My friends…the year of the debut continues! Written after the breakdown of a relationship where our artist discovered that he was to be a father, ‘Thousand Yard Stare’ is the truly exceptional eleven-track album from Irish indie singer/songwriter Conor Miley. Emotionally and sonically complex, the musician explores themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and hope, all within the framework of folky, gospely, and electronic fusion. With meticulous care, Conor not only wrote and arranged every tune of the record but also orchestrated a rich and expansive production. Enlisting the help of Christian Best (Mick Flannery) to perform certain instruments was a masterstroke, and further enhanced the album’s complexity and depth.
‘Slowly, I Return’ is the opening song – a delicate, airy, and cinematic piece that brings to my mind memories of early Sigur Rós. Miley had over one hundred friends and family contribute to the tune through voice notes, just another sign of his collaborative spirit and dedication to his craft.
The title track then follows and we are now fully introduced to Conor’s vocals. Heartfelt and confident, the a cappella section is particularly enticing and alluring. ‘Lost Honeybee’ then comes along, and I must confess it’s my favourite song on the record. I’m jealous that you get to discover the remaining eight tunes for the very first time! What a debut!
Serious album alert! Enjoy ‘Thousand Yard Stare’ on Spotify now:
