Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Brophy’s Law – The Bachelor (2021)

Brophy’s Law are telling a classic barroom story through the folk-punk tones of ‘The Bachelor’. A favourite with live audiences, the single tells the story of a working-class man who surrenders to the bottle, avoiding marriage and slowly drinking himself to insanity. While this is not a new story, the way the band tells it through their infectious sound makes it a joy to listen to.

The track was written by Neil Brophy (vocals) when he was 18. With Martin Dale (bass, backing vocals), Brian Armstrong (mandolin, banjo, guitar, backing vocals), William Mclaughlin (pipes, whistles, vocals, accordion) and Espen Suell (drums, percussion), he has brought the story to vivid sonic life. With a splash of anthemic vibes mixed into the folk-punk soundscape, the track will have you lost in their sound while singing with them at the top of your lungs.



‘The Bachelor’ opens with a really interesting Irish folk feeling. All the elements of the melody come together to enhance this feeling as the whistles blast while the guitars and banjo twangs in the lower levels. There is a stomping good feeling to the music that makes you want to swing around the room. This takes a dip for a mournful whistle that calls out through the soundscape that matches the vocals. The drums thump you back into the vibes of the single making you want to stomp your feet to them. There is an infectious feeling to the music that hooks you and does not let you go.

As the melody fills you with the Irish folk vibes, the vocals throw you into the story of the track. From the first words, you are drawn into the life of the bachelor. While the music makes you want to jump around, the vocals make you want to sing out with them. There is an almost bar shanty feel to the vocal performance that is all infectious energy. When the music drops, the vocals move with them for a sombre moment before picking you up again.

Brophy’s Law hooks you with some infectious Irish folk tones wrapped around punk sensibilities and compressed into the most lively jig every in ‘The Bachelor’. If you are not moving around to the music, there is something seriously wrong with you. The addictive whistles, stomping tones and sing-along vocals come together for an unforgettable single.

Find out more about Brophy’s Law on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

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