Ronan Furlong is back with some depth far beyond the surface. “Living In The Underground,” the most recent and last single before his forthcoming album, “Elysium,” is the sort of beautifully stripped-down acoustic ballad that says a lot by being basic. Anchored in emotional candor and meditative songwriting, the Irish singer-songwriter reasserts why there’s a place in pop music for his art beyond the mainstream.

Furlong immerses us in a musical world that is intimate, unrefined, and completely unpretentious. His vocals are earnest and close, and the felt-good/heard melodic thread results in a uniquely bonding experience, creating an immediately memorable song. But it’s the soul-searching lyrical heft that makes “Living In The Underground” stick, delivered with vulnerability and determination.

Sparse in arrangement, the production, courtesy of Brendan Carthy at Orchard Studios, is just enough to bolster the emotion without overwhelming it. The understated but purposeful drumming selections also lend a rhythmic sub-pulse that propels the track without undermining the song’s meditative feel. It’s the sort of meticulous craftsmanship that invites you not only to hear the music, but also to feel it. The note-perfect guitar work that is Furlong’s trademark is there as always, not as a slick, soulless, money-driven showcase, but as a bedrock for the song’s message. Every note, every word, and every pause is deliberate, meant to suggest, not impress.

For the last chapter leading up to Elysium’s release, “Living In The Underground” is an intense teaser of what to expect. A slow-burning meditation on resilience and the unwavering desire to paint the world in the same colors it reflects, Ronan Furlong’s new single, the lead song off his forthcoming album, “Elysium,” “Living In The Underground” is a strong introduction to an artist hell-bent on staying true to his own muses, even when they lie far from the blinding lights of a television camera. For anyone who enjoys music that feels truly aching, this is Furlong’s latest statement to the world, beyond just a song. And if this single is any indication, “Elysium” is looking like one very special record.

Connect with Ronan Furlong on Instagram – @ronan.furlong.16

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