Orla Gartland - Everybody Needs A Hero 

Following both 2021’s debut full-length ‘Woman On The Internet’ and her work with indie supergroup FIZZ, who released ‘The Secret To Life’ last year, Orla Gartland’s second finds her at her most brash and bold, the record revolving around a clear creative vision. She uses dark humour and angsty cliche to embrace inner turmoil, and it’s the awkward everyday moments that make for the most interesting musical ones: “No woman can be an island, but I can sure as hell try,” she sings on the closing title track. There’s a ‘90s inflection through most of the record, particularly on ‘Backseat Driver’ and ‘Late To The Party’, the latter also featuring a guest spot from Declan McKenna. She veers between guitar anthem overload and folky calm in the likes of ‘Mine’, and alongside the thumping drums and relentless basslines, Orla’s voice is a soaring constant, ‘The Hit’ and ‘Who Am I?’ highlighting her dexterity. Effortlessly jumping between belted choruses and wistful pauses for vulnerability, she orients herself around the conflicting forces of uncertainty and longing.