Keelan X

Following the release of the sleek, cinematic triumph Fresh Paint, 2023 saw Keelan X cement his position as ‘one to watch’ in the synth-pop world. Keelan X’s sound, straddling the line between contemporary and nostalgia, has attracted support from the likes of BBC Introducing Three Counties & Northants, RTÉ 2, Amazing Radio, Today FM, The Vinyl District, Synthpoplover, Hot Press, Side-Line Magazine, and Electricity Club.

Now, the eclectic Irish artist has returned with another swaggering, electro-tinged single, as he unveils Running Red Lights. The track captures Keelan’s ability to write joyous, upbeat electronic music tinged with touching, personalised lyricism. Written from a women’s perspective during "the Troubles" back home in Ireland, Keelan explores the difficulties associated with having a relationship with a revolutionary during this time. The weighty subject matter is juxtaposed with stylishly hypnotic synth-pop sonics, recalling euphoric 80s soundtracks created by artists such as Giorgio Moroder and Harold Faltermeyer.

Talking about the inspiration behind the track, Keelan said, “I was gripped by the four-part BBC documentary series, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland and the stories of women losing their men to "the cause". When I was writing the song, I thought about this and what it must have been like to have a relationship with a revolutionary during the Troubles, and wrote from a women’s point of view, pleading with “her man” not to get involved in paramilitary activities. Leaving aside the political backdrop, the song is at one level just one person’s plea to another to stay”.

The single was released as part of a 4-track EP featuring ‘The Other Side’, ‘Fever’ and ‘These Days. A video featuring archival footage of Belfast from the IFI Irish Film Archive, shot by Irish filmmaker Donal Foreman accompanies the song.

Running Red Lights was out on 20th September 2024