Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Peter Richardson – Heaven Can’t Help Me Now (2025)

Emerging from the ashes of the Covid-19 pandemic – or rather releasing his 2020 debut single amusingly entitled, ‘The End Of The World’ – lifelong musician, Peter Richardson, made his mark on the Irish indie-folk scene. From that single onwards, he has grown in popularity with well-received singles, including ‘Please Don’t Believe Me’ and ‘Emily’, as well as his four-track 2022 EP, Then & Now. Along with a growing fanbase online, Richardson and his live band are quickly emerging as a powerful, confident, enthusiastic and engaging artist soaring toward newer heights with an evolving sound. The latest addition to his discography is ‘Heaven Can’t Help Me Now’.

Following his single ‘Falling Softly’, Richardson shifts gears with rock-infused grittiness in the new single. With a strong reminiscence of Hozier, ‘Heaven Can’t Help Me Now’ showcases Richardson’s heavier, harder, and evocative sensation of raw emotion. Recorded at Jejune Studios in Drogheda with producer Daniel De Búrca, it finds the line between pounding rock and tender folk locked in a brash upset of folk-rock intensity. The pounding drums crash behind and work harmoniously with the crunching guitars, bringing jagged edginess and the soothing lilt of a sophisticated tune.

An immersive single, listening to ‘Heaven Can’t Help Me Now’ is a case of ripping a band-aid off an open wound, exposing the stark tragedy to burn in the open air. Yet, while the heaviness of the powerful melody beats down with its rush of controlled chaos, a vibrant saxophone enters like a soothing balm to care for the wound and calm the hurt.

The elegance and intricate duality of its melody,  ‘Heaven Can’t Help Me Now’ is soul-stirring. For me, however, it is the heaviness of Richardson’s vocals that ups the ante. Bound with its tune, Richardson’s voice leads the single into your brain, rattles about, and then pounds on your chest while clutching your heart, stealing your breath, and leaving you in that place where words don’t make sense, only music.



Find out more about Peter Richardson on his Facebook, X, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was sent to us by MusicBox PR.


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