For Those I Love - You Stayed/To Live

For Those I Love is the pseudonym of Dublin-based songwriter/producer/vocalist David Balfe. Recording was under way for this album when Paul Curran, his best friend and fellow member of Burnt Out killed himself.

The resulting album is a tapestry of spoken word poetry, clips of voicenotes from friends on WhatsApp (including Curran) and sounds that draw on memories of driving around at night with mixtapes of The Streets, Burial and Mount Kimbie, ‘For Those I Love’ conjures up all the emotions of an illegal rave (before, during and after), while celebrating friendship and reflecting the true colour of urban life.

It is hop/hop, indie, electronic, trancey.... and it is great, in my opinion. It is not only an immaculate debut, but a beautiful record that speaks to anyone who’s ever loved and lost, anyone who might be mourning or just processing the days of youthful abandon, or perhaps those who need reminding that you can’t have shadows without the light.

It was a tie between You Stayed/To Live and Birthday/The Pain for which track to go with, but I have gone for You Stayed/To Live this week. What I will say is that it might not initially feel like your thing for some. Persevere. You won't regret it.