Dublin’s Somebody’s Child are turning heads in their direction with “Time of My Life,” the lead single off their forthcoming sophomore album, ‘When Youth Fades Away.’
follow our Today’s Song(s) playlist
Stream: “Time of My Life” – Somebody’s Child
“Time of My Life” delivers an exceptional first taste into a new musical era for Somebody’s Child, merging their trademark indie rock sound with an autobiographical and reflective lyrical approach.
It’s not often that a band lands as firmly on their feet as Dublin’s Somebody’s Child, the project helmed by singer/songwriter Cian Godfrey. Fresh off the success of their self-titled debut album in 2023, Somebody’s Child has not only become a force in Ireland but has made their presence known on the global stage. Over the past year, they’ve played alongside powerhouse acts like The War on Drugs, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon, headlined Dublin’s iconic 3Olympia Theatre, and made an indelible mark on Electric Picnic’s main stage. Now, they’re back with a bold new single, “Time of My Life,” setting the stage for their upcoming sophomore album, When Youth Fades Away, due out in March 2025 via Frenchkiss Records.
“Time of My Life” marks an evolution in Somebody’s Child’s sound. While their debut album brims with restless energy and explorations of self-discovery, their new music reveals a deeper, more contemplative side. Gone is the frenetic need to escape; in its place is a sense of peace, acceptance, and perspective. Recorded in the US with Grammy-winning producer Peter Katis (who has worked with The National, Interpol, and Frightened Rabbit), When Youth Fades Away, promises to be a journey of introspection, driven by themes of legacy, connection, and nostalgia. It’s an album that grapples with the process of growing up and growing old, capturing the shifting sense of self that comes with life’s passing seasons.
Lead single “Time of My Life” is a fitting introduction to this new era. A two-chord anthem, the song takes a minimalist approach to structure, allowing the lyrics and emotions to shine through. The simplicity of the chords gives the song a reflective quality, as if every note is a heartbeat counting down the moments we often take for granted. Godfrey describes it as a ‘flashing of life before your eyes,’ a chance to look back on fleeting moments and find meaning in them.
“It’s about leaving a legacy through songs and accepting fate,” he explains. “It was one of the most cathartic songs we’ve ever written.” This shift towards introspection is a natural progression for a band that has always been deeply personal, but it’s never felt as tangible or as poignant as it does now.
The heartfelt and resonating lyrics throughout the song hits home for a lot of listeners. Early in the song Godfrey sings,
And I tried to help myself
But I could only find what you had left
And I tried to make amends
But I was only getting in my head
The story behind “Time of My Life” adds another layer of meaning to the song. Godfrey recalls that it came to life in a moment of serendipity, almost as if the song was waiting to be written. As they were wrapping up the album’s recording sessions, the band decided to give one last try to write a new track. In under an hour, “Time of My Life” was born, complete with a flood of lyrics and a powerful sense of completion. “We’ve always wanted to write a two-chord song, and this finally came out without force,” he says. “Another one that was written with an idea; ‘let’s close out the album.’ Less than an hour later, we had a full song with more lyrics than we’ve ever had. I remember the feeling so well. I thought we’d been at it for six hours. Pure elation.”
This sense of spontaneity and honesty resonates throughout, When Youth Fades Away, which pushes Somebody’s Child into new creative territory. From the synth-driven landscapes of the title track to the stripped-down intimacy of ‘Irish Goodbye’, the album reflects a band that is unafraid to evolve. Drawing inspiration from electronic pioneers like Kraftwerk, whose forward-thinking approach to sound has been a guiding light, and the raw, introspective lyricism of Leonard Cohen, the album breaks free of indie rock conventions, opening doors to experimentation and nuance.
Godfrey’s vision for the album is rooted in a simple but profound concept: perspective. He likens it to revisiting old memories or places and seeing them with new eyes. “It’s like going back to your parents’ house and noticing something you haven’t seen in years, having a completely different perspective on it now that you’re older,” he explains. It’s about realizing that even the seemingly insignificant parts of our past hold meaning. “Perhaps you’ve reached the age they were upon purchasing it. Whatever it is, it formed a part of your parents’ life and had significance in their past. You may not have been there for its use, but like the yellowing of a book, it becomes highlighted by time. By recognizing this, we are giving value to it.”
Closing out the song with gut-punching lyrics in a captivating manner, Godfrey sings,
One day I’ll die
And that’s about it
I’ll write a song
To remind you of me
I guess I’ll call it
The time of my life
Godfrey exclusively shares with Atwood Magazine, “This song in particular was one that came together effortlessly, which hardly ever happens. Maybe once in a few years. We were about to retire on our last day of a trip in Bantry, West Cork, where we wrote part of the album, and me and Shea decided to give it one more go. The idea was to write an album closer, something that I previously would have thought was a terrible idea going in – to have parameters set like that – but I think at that point we had loosened up so much and it felt like a shot at the dark anyways. I remember the feeling half an hour later when it was written, looking at the time and wondering how it wasn’t the middle of the night. It was 9pm. I was completely lost in it. It was surreal.”
As Somebody’s Child steps into 2025, they’re poised to redefine their place in modern rock. What started as a project rooted in Godfrey’s songwriting has blossomed into a voice that speaks to universal experiences of love, loss, nostalgia, and change. When Youth Fades Away, is more than just an album; it’s a reflection on life’s ephemeral nature, a reminder to find beauty in the transitory, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
With a milestone year behind them and an exciting one ahead, Somebody’s Child is emerging as one of the most compelling voices in indie rock today. Their journey is only beginning, and with “Time of My Life” as a preview, When Youth Fades Away, promises to be an album that not only defines a band but resonates with everyone who has ever stopped to wonder at the passing of time.
— —
:: stream/purchase Time of My Life here ::
:: connect with Somebody’s Child here ::
— —
Stream: “Time of My Life” – Somebody’s Child
— — — —
Connect to Somebody’s Child on
Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram
Discover new music on Atwood Magazine
© Jim Fuller
© Jim Fuller
:: Today’s Song(s) ::
follow our daily playlist on Spotify
:: Stream Somebody’s Child ::
