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Ahead of their much-anticipated debut album’s 2020 release, Dublin indie-rock quartet Pillow Queens have shared a new single, the bittersweet, yet lovely “Brothers.”
Pillow Queens—that is, Pamela Connolly, Sarah Corcoran, Cathy McGuinness and Rachel Lyons—say their new single is “about cherishing and loving the wonderful men in your life,” per a press release. They add in a statement, “The lyrics in the verses show quick snapshots of the aftermath from a loss of a friend within a very tight-knit group. An element of fear runs through the song as this sudden death makes you look around your group and feel terrified of the chances of another.”
Indeed, “Brothers” is both heartfelt and heartbroken—Pillow Queens find solace in friendship, leaning on their companions (and each other) as they bear life’s burdens together. “Hold up your hands, shoulder the week,” they harmonize, “I love my brothers and my brothers love me.” The band recorded the single—their first since the September release of “HowDoILook”—at Attica Studios, Co., in Donegal, Ireland, with producer Tommy McLaughlin, while the song’s poignant, cinematic video was directed by their regular collaborator Kate Dolan.
Paste’s Clare Martin profiled Pillow Queens in January, speaking to the charming quartet about their developing sound (which they described as “puppy pop” and “Pomeranian punk”) and forthcoming full-length debut. Said Corcoran of letting their LP come together at its own pace, “So far it’s actually working, really well, touch wood,” while Connolly explained, “We don’t want to be too precious, but we don’t want to throw away songs that we need to put a lot of love into. And if that [album] has to come out in 2020, then so be it. […] I don’t want to rush the love.”
We also highlighted Pillow Queens among 15 Irish acts to know in 2019 back in August, as well as in our 15 bands to see at Iceland Airwaves, the Reykjavík music discovery festival where the band will perform (with Paste’s own Lizzie Manno in attendance) next week, Nov. 6-9.
Watch the “Brothers” video (or stream the song on your DSP of choice) and see Pillow Queens’ tour dates below.
Pillow Queens Tour Dates:
November
01 – Drogheda, Ireland @ PUCA Festival
04 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ School Night @ Resident
07 – Reykjavik, Iceland @ Iceland Airwaves