If you haven’t yet discovered the quietly powerful songwriting of Ailbhe Reddy, now’s the perfect moment. The Dublin-born, London-based singer-songwriter has returned with her third full-length album, Kiss Big, out now.
For years, Reddy’s work has stood out for its emotional honesty and lyrical clarity; she turns everyday feelings into songs that feel both deeply personal and universally recognisable. With Kiss Big, she takes that gift and channels it through the messy, beautiful terrain of a breakup; the confusion that comes after the end of a long relationship, the disorientation of losing someone you built a life around, and the slow crawl toward finding solid ground again.
What makes Kiss Big compelling isn’t just its themes, but how Reddy expresses them. Her arrangements blend atmospheric indie rock, subtle electronic textures and organic warmth, creating space for her voice and lyrics to resonate.
There are quiet moments of introspection and bigger, cathartic peaks that reflect the emotional oscillation of heartbreak and recovery. The album was co-produced with Tommy McLaughlin (Villagers, SOAK), and recorded across cities like Dublin, London, New York, and the American Midwest, giving the record a sense of both intimacy and geographical reach.
As a songwriter, Reddy excels at putting complicated feelings into simple, sharp language, a skill that makes Kiss Big feel less like a collection of breakup songs and more like a map of emotional transition. It’s the kind of record that rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers with every play. It’s a masterclass in turning personal vulnerability into art that feels vivid, honest and, ultimately, hopeful.
Kiss Big is in stores now.
