Ailbhe Reddy Kiss Big

Ailbhe Reddy is a Dublin-born songwriter whose music captures the quiet intensity of life’s in-between moments. Her third album KISS BIG is a breakup record — but not in the traditional sense. It explores what happens after the fallout: the numbness, the confusion, the brief flashes of clarity. How identity slips, rearranges, and occasionally reforms. Written between London, New York, Dublin and Donegal, KISS BIG draws on literary influences like Fleishman Is in Trouble and Sarah Kane’s Crave, combining diaristic lyrics with soft-spoken intensity. The result is a record that sits somewhere between indie rock and confessional folk, echoing the emotional weight of artists like Julia Jacklin, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. Reddy’s previous albums Personal History and Endless Affair earned critical acclaim and a Choice Music Prize nomination, with praise from outlets like The Guardian, Pitchfork, and The Times. She’s performed at Glastonbury, SXSW, The Great Escape and beyond, steadily building a loyal audience drawn to her honesty and emotional precision. With KISS BIG, Reddy leans further into her ability to make the personal feel universal. These are songs for endings, almosts, and the quiet beginnings that come after.