Reviewed by Veronika van der Walt.
Irish singer-songwriter Shirley Callaghan returns with a striking new single, “Quit Fooling Me”, a song that blends emotional storytelling with sharp social commentary. Known for writing straight from the heart, Shirley once again channels loss, disappointment, and the weight of a fractured society into a piece of music that feels both intimate and universal.
Shirley’s previous releases — including It Will Be Burned and Baby Blue — explored themes of human behaviour, toxic relationships, genocide, and war. But Quit Fooling Me pulls these threads together, confronting a world where corruption thrives, truth feels slippery, and the youth and unemployed suffer the most.
I was pleasantly surprise by the more techno feel to this song. Built around a pulsing melodic guitar riff and a steady, hypnotic groove, the track moves with an almost defiant rhythm. It reflects the confusion and disconnection of modern life — where people are treated as replaceable, and digital distraction erodes our ability to love honestly. Yet despite the heaviness, the song refuses to surrender to despair. Its message is clear: “It’s not time to give up.”
What makes Quit Fooling Me truly powerful is its balance between personal vulnerability and global reflection. The title becomes both a plea — a request for honesty in a relationship — and a protest against a society built on manipulation and lies. You don’t know who you can trust anymore…
The song also carries a deep emotional weight behind the scenes. It is dedicated to Abe Silva (1971–2024), songwriter, producer and friend, who had been working on the track with Stephen O’Malley before his passing. His influence is palpable — there is a kind of spiritual honesty in the production, as if the song is completing a conversation left unfinished.
Shirley has often been compared to icons such as Kate Bush, Sinéad O’Connor, PJ Harvey, Bob Dylan, Michael Stipe, and most notably Dolores O’Riordan — and here, those comparisons feel well-earned. Her voice carries the haunting clarity and emotional weight that defines timeless artists, yet she remains unmistakably herself: atmospheric, poetic, and fearlessly direct.
With a new album on the horizon, Shirley Callaghan is poised for a significant breakthrough. Described as creating “hypnotic and strikingly haunting, dark and atmospheric music,” she continues to stand out as one of Ireland’s most compelling contemporary voices.
“Quit Fooling Me” is more than a song — it is a plea, a warning, and a quiet act of hope in a world that desperately needs it.
Rest in peace Abe Silva (1971–2024).
Social Media
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