7/10

On his debut EP 'Teaching Our Teachers', Cork's James Keegan emerges as a voice that refuses to be confined by the gentle boundaries of conventional folk. At just 21, the Irish singer-songwriter channels something both traditional and urgently contemporary, weaving together intimate acoustic moments with bold sonic experimentation.

Working alongside producer Christian Best at Monique Recording Studios, Keegan has crafted a collection that breathes with dynamic range and creative ambition. His approach feels fearless—one moment he's cradling listeners with delicate fingerpicked guitar and hushed confessions, the next he's building towering walls of atmospheric synth and reverb-drenched textures that transform simple songs into cinematic experiences.

Keegan's voice carries the weight of someone who has lived more than his years suggest. There's a husky warmth to his delivery that draws clear lines to Ben Howard's contemplative power, yet his phrasing feels entirely his own. When he sings, it's with the kind of unguarded honesty that cuts through pretense and lands directly in the chest.

A standout amongst the collection is 'Love Grows Easy', which opens with gentle acoustic guitars and atmospheric whispers before Keegan's wistful voice enters—husking and cracking with raw emotion over the delicate fingerpicking. The track becomes a masterclass in dynamic storytelling, building from intimate confession to anthemic release, showcasing exactly why Keegan has already claimed four iTunes Number 1s.

The production here is where 'Teaching Our Teachers' truly distinguishes itself from the crowded indie-folk landscape. Christian Best's touch brings euphoric full-band flourishes that lift these songs beyond their acoustic origins. Pitch-shifted drums pulse like distant heartbeats, while swirling synth layers create an almost ethereal backdrop that never overwhelms Keegan's core vulnerability.

What emerges is a body of work that feels both deeply rooted in folk tradition and utterly unafraid to push against its limitations. Drawing from the worlds of folk intimacy and indie experimentation, Keegan creates something that feels entirely his own—tactile, lived-in, and carried by lyrics that make strangers feel like old friends.

With 'Teaching Our Teachers', James Keegan announces himself as an artist unafraid to blur boundaries and chase bigger sounds. This debut doesn't just introduce a promising new voice—it reveals someone ready to reshape what Irish folk can sound like in 2025.

Stream the full collection below.