Kevin Walsh’s latest single ‘Ruby’ resonates with a cinematic alchemy akin to the poignant melodies of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. Orchestrally carved and piano-driven, the production underscores the Cork native’s virtuoso tenor octave range, which has led to the anticipation of him being hailed as a soon-to-be marvel of the West End. The minor-key ballad, delivered through Walsh’s emotive voice, serves not only to showcase his impressive vocal range but also invites listeners into a sonic expanse of theatrical romanticism.
Opening with the disarmingly simple contemplation of modern communication, the single spirals into a soundscape that captures the essence of lost love and longing. The elegiac piano by Dylan Howe, along with Maria Ryan’s string compositions, harmonises eloquently with Walsh’s classically trained vocals. This orchestration, arranged by Aine Delaney and peppered with Sarah Hickey’s background harmonies, encapsulates the nostalgic heartache that imbues the track.
Inspired by the likes of Tom Waits and Randy Newman, Walsh offers a plaintive plea for reconnection which will leave you choking back the tears. Drawing from the acclaimed music video for his reworking of Meat Loaf’s ‘Not a Dry Eye in the House’, which depicts young lovers torn apart, ‘Ruby’ carries forward this narrative of separation and the relentless pursuit of faded dreams.
The release of ‘Ruby’ on November 8th, available on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms, promises to be a touching addition to the modern orchestral pop landscape. Kevin Walsh’s narrative ambition stretches further still, as he plans to weave these themes into an EP that aims to culminate in a full musical film.
As Walsh prepares for an intimate performance at Al Spailpin Fanach, Cork, on November 13th, his journey—from a non-verbal autistic child finding his voice in music to a chart-topping theatrical performer—continues to be an inspiring testament to the power of persistence and the arts.
Review by Amelia Vandergast