Halcyon Low – Clover (2025)
Formed in 2019, Irish group Halcyon Low had just begun to embrace their love for music when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Restricted to our homes and isolated for our own protection, one might consider a newly formed band to fizzle and dissolve before it even began; not Halcyon Low. Determined to share their brand of alternative rock with the masses, Paul Whelan (vocals and guitar), Tomas O’Shea (guitar), James Coady (bass), and Mark O’Groman (drums) poked those embers of musical passion to offer intriguing melodies and insightful lyricism. Following their well-received self-titled EP in 2023, which included their single ‘Simple Boy’ that was included in the award-winning film The Hurler: A Campion’s Tale, Halcyon Low return with their new single, ‘Clover’.
Produced by Ben Wanders at Wanderland Recording Studios in Limerick, ‘Clover’ retains a signature Halcyon Low sound that entwines the best of vintage alternative and indie-rock, but seems to delve into a heavier realm of 90s alt-rock. Interestingly, while the pounding drums and bold bass bring a crashing weight to the single, the soaring guitars simultaneously lighten the load alongside Whelan’s ethereal vocals that seem to swim across this dark melody.
Dark and light, confident and vulnerable, subdued and bold, fragile and forceful – ‘Clover’ oscillates between grit and glory with a cinematic haunting and anchoring resilience. This is an ideal encapsulation of escapism and nostalgia – recurring themes in Halcyon Low’s music. For me, the rush from frenzied urgency and tempestuousness to a swirl of languid tranquillity as the melody peters out is an elegant and sophisticated expression of raw emotion and the travelling of full-force excitement to slower, steadier gentleness.
In addition to the single, Halcyon Low released an official music video for ‘Clover’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses image transitions and effects that can trigger migraines and/or seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Find out more about Halcyon Low on their Instagram, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Old Crow Promotions.
Listen to more alternative rock music on The Other Side Reviews Alternative Rock playlist:
