R U A I R I’s debut album “I Hold Your Ghost” feels like opening a diary that was never meant to be hidden away. It’s soft, haunting and deeply personal, yet somehow it pulls you right in and makes you feel part of the story.
The album begins with “A Dream“, a song that immediately sets the tone with its dreamy sound and almost ghostly vocals. It’s followed by “Front Lawn“, a simple but moving acoustic piece that feels timeless, like something you’ve always known. By the time “Seven Years” arrives, you can tell this is a songwriter who knows how to be both raw and captivating. The track carries steady instrumentation and vocals that make every word hit with honesty.
Other highlights include “Inhale“, which carries a haunting atmosphere and “Unholy Water“, where the vocals feel a little more powerful and commanding without losing that quiet intimacy. “Lovers & Saviours” stands out for its tempo and charming touches like handclaps, while “Kilmainham, Maybe“ uses harmonica in a way that stops you in your tracks. The title track, “I Hold Your Ghost” is emotional and moving while “Exeo ” closes the album with a warm and gentle finish.
What makes this debut so special is the way it balances haunting atmospheres with heartfelt lyrics. The production is beautiful without being overdone and the vocals feel raw, real and incredibly deep. For us, this is one of those rare albums that you don’t just listen to, you live inside it for a while. We truly think R U A I R I has one of the most unique and touching voices we’ve heard in a long time, and if this is only the beginning, then the future is going to be even more exciting.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
R U A I R I is a singer/songwriter from Dublin. Having written a debut album as a result of being confined to a bedroom during COVID lockdown in 2020, he proceeded by tackling the next steps as he usually does, in a backward manner. This meant heading to the world-famous Windmill Lane studios to record demos, before ultimately retreating to record the final tracks himself at home over the next couple of years, the result of which was ‘I Hold Your Ghost’. R U A I R I currently lives in Dublin with his partner and collection of race bikes. When not making music he can be found drinking a pint of Guinness or waxing lyrical about good coffee.