James Darcy – “The Middle”

James Darcy’s debut solo single, “The Middle”, makes a strong first impression, and not just because it’s the first track he’s putting out under his own name. Coming from Tipperary, Ireland, James pulls from indie, folk, alternative rock, and even bits of pop to create something that feels familiar yet still very much his own. You can hear the storytelling influence of artists like Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, and Noah Gundersen in his approach, but he doesn’t just mimic them. He’s clearly carving out his own lane with this release.

“The Middle” works because it’s honest and personal without ever trying too hard, James manages to balance emotion with accessibility, which is tough to pull off. The song has that sort of reflective quality that makes you stop for a second and think, but it’s also the kind of track you can put on during a long drive and just let it wash over you. It’s not one of those singles that only makes sense if you know his story or background, it stands on its own as something you can connect with right away.

I like how intentional this feels as a first step, some artists rush out a debut single just to get something out, but you can tell Darcy took the time to shape this track into a real introduction of who he is and what he’s about musically. He’s not only entertaining listeners, he’s inviting them into his world. That combination of indie edge, folk sincerity, and pop sensibility suggests there’s a lot more range to come.

And speaking of journeys, this is definitely a good moment to jump on board. James has made it clear he wants his music to be about connection and storytelling, and that’s only going to grow as he continues releasing new projects. If you like what you hear in “The Middle”, don’t just stop there. Go follow James Darcy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) so you don’t miss the next wave of music, updates about concerts, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes following an artist worthwhile. Independent artists like Darcy thrive when people engage directly with them, and honestly, it’s the best way to stay in the loop as he builds on the momentum of this debut and shares more of the stories and songs he’s clearly eager to put out into the world.