Colm Warren, a Northern Irish singer-songwriter, has dropped a new single, “Thinking Of You,” a multicolor study of heartbreak and regret. Part classic rock single, the music highlights his unique vocal color and indefinable genre fluidity.
“Thinking Of You” also expands the lexicon of the classic heartbreak ballad with poignant and relatable lyrics that tap into universal feelings of lost love. Musically, it draws on the rich palette of Beatles-era rock, spiced with John Byrne’s sophisticated orchestral arrangements. Soulful clarinet solos, no less, also enrich the track, lending subtle weight. Lush, cinematic exclamations have come courtesy of the brass and string sections of the Bulgarian Symphonic Orchestra, which expands the overall sound to include as many instruments as possible.
Unbelievably, the song began in a vortex of experimental guitar virtuosity in Belfast when Warren was a student. The updated take on “Thinking Of You” highlights his growth as a songwriter while retaining the earnestness that defined its original form. Warren calls it “an awkward love song written by someone who doesn’t really know how to process those emotions in real life,” a vulnerability that adds to its magnetism.
Produced with long-time collaborator Joe Egan and painstakingly mixed and mastered by Aidan Cunningham, the track traverses the tightrope between polished production and organic sound. Warren’s conscious decision to be less present on social media in exchange for artistic integrity makes his music feel even more magnetic. It forces his audience to listen to it rather than be distracted by gimmicks.
“Thinking Of You” is a testament to Colm Warren’s incredible ability to enmesh timeless stories within his music, one that has left listeners both touched and looking forward to what will come next in his catalog.
Connect with Colm Warren: Instagram
