Reevah

Constantly evolving from her singer-songwriter roots, Reevah has earned tastemaker acclaim, international airplay and streaming support in Ireland, the UK, the USA and beyond. But now Reevah steps into a new chapter and a fresh sound with the new single ‘Call Me Up’. Its vibrant rush of alt-pop melody, evocative ‘80s flavoured throwbacks and indie-rock live feel sets the tone for more releases which will follow in 2023. Reevah’s instantly magnetic vocal allure adds the midas touch to a sound that will appeal to fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Maggie Rogers, Florence + the Machine and London Grammar.

Like those artists, Reevah writes songs which express the frailties, confusions and vulnerabilities that come with everyday experience. But ultimately she finds an empowerment that offers hope to listeners who are going through similar things.

“I don’t tend to write about soft subjects,” notes Reevah, real name Aoife Boyle. Fittingly, ‘Call Me Up’ possesses a dogged determination to refuse to adhere to social expectations. “It’s basically about smashing the patriarchy,” she continues. “It’s about going through the motions, but trying to break away from them and away from what women are perceived to be. I’m worth more than this. I can do more than society expects me to do.”

That attitude simmers throughout the new music that Reevah is preparing to unleash. Some songs are direct, others are metaphorical but powerful emotions, self-determination and “the power of women”are recurring themes. For Reevah, a mother of two, it’s also about standing up and affirming that a mother can also prosper as an artist. “We’re still viable and able to do what we want to do, and we deserve to be accepted in terms of having a sustainable career.”

Reevah’s brighter, bolder new sound delivers those messages in a style that will take her to her broadest audience to date. While Aoife is the voice, the face and the leader of Reevah, it’s also a collaborative project with key input from her live drummer Brian Doherty and producer Matt Weir.

Together they experimented to keep pushing the Reevah sound onwards from her previous EP, 2021’s ‘Begin, Again’. The key to unlocking this richer, textured approach was to experiment to pool their varying influences - pop, alternative, indie, folk, chamber pop and more - into something bigger than the sum of its parts.

Reevah’s songwriting, vocal and production style have been all amplified, but she also needed a fresh approach to take these songs to the world. Step forward Bloom Records, a new imprint from Dublin’s Faction Records, which is led by the multifaceted A&R, artist manager and BBC Introducing presenter Aine Cronin-McCartney. As Reevah expands, “We’re on the same path sonically, so that’s really exciting too. We’re trying to pick it up and let people know what the potential of Reevah is, especially as a live act. We’ve had some great things happen at home” - an NI Music Prize nomination for Best Single, RTÉ Radio One airplay, shows with The Coronas, The Academic, Other Voices, Whelans Ones to Watch and SOAK - “but we’re definitely looking to expand that further.”

“I feel like this is just the beginning,” she concludes with the calm aura of someone knowing that she’s right on track. “It feels like a fresh start, this will be the first step, and it feels like a new chapter. We’re finding out what Reevah is about, and I know there’s plenty more to come.”