Síomha Hennessy – Building Character (2025)
Not every debut makes a statement, but Building Character certainly does. With this five-track release, Dublin-born comedian and singer-songwriter Síomha Hennessy delivers a collection that is as sharp as it is heartfelt. Blending acerbic wit with moments of striking vulnerability, the EP firmly establishes her as one of the most original new voices in alt-pop cabaret.
Hennessy has already built a reputation for herself on the comedy stage, where her solo shows (30 Under 30, The Coil’s Lament) earned award nominations, critical acclaim, and sold-out runs at Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe. That background in comedy permeates this debut recording, but what’s most striking is how seamlessly her sharp observational humour dovetails with moments of raw vulnerability. For fans of artists like Chappell Roan, CMAT, and Amanda Palmer, Hennessy offers a similarly fearless blend of theatricality, confessional songwriting, and pop sensibility, all wrapped in a very Irish brand of irony.
The record opens with ‘Unexpectedly Unfamous’, a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek anthem that sets the tone. Over buoyant instrumentation and playful melodies, Hennessy sings with both relish and rue about the strange in-between state of chasing artistic dreams while watching peers collect more “respectable” milestones. It’s at once funny, biting, and strangely universal, a statement of intent that shows she’s ready to embrace the contradictions of her craft.
On ‘Ritalin’, Hennessy dials up the energy with a song that manages to be both cheekily irreverent and disarmingly candid. The arrangement, layered with irresistible hooks and a driving rhythm, underscores her deft lyricism. Much like the best of Amanda Palmer’s work, the track balances theatricality with a tender honesty that lingers long after the song fades.
‘It’s Not Love’ provides a softer counterpoint, its bittersweet string arrangement highlighting Hennessy’s ability to move beyond satire into heart-stopping sincerity. Here, her vocals shine most clearly, rich, nuanced, and utterly captivating. It’s the kind of song that stops you mid-listen, surprising in its emotional gravity.
The title track, ‘Building Character’, is the thematic heart of the record. Hennessy leans fully into her wry self-awareness, turning the familiar frustration of “falling behind” into an empowering anthem of defiance. The line about building “character” instead of wealth or stability becomes both a joke and a manifesto, a recognition that unconventional paths may be messy, but they are fertile ground for art.
The closing number, ‘The Party’, is the EP’s wildest and most theatrical track. It’s a riot of witty imagery and infectious rhythm, a perfect closer that leaves listeners exhilarated and eager for more.
What elevates Building Character beyond novelty is Hennessy’s craft. These songs are not just vehicles for punchlines; they’re well-constructed, musically sophisticated, and delivered with a confidence that belies her status as a first-time recording artist. Her vocals range from playful to soaring, and the lush arrangements (including strings that shimmer across the record) provide a striking counterpoint to her comedic edge.
The EP also carries a political weight. Hennessy has been candid about how Ireland’s Basic Income for Artists pilot enabled her to create this work, giving her the time and resources to develop and record these songs properly. Building Character is an utter gem: bold, clever, moving, and thoroughly entertaining. With this release, Síomha Hennessy proves herself not just as a comedian with songs but as a fully-fledged songwriter whose wit and warmth demand attention. Expect her to be unexpectedly very famous before long.
You can find out more about Síomha Hennessy on her Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
