New Music: Ways of Seeing – Idolise

In Ways of Seeing, John Berger wrote how art reflects society and the self, and the reverse may also be true, affecting how we see them and ourselves in turn.

The concept is also an important element of the music made by the Cork band of the same name. Whether consciously or not, the words we use, and the influences we decide to reveal to the world can say more about us and our emotions, than we think.

Idolise is the first single from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, which was produced by Cork-based producer Christian Best and mixed by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band. I think I’ll leave it to the listener to decipher what the song is saying, to whom, and what it means, because so much of the pleasure in the song comes from there.

But what I will say is that with vocals and lyrics reminiscent of Cathal Coughlan and a smooth yet urgent – not to mention anthemic – take on post-punk, the new album from Ways of Seeing is going to be one you’ll need to hear in 2025.

“This song explores the dangers of idolisation in a relationship or any other realm of society for that matter. It has the potential to lead to a loss of identity, a power imbalance and the hindrance of growth,” say the band.

“Putting anyone on a pedestal means there is a good chance that you might miss the red flags attached which can lead to an unravelling into chaos and destruction. Sometimes only seeing the good in something or someone can tear you apart more than acknowledging and tackling the messy parts of life.”

Idolise and the band’s 2022 album End Comes To Light can be downloaded on Bandcamp and streamed on YouTube Music and Spotify. For details of the new LP, and live dates in Cork, Dublin, and Kilkenny, follow Ways of Seeing on Instagram.