Joe Echo

Ciaran Gribbins is in a good position right now: rebranded as Joe Echo, and fresh off the back of a great summer - including playing alongside the likes of Paul McCartney, Peter Green and Echo and the Bunnymen - the talented troubadour from Northern Ireland is primed to make a big splash in the UK as his presence grows. With a strong voice and a keen understanding of the songwriting process, we are not looking at a pop flash-in-the-pan, either; Joe Echo has recently helped co-write the Madonna hit "Celebration" and penned several tunes for upcoming Irish comedy "Killing Bono", proving his talent stretches further than merely a pretty face and being in tune.

The new single is called "Wonderful Way", and is an excellent starting point for newcomers to Joe; a simple, understated yet bouncy piece of indie, that veers towards pop without actually crossing the line. Strutting along the fine line between poignant and fun, "Wonderful Way" has a fantastic chorus that evokes memories of (dare I say it?) early U2, without coming across as a rip off. Indeed, Joe has managed to take a familiar sound (think Stereophonics circa ´99, or perhaps even Snow Patrol) and twist it into something fresh, yet decidedly direct; a snorting slice of summery indie with a darker underbelly exposing the soulful depth of the subject matter. A great tune, and worthy of many an iPod.

I´ve also got a copy of The Heart That Knows Desire, probably a better representation of the Joe Echo sound: a chugging, pulsating electropop track with a fantastic clear overlay of Ciarans own voice, sounding one moment like Mogwai (without the need for the musical theatrics) and the next like New Order, yet somehow still maintaining a distinct sound to call their own. Indeed, THTKD has that tip-of-the-tongue recollection, whereby you can sing along by the second chorus, and yet not be bored by the tenth listen on the trot. A wonderful layering of sounds, whilst resisting the urge to get carried away as resulted in a fantastically balanced track that succeeds where many contemporaries fail: namely, the need to use every sound and every track on the mixing desk to end up with a tune that loses its way.

Joe Echo seems to only have everything to throw away now: a continuation of this standard of work can only propel Ciaran properly into the stark headlights of mainstream music, and his talent would certainly allow him to stand strong alongside his contemporaries. Just look at the myriad of YouTube videos, whether covers or original tracks (particularly the incredible "Amazing Grace" with the Inishowen Gospel Choir, evoking memories of Jeff Buckley), to see the potential here for some serious long term appeal. I´m certainly going to catch him next time he breezes along the South coast.