Recorded in Nashville, Northern Irish singer/songwriter Odhrán Murphy’s sophomore EP ‘Roots & Reverie’ broadens his sound while staying true to his storytelling roots.

Stream: ‘Roots & Reverie’ – Odhrán Murphy

Odhrán Murphy taps his feet to the music and sings along with “I See You” – not spilling a drop of the pint he’s holding in his hands.

The video for his current single is a perfect snapshot of Murphy himself who comes across as smooth and steady, no matter what’s happening around him. That same ease carries into his sophomore EP, Roots & Reverie, which Murphy calls his most personal project to date.

“The aspect of Roots reflects on myself as a person. It creates a story of the people and places that raised me, and without this I wouldn’t be the man I am today,” he explains. “Reverie is a bit more reflective and dreamy. Those songs lean more into emotions, imagination, and the ‘what ifs’ of life.”

Across the six tracks, Murphy plays to his strength as a natural storyteller, pairing honest lyricism with warm, unfussy vocals. There’s a back-and-forth across the EP: between isolation and connection, distance and belonging, and hard days and quieter moments of love. That push and pull shapes Roots & Reverie, from “Heal” about a person weathering an internal storm to “Mary-Anne,” about his grandmother’s enduring love.

Much of that comes from his roots. Being from County Armagh, the smallest county in Northern Ireland, has shaped Murphy’s perspective and the kinds of stories he tells through his music.

“A lot of the imagery and themes in these songs come from the kinds of stories I grew up hearing – about people, about place, about moments that stay with you,” he says.

“Irish storytelling has a certain honesty and emotion to it. Sometimes it’s bittersweet, sometimes hopeful, but it’s always very human. ‘Heart’s in the Heather’ is definitely one of the strongest ‘Armagh’-themed stories, and it captures the beauty and the sheer love I have for my hometown.”

To bring those stories to life, Murphy headed to Nashville to record the project – a move that broadened his sound while keeping it personal.

“Recording there was a really special experience,” he says. “Nashville has such a deep musical heritage, especially in the kind of music I make. Being surrounded by people who live and breathe songwriting and musicianship definitely makes it all worthwhile. The talent is immense.”

At its heart, guitar sits at the center of the songs, with a few extra touches that give them depth while keeping them grounded and honest.

Over the past year, Murphy’s profile has grown significantly. His debut EP, Stuck in the Middle, racked up more than 12 million streams, and he spent 2025 working on his music and stage presence. He supported Mumford & Sons in front of over 20,000 people in Dublin, played standout sets at The Great Escape Festival and Ireland Music Week, and sold-out headline shows at Camden Assembly in London and Whelans in Dublin.

Now signed to 10K Projects, Murphy is emerging as a strong new voice in country-folk, blending story-driven songs with a modern sound.

At its core, though, Roots & Reverie is really about connection – something Murphy hopes listeners will take with them.

“More than anything, I hope people feel something when they listen to it,” he says. “If someone hears one of these songs and it helps them through something, reminds them of home, or just makes them stop and reflect for a moment, then the project has done what it was meant to.”

Experience the full record via our below stream, and peek inside Odhrán Murphy’s Roots & Reverie EP with Atwood Magazine as he goes track-by-track through the music and lyrics of his latest release!

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:: stream/purchase Roots & Reverie here ::

:: connect with Odhrán Murphy here ::

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Stream: ‘Roots & Reverie’ – Odhrán Murphy

:: Inside Roots & Reverie ::

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Heal

“Heal” is the emotional anchor of the EP. It’s written as a message to someone who’s been through a lot, encouraging them to keep going and trust that brighter days are ahead. The character of Caroline represents anyone who’s struggled but is still standing.

I See You

“I See You” moves into darker territory, focusing on someone dealing with inner struggles, addiction, and isolation. It’s about watching someone you care about go through pain – not trying to fix it, just being there and acknowledging it.

Dance to You All Night

“Dance to You All Night” is about connection stripped back to its simplest form. No noise, no distractions, just two people fully present with each other.

Heart’s in the Heather

“Heart’s in the Heather” explores distance, both physical and emotional. It’s about leaving home in search of something more, only to realize how deeply rooted you are in where you came from.

If I Were a God

“If I Were a God” captures the helplessness that can come with loving someone deeply. It imagines having the power to protect them from everything – pain, sadness, the world itself – while knowing that no one actually can.

Mary-Anne

“Mary-Anne” is rooted in family history, telling the story of my great grandmother and her love. It feels timeless, like a love story that exists outside of modern life.

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:: stream/purchase Roots & Reverie here ::

:: connect with Odhrán Murphy here ::

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 © Craig Conroy

Roots & Reverie

an EP by Odhrán Murphy