David Keenan – “Modern Mythologies”

Irish singer-songwriter David Keenan has just released Modern Mythologies, and this album is worth checking out. He spent three years writing these songs while dealing with addiction, childhood trauma, and trying to figure out who he is as an adult.

The album kicks off with Amelioration, a song about the tension that comes from having someone see you at your worst. Keenan takes that frustration and turns it into raw, soulful music. Then there’s 50 Quid Man, which describes a local Irish character everyone seems to know while also getting into those inner voices that make you want to escape reality. He does a good job mixing street stories with deeper personal stuff.

Incandescent Morning is one of the best tracks here. It’s a six-minute love song that takes its time building up. This isn’t your typical romance track. Keenan gets into real intimacy and connection without holding back, and when he sings “My God it’s good to lie with you”, you can tell he means it. He wrote this one later in the process, and you can hear how much he’d grown as a writer.

Poison Water takes on his childhood demons directly, turning bad memories and negative energy into poetry. We Live We Learn We Love looks at his life from age thirteen until now, examining the patterns and loops that shaped who he became. The album wraps up with Sick & Tired, where he looks back at where he started versus where he is today. The difference is huge. He worked with producers Gavin Glass, Peter Baldwin, and Cian Synnott on this, plus his usual crew of musicians. The album moves from Suriname or Bust, about two friends dreaming of escape, to Rebel Tune, where he sits alone at a piano being completely honest. It covers a wide range without losing direction.

If you liked his earlier albums A Beginner’s Guide to Bravery or WHAT THEN?, check out Modern Mythologies. Follow David Keenan on social media to keep up with his new releases and shows.