“If I don’t write it, I’m forever stuck in the messy middle” – An Interview with Ailbhe Reddy

Dublin-born singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy is releasing her fabulous new album this Friday on Don Giovanni Records. We loved her debut (2020’s Personal History) and its 2023 follow-up (Endless Affair) but this new record is probably Ailbhe’s best work to date. KISS BIG is a break-up record and was written after the end of a long-term relationship with the songs reflecting the emotions you go through when you try to figure out why it happened and how you piece your world back together.

It’s about the aftershock of a breakup. That liminal space where you’re equal parts sad, hopeful, terrified, and probably a bit delusional.”

Ailbhe Reddy

The album opens with “Align” which is the first track that was written after the breakup but is about reaching that point where you are able to move on and wishing them well. “So Quickly, Baby” is described as her meltdown song; a calm, almost confessional, verses over a sparse organ before the choruses explode in an outpouring of emotion with Reddy questioning “How do you move on so quickly, baby?”.

There are some beautiful slower songs like “Dead Arm” and the record’s title track and also a bit of a departure from the previous records on “Crave”, a spoken-word stream of consciousness reminiscing the favorite moments of the relationship. My favorite on the record is “That Girl” which is about the aftershock of a breakup (“I’ve never been further from you than I am now”) where you don’t understand why everything has changed (“I’m still that girl that you knew”).

It’s a superb album that takes you on a rollercoaster of relatable emotions that you will definitely be listening to on repeat. We chatted with Ailbhe as she was preparing for KISS BIG’s release.

Hi Ailbhe! How’s everything going right now?
Going pretty great. My third album is out next week, so I’m excited about that.

Congratulations on Kiss Big – it’s a wonderful record that I’ve been enjoying a lot over the last few weeks. Where and when did you write and record it?
Thanks so much for listening! I started writing it a few years ago, actually. I was touring my last record and travelling and was adjusting to life after the break down of one relationship. The album is pretty much in chronological order of how the songs were written, so it follows me ending a relationship, coming to terms with that, moving to London, swearing off loving again, starting to spend time in New York and then towards the end realising I’m back in love again. I recorded the demos all over the place. My old balcony, my old bedroom on a noisy high street in Hackney, London. My partner’s apartment in New York, while on the road driving from Toronto to Austin, Texas. It was recorded in Donegal, Ireland in a studio called Attica. It’s a beautiful, serene place to spend time and work on a project. It’s funny, while I was recording it I would be going back and forth between New York and London then I’d fly back to Ireland and spend a week in Donegal where it’s crazy quiet. Like I’d go from constant noise of Manhattan and London to near silence. 

You’ve said that this is a breakup album – do you find it cathartic to write about these experiences?
Yeah of course, I think, for me anyway, until I write something I’ve not really processed it. Feelings are so messy and confusing but a song is a way of putting a beginning, middle and end on it. I feel like if I don’t write it, I’m forever stuck in the messy middle. 

While there are still plenty of guitars on the record, there seem to be more synths/electronic sounds on Kiss Big than your previous records. Was that intentional or just how the songs ended up being recorded?
It was totally intentional, from the way I wrote it to the way we went into the studio. I wrote Align the first track and the first song written for the record on Logic on my laptop while on a train to Glasgow. That kind of changed how I was looking at songs. Rather than letting the guitar dictate what happened in the melody, I felt like I was kind of breaking the melody free, breaking habits. I wanted to mix synth with acoustic guitars and electronic drums with acoustic drums. 

If you could only listen to one record, what would it be?
When The Pawn by Fiona Apple. It’s one of my favs and is a meaty record I can’t see myself getting bored of easily. 

Who were your inspirations growing up and did any influence how you approached the new album?
My first inspirations growing up were Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, then later Fiona Apple. As a little kid I was also obsessed with Bob Dylan and Don McLean. I think that all of that has informed my writing. I think I’m a fairly classic songwriter when it comes to form. 

Kiss Big is your first release on Don Giovanni Records (who are based here in Philly). How did you end up signing with them?
We were talking to a few labels about the album and I met Joe for lunch one day when I was in New York and we just hung out and chatted and got along great. I really trust him and he goes above and beyond for his artists. He’s a good guy. 

What would go on your signature pizza and what would it be called?
The Reddy! Pepperoni, pineapple, corn, sausage and green peppers. With a side of garlic mayo. 

What else do you have on the horizon for 2026 (and beyond) that we should know about?
Just promoting Kiss Big and playing some shows!

Visit Ailbhe’s Bandcamp page to grab some vinyl and follow her on Instagram and TikTok for all the latest news.

Feature Photo Credit – Su Mustecaplioglu