first show of the year came with a high profile set at ESNS. That set the tone for what will follow: a debut North American headline tour in March which is already selling out and also includes SXSW; the subsequent UK headline tour that will follow in April; and a growing festival schedule which so far includes Live at Leeds, Tramlines, Truck Festival and Victorious.
Upcoming UK tour dates:
APRIL
6th – The Portland Arms, Cambridge
7th – The Joiners, Southampton
8th – The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
9th – The Mash House, Edinburgh
11th – The Bullingdon, Oxford
12th – Rough Trade, Nottingham
13th – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
14th – Lafayette, London
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