Peadar Connolly Blends Alt-Folk and Eurovision Flair on Chart-Topping Single ‘The Feeling is Over’
This Irish Alt-Folk Single Reframes the Breakup Ballad as Amicable Resolution
There’s a specific quiet that settles after a storm, and it’s this feeling of calm resolution that Irish singer-songwriter Peadar Connolly captures on his alt-folk single The Feeling is Over. Released on May 28, the track fuses alt-folk intimacy with the grand, melodic gestures of alternative pop. The result is a lush ballad that soared to the top of the overall Irish iTunes chart on release, centred on the peaceful exhale that arrives after an ending.
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artist’s music, and know more about the artist’s work by scrolling down the page.
Peadar Connolly Brings Alt-Folk Calm to a Breakup Ballad
For us at IndieMusic.News, a track earns its place when it frames a familiar theme from a novel angle. Connolly does exactly that. Instead of anger or sorrow, his song explores the waves of relief that follow an amicable breakup. It shifts the focus from loss to the gentle liberation of moving forward. That perspective is what drew us in, marking Peadar Connolly as an emerging alt-folk artist with a distinct point of view.
The story behind The Feeling is Over deepens its theme of mutual respect. It was written and produced with collaborator Mitchell Keely. The song became a testament to a friendship that endured even as the romance it chronicled came to a close, and its alt-folk closeness mirrors that shared history.
Connolly reflected on the single’s quick rise: “Creating The Feeling is Over was a deeply personal journey that evolved into something bigger than I initially imagined. To see it resonate so quickly, particularly topping the Irish iTunes chart, is incredibly validating.” It is a reminder that a personal narrative, told with care and craft, can connect on a universal level.
An Ethnomusicologist’s Blend of Alt-Folk, Orchestral Pop, and Eurovision Flair
What sets The Feeling is Over apart is its blend of three distinct genres into a single sonic palette. Connolly is also a trained ethnomusicologist, and he brings an academic’s curiosity to the work. He layers an alt-folk core with sweeping orchestral elements and modern alternative-pop production. The result avoids easy categorisation.
Most distinctively, there is a theatrical flair reminiscent of Eurovision: dramatic, heartfelt, and built around a powerful melodic hook. That influence is no mere footnote, as Connolly was a songwriter and performer on the runner-up entry in RTE’s Eurosong 2024. The single has already drawn coverage from outlets such as Mesmerized and Plastic Magazine. That sits alongside praise from Irish institutions like Hot Press and RTE.
IndieMusic.News’ Curator Team:
What stands out in The Feeling is Over is how it builds. It starts with the quiet closeness of a folk song and swells into something cinematic without losing its personal core. It blends alt-folk’s hushed quality with the scale of alternative pop, at once intimate and anthemic.
An Essential Listen for Fans of Hozier, Florence + The Machine, and Sam Ryder
So, who is this for? If your playlists lean on artists who pair lyrical depth with musical ambition, his blend offers a new voice. Connolly’s fusion of alt-folk and alternative pop sits comfortably in that space. The track resonates immediately with fans of Hozier. The two share Irish roots and a knack for infusing folk structures with literary grandeur.
Listeners who love the orchestral sweep of Florence + The Machine will find similar drama in the arrangement. The stated Eurovision influence places its memorable, emotionally charged chorus in the same open-hearted category as Sam Ryder. It is for anyone who appreciates a pop song that marries a catchy hook to honest, personal storytelling.
Stream the Single and Follow Peadar Connolly
The Feeling is Over is a confident statement from an emerging artist with a clear creative direction. Following its chart success and early radio airplay, including stations like Resonance FM, it lands as a signal of intent. We will be keeping a close eye on what Connolly does next.
Stream the single on Bandcamp and SoundCloud, or save it on every platform. Keep up with Peadar Connolly across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and explore more on his official website.
