There is power in words. Words can raise a flag or make you take a knee. Words are puzzle pieces that we design and control in an effort to make sense of our flaws, the alliances that bind us, and the ambition that define us.
Imagine my pleasant surprise when I was tasked to listen to 14 singles by Cian Ducrot. All ballads. Never have I ever encountered an artist with an ocean of songs about love, breakin-up, heartache, getting back together, and whatever is in between. You go, Cian!
Cian Ducrot is pushing the ballad revolution forward. The Irish singer-songwriter has dropped his debut album, Victory, and it is like a sweet whisper of a romantic, in-your-face conversation. Featuring 14 tracks that are infectious and personal, Cian comes off like a veteran, holding a tight grip on the tone and rhythm of each song. Last week, Victory made headlines when it came in at the Irish Album Chart at #1 and was certified as PLATINUM in Ireland. If there was a race to the top, I am not amazed that the breezily confident vocals of Ducrot made this happen. His songs have a stylistic command and an exquisite story. Each track is an exploration of loneliness, regret, and fundamental narcissism.
Part of the appeal of Victory is its mixture of self-realization, soul-crushing love, and denial. Each track adds weight, using candor and Ducrot’s sweet vocals and lyrics that cut very deep. This album launches with the “Victory” track, where Ducrot writes his own rules as a man in conflict with himself and his feelings. These emotions unabashedly carry over from one track to the next.
Hip-hop-adjacent, Ducrot flirts with the elegance of Ed Sheeran and spoken word poetry. With songwriting that is straightforward and not overtly commercial, Ducrot is effortlessly cool, while having the skill to sing and write with such reverence. When Ducrot belts out one of his many chorus’ he captures every sentimental emotion, which is no easy feat. Flirting with pop and R&B, Ducrot sings with a mixture of self-realization and wisdom, and Victory has set expectations sky-high for his next LP.
Featured Photo Credit: Holly Whittaker