Ahead of their upcoming debut EP, Cork-based alt-rock band Cardinals have dropped a new single, ‘Nineteen,’ showcasing their distinctive mix of pop and punk influences. The track, which premiered on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 Music show, encapsulates the raw energy and youthful spirit that the band is becoming known for.
‘Nineteen’, described by frontman Euan Manning as a sub-two-minute adrenaline rush, reflects the band’s ability to blend succinct storytelling with energetic music. Manning shares, “Nineteen came from a desire to write a song that was shorter than two minutes. I had been listening to lots of Buddy Holly and he’s got some great short songs. It was written very quickly in a practice session but was about four minutes originally so we whittled it down to the 1 minutes and 53 seconds you hear now. The lyrics were the first thing that came to mind, usually I’d go home and do re-writes but these were simple somehow, I liked them enough to keep them as they were.”
The forthcoming EP, titled simply Cardinals, is set to release on June 7th via So Young Records. It promises to be a collection that captures the essence of their early days playing in Cork City. “It’s pop music at its core, personal, youthful, and, if you can see past the chaos and noise it’s extremely warm. There’s a narrative if you’ve got the heart to look for it. It’s our first EP, and we’re looking forward to it being out there for everyone to hear,” Manning explains.
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The EP will be available in a limited edition 12″ cream vinyl, with a Rough Trade exclusive edition that includes a lyric booklet. This release follows Cardinals’ notable performance for ‘Other Voices’ and comes after receiving high praise from notable figures such as Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten, who described them as “one of my favourite new bands.”
Cardinals began their first headline tour of the UK & Ireland recently and are scheduled to perform at The Great Escape festival in Brighton. Additional live dates include performances across cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and London, with more to be announced.
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