Dave Sullivan – Set Me Free (2026)
With a willingness to dig deep into personal experiences, intimate narratives, and brutal honesty, it’s clear to see (or rather hear) why singer-songwriter Dave Sullivan is quickly growing a strong fanbase with his originality and authentic musicality. Hailing from Kerry, but now based in Waterford, the Irish artist is steadily carving a space in the pop scene with no signs of slowing down. His previous single, ‘The Last Time’, delved into “…that moment when everything changes. When what started as something fun suddenly feels like it’s carrying weight…” The new track, ‘Set Me Free’, continues to dip into change, but this time focusing on vulnerability, empowerment, and complex relationships. Join us as we sit back to ‘Set Me Free’.
Recorded and produced by Cian Boylan, ‘Set Me Free’ is far softer and tender than ‘The Last Time’ or ‘Capture’. Opening with a sweep of piano and drumstick clicks – or perhaps the tap of percussion – either way, it’s quick pulse perfectly contrasts with the gentle piano. Quickly, the melody builds up with a simple guitar strumming alongside bold drums, while the piano continues to drive the track with a fuller arrangement. While each instrument adds individuality to the mellifluous melody, every chord, tone, hush, crescendo, swoosh, glitter and flutter adds to a refreshing, harmonic, pop-tined sigh.
Just as the melody is flowing, drums, guitar and piano weave together, representing different emotions in ‘Set Me Free’s theme. A song about losing love, holding on, working through fragile tragedy to empowering hope, Sullivan unpicks raw human emotion and the intricacies of relationships. The poignant and poetic lyricism is executed by Sullivan’s rich, sweet vocals; however, within that sweetness, you hear a sadness that is both haunting and cathartic.
So, overall opinion of ‘Set Me Free’? It’s a lovely come-down after listening to Sullivan’s most recent releases. Fun, free and, as I said, the refreshing sigh, ‘Set Me Free’ can truly set you free.
In addition to the single, Sullivan released an official music video for ‘Set Me Free’. You can view the video below and/or on his YouTube channel.
Find out more about Dave Sullivan on his X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Jawdropper Music
