Kate Prendergast – Exhale (2026)
It’s never easy to impress every member of my household; however, some weave their way into our hearts, keep us intrigued throughout their melodies, and find their way onto playlists set for repeat. While singer-songwriter Kate Prendergast is an emerging young Irish artist, her evocative music, sharp storytelling, and moving vocals place her among our favourites. Turning heads is what she does with her genre-blurring blend of folk, country, blues and alternative rock. Whether it’s a group of listeners at the intimate open mic nights or a festival with audiences dancing along to anthemic songs, Kate Prendergast has a way of winning each individual.
Following her well-received singles ‘Retold Tale’ and ‘Glass and Glue’, Prendergast joins forces with producer and multi-instrumentalist Declan Legge on ‘Exhale’. Chilled-out, smooth and gentle, the track leans strongly toward folk-pop tones, but there is a bluesy element that brings heavier, harder, more evocative sensibilities to ‘Exhale’. Acting like a backbone in the full-bodied tune, Legg’s drums and bass keep pace like an old friend leading you to a comfortable place around that sonic campfire. His lead guitar soars across with raw passion, inserting a rock-plucked riff here and there, while Prendergast’s piano peeps from the background, adding a haunting but welcome sweep to ‘Exhale’.
The instrumentation is fantastic, tugging at your heartstrings while still giving you a warm hug. Prendergast’s intimate vocals are honey-soaked, yet there remains a veiled vulnerability and melancholy in her dulcet tones. Delving into the complexities of relationships, the ebb and flow from solace to wistful uncertainty exudes in the lyrics and melody. She explains:
“’Exhale’ is a bittersweet reflection of hard truths about the struggle of maintaining one-sided relationships… ‘Exhale’ takes us on a journey through oscillating cycles of hope and failure. It raises caution about self-criticism and the treacherous comforts of familiarity in relationships where disappointment and disillusionment reign.”
Sincere, sentimental, honest and an easy listen, Prendergast ups the ante from ‘Glass and Glue’ with ‘Exhale’. As the first two singles in 2026, I am eager to hear what else she has in store.
Find out more about Kate Prendergast on her official website, Instagram, SoundCloud, YouTube and Spotify.
Listen to more folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
