Silver Winged They Fly blends dark introspection with upbeat, genre-bending soundscapes that fuse shoegaze, indie rock, and synthwave. With comparisons to acts like The National, The Blue Nile, Boards of Canada, and Future Islands, their music captures both emotional depth and sonic exploration.
The debut single, Cold in the Soul, serves as a poignant commentary on modern times, reflecting a growing sense of alienation that first emerged during the early pandemic. "It’s a song about how being switched off inside yourself leads to a lot of problems being switched on in society and the world," says frontman Ruairi Friel. The track's hypnotic blend of drum machines, synths, and shoegaze guitars is paired with Friel's emotionally charged lyrics, offering a sense of hope amid despair. "It’s cold in the soul of man, oh to be guided," he sings, capturing the duality of human vulnerability and the yearning for connection
Produced by Orri McBrearty (Bell X1, Villagers, SOAK) and featuring Sarah Cullen on vocal harmonies, Cold in the Soul was crafted to reflect the dark nights of the soul, recognising the pain in modern society and fleeting moments of beauty. "We tried to capture that juxtaposed feeling in the recording—to see the darkness but also transform it" adds Friel.
The accompanying video, co-produced and directed by Friel and Cullen, is a visually stunning yet unsettling montage, inspired by Adam Curtis. It combines new and archive footage to explore themes of nature, society, introspection, and war.
Silver Winged They Fly is quickly gaining traction. Based in the rugged and scenic Donegal, Ireland, they plan to channel their roots into their upcoming live performances in 2025, which will feature both UK and Ireland gigs. Their live shows promise to be captivating, drawing from the rich experience of the band members.
Their unique take on alternative indie and dark synthwave, paired with visually striking content, sets the stage for their ascent in 2025. New single and accompanying video set for release in November 2024.