Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

ARREN – Rising Sun (2025)

Since our discovery of singer-songwriter ARREN in 2024, the Irish artist quickly won our hearts with this genre-bending, time-travelling walk across various shades and eras of rock music. With his blending of iconic 90s and 2000s alternative-rock anthems, ARREN has leaned toward the sounds of Radiohead and Oasis, with U2 and Weezer bringing up the rear; however, at all times, maintains originality and authenticity that is entirely his own. So, ARREN may have carved a memorable etch into our playlists, but to remain there, a musician must continue to astound, surprise, and entertain. Join us as we delve into the most recent addition to his discography, ‘Rising Sun’.

Following the well-received singles, ‘Dreams We Missed’ and ‘Broken’, ARREN takes another step into 2025 with the new track, ‘Rising Sun’. Produced by Gary Duncan, ‘Rising Sun’ continues the shift from rock-inspired tones to folk-induced melodies. Fusing ARREN’s acoustic guitar with Dutch musician Tom Hartman’s entwined banjo and wistful harmonica in the background, ‘Rising Sun’ is that deep breath of relief and rejuvenation with a calming sense of tranquillity and languid gentleness. Sophisticated in its chilled-out arrangement and mellifluous flood of sound, Duncan showcases his elegance as a producer, yet there remains a vulnerability wistfully lingering in ‘Rising Sun’.

‘Rising Sun’ can plaster a whimsical smile across your face as you lose yourself in its sincerity and happiness; however, the song is not entirely carefree as it “captures the bittersweet of leaving home while honouring the love and legacy of one’s parents.” With lyrics like, “I can be your light/ To shine through and brighten your sky”, ARREN shares a message of hope and confidence, but then the lyrics, “and the cloud that’s over your head has dropped nearly all its rain/ And you’re soaked again”, explore feelings of yearning and hopelessness. Overall, however, ‘Rising Sun’ inspires the promise of being a rising sun even in the darkness and loss.

Sincere, sentimental and easy on the ears, ARREN and Tom Hartman shine bright with ‘Rising Sun’. With this new single, ARREN continues to hold his place on our playlists – personal and professional.


Find out more about ARREN on his official website, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.

Find out more about Tom Hartman on his Spotify.

This artist was sent to us by Moloney Media.


Listen to more folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist: