Dublin’s Somebody’s Child, the indie rock project fronted by Cian Godfrey, are back with their highly anticipated sophomore album When Youth Fades Away, set for release on March 28, 2025, via Frenchkiss Records. The announcement arrives alongside the album’s lead single, ‘Time Of My Life’, which is now available on all streaming platforms.
After the massive success of their self-titled debut album in 2023, Somebody’s Child has spent the past year honing their craft and electrifying audiences worldwide. Their live shows have included high-profile performances with the likes of The War on Drugs, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon at BST Hyde Park, as well as sold-out headline dates, including a career-defining night at London’s Heaven and a headline spot at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre. They’ll also be performing at Electric Picnic 2024, marking their first time on the Main Stage at Ireland’s largest festival.
Recorded in the United States with Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Frightened Rabbit), When Youth Fades Away is a bold and introspective evolution for the band. The album explores themes of aging, reflection, and the shifting perspectives that come with it. Frontman Cian Godfrey describes it as a record about “staying put and reflecting” – a natural progression from the more escape-driven themes of their debut. “If our first album was about running away, this one is about letting people in and letting ourselves out,” Godfrey shares. “It’s about acknowledging where we are now, and where we’ve come from.”
The lead single ‘Time Of My Life’ serves as a perfect introduction to this new era. A cathartic and reflective anthem, the song encapsulates the bittersweet feeling of life’s fleeting moments. Written towards the end of the recording process, ‘Time Of My Life’ is a two-chord track that blends Somebody’s Child’s signature indie rock sound with deeply autobiographical lyrics. “It’s about the flashing of life before your eyes, ending in a feeling of resolve,” explains Godfrey. “Leaving legacy through songs and accepting fate. It was one of the most cathartic songs we’ve ever written.”
Godfrey adds, “We’ve always wanted to write a two-chord song, and this one came out so naturally. It felt like the perfect way to close out the album. We were about to give up that day, but then we gave it one last go. Less than an hour later, we had the full song written, with more lyrics than we’ve ever had. I remember the elation—thinking we’d been at it for six hours, but it was less than one.”
When Youth Fades Away pushes Somebody’s Child into new creative territory, blending the band’s indie rock roots with electronic influences and introspective vulnerability. The album includes a mix of styles, from the synth-driven experimentation of the title track to the raw, stripped-back beauty of “Irish Goodbye.” Drawing inspiration from artists like Kraftwerk and Leonard Cohen, the album showcases Somebody’s Child’s growth as both musicians and storytellers.
Additional keyboard instrumentation on the album comes courtesy of Thomas Bartlett (Doveman, The Gloaming), adding new textures to the band’s evolving sound. Godfrey reflects, “The album’s themes are like seeing something old with fresh eyes, like going back to your parents’ house and seeing something you’ve never really noticed before—now that you’re older, you start to see its value. It’s the same with these songs. They are about looking back with new perspective, and giving meaning to what time has left behind.”
With When Youth Fades Away, Somebody’s Child is poised to cement their place as one of modern rock’s most exciting acts. As they prepare for a year of monumental live performances, including headline shows and festival appearances, this album marks a new chapter in their ongoing journey.
