Singer-songwriter Eugene McGuinness returns to prelude his forthcoming album with Seascape, a stunning new single. Evocative, illustrative and instantly likeable.

Release Date: 24th July 2025

Label: Docklands Speed Shop & Mellowtone Records

Formats: Digital

WELCOME BACK!

London-born Eugene McGuinness has been around for quite some time – in one form or another. He first entered public awareness with his debut EP, The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness, back in 2007 and he’s since released a whole string of recordings, most recently, Suburban Gothic II (Beyond the Neon) in 2021. Along the way, he’s performed alongside his brother Dominic and mates Malcolm Lunan and John Barrett in Eugene and the Lizards, but things have been distinctly quiet of late, as far as Eugene McGuinness has been concerned.

Indeed, Eugene had almost accepted that his career in music was over when his deal with Domino Records expired and normal life started to exert its pressures. He wasn’t sorry about that, either, but – happily – music is, once again, becoming part of Eugene’s life. A new album is, we believe, on the horizon and the first fruits of Eugene’s recent burst of musical fertility is now with us, in the shape of new single, Seascape. And it’s a corker!

INSTANTLY LIKEABLE

Seascape was conceived in the North of Ireland and explores, according to Eugene, “…the yearning to feel something – awareness, presence – when most of the time you’re too busy to feel anything at all. It’s about the pursuit of that… or how those magical moments can just happen.”

It’s an instantly likeable song. Eugene makes no secret of his admiration for writers like Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and Rufus Wainwright and the influence of each of these is detectable in the form and structure of Seascape. Acoustic guitar, violins and piano pave the way for Eugene’s vivid vocals. Seascape is such an appropriate title for a song that evokes vivid oceanic imagery and, with lyrics like: “And the sky is in the ocean, and I see the ocean crashing in your eyes,” the listener is taken on a voyage that seems to skim smoothly over the crests of the ocean’s waves.

BRING IT ON…!

And the sound quality of Seascape is exemplary – the instruments even shimmer in places! If Seascape really is the prelude to a new Eugene McGuinness album, then all I can say is: “Bring it on!”

It isn’t typical of Eugene’s new direction, but you can feel the force of his mighty voice as he sings 2021 single, Sugerplum. watch the official video below:

Eugene McGuinness: Instagram / Bandcamp

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube