By Lily Cresswell

Dublin based singer-songwriter Lucy McWilliams has followed-up on the success of 2023 release ‘Plastic’ with new single ‘Follow Me’. Imbued with desire and anguish, the track is deliciously melancholic. 

Opening with McWilliams’ vocals alone, a deep sense of vulnerability from the singer is already felt, with the introspective lyrics ‘Maybe it’s my time to be loved, can you teach me how?’ echoing this theme. Bordering on self-pitying, the lyrics paint a picture of a protagonist searching for love and practically begging their beaux to ‘please just stay’. McWilliams uses breathy and aching vocals to proliferate these feelings, drawing out sympathy from the listener who senses the emotional agony felt by the singer. 

Surrounding the vocals, and giving them their well-deserved platform, is a simple accompaniment of guitar, drums, and washed-out synths. Though uncomplicated, the guitars have been used well to cut through the mix, with the sharp twangs intertwining and ringing out around the vocals. What really lightens the track, however, is the unexpected beat that forces the track along. What could easily have become another drawn-out acoustic ballad, has been given lift by the fast-paced drums that become unassumingly integral to ‘Follow Me’.

Bordering on the repetitive, ‘Follow Me’ is illuminated by oozing vocal tones and well-crafted supporting instrumentation which gives listeners a reason to indeed ‘stay’ with McWilliams throughout the new single.