Cliffords Challenge Stereotypes and Celebrate Outsiders on Energetic New Single 'Rod For My Back'
Cork indie four-piece Cliffords have returned with their first new track of the year, 'Rod For My Back', tackling cultural stereotypes and the feeling of being an outsider.
🎵MusicPhoto: NME
Key points
- Cliffords released their new single 'Rod For My Back' as their first music of the year.
- Frontwoman Iona Lynch wrote the track about being an outsider and confronting Irish stereotypes abroad.
- The band spent months writing new material and is currently recording in the studio with eyes on a potential full-length album.
Irish indie group Cliffords have officially released their latest single, 'Rod For My Back', marking their first new material since their 2025 track 'Marsh'. The energetic song pairs a driving, gritty guitar riff with captivating vocal melodies, showcasing the band at their most explosive while delivering a pointed message about prejudice and national identity.
Frontwoman Iona Lynch explained that the track was inspired by feeling misunderstood and commodified, noting her experiences growing up as a queer woman who did not fit traditional norms in Cork. She also touched upon the cultural box the band encountered while touring the UK, where their distinct identities were often generalized.
Following a busy touring schedule that included supporting major acts like Mumford & Sons and Florence + The Machine, the four-piece spent months writing material between Cork and Blackpool. Keyboardist Locon O’Toole hinted that the band is currently working on new music in the studio, raising the possibility of a forthcoming debut album.
Fans eager to hear more from the group can look forward to new releases throughout 2027 as the band builds upon their previous EPs, Strawberry Scented and Salt of the Lee.
Source NME — nme.com/news/music/cliffords-celebrate-outsiders-and-fight-irish-st… ↗
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