Irish indie-pop act modernlove. are still a young band, but they're generating buzz that extends far beyond the United Kingdom. Hailing from Drogheda, modernlove. features members Barry Lally (lead vocals and guitar), Graham Fagan (guitar, synths and vocals), Danny Rooney (bass, synth, and vocals), and Cian McCluskey (drums and vocals).
The band launched their very first single, "Us," in 2018. Soon enough, they were performing at festivals, including Electric Picnic and Neighbourhood Weekender. Modernlove. released their debut EP, monochrome blue, in 2021, featuring hits like "2 Missed Calls," "lmk (if you wanna see me)," and "Liquorice." The success of those singles earned modernlove. a listing as "Ones to Watch" on the Official Charts; they were also named "Irish Music Acts To Listen To" in 2022 by The Irish Times. Along with strong radio play, the band did live sessions on BBC Introducing and Seconds Away with Gemma Bradley.
In summer 2022, the band released another EP, Oh My Mind, via Akira Records. Explaining the lead single, modernlove. told Hot Press: "Oh My Mind explores the modern-day neuroses of young people and the mental health challenges brought upon them by pop culture, the internet and most recently, the coronavirus lockdowns. I think we all went a little mad over lockdown and most of this EP was written in that state of social isolation. Without distraction or release from cycles of negative thought you can begin to spiral to the point of derealisation and being in a constant state of panic."
They continued: "But then we kinda juxtaposed that by a brighter and more playful sonic composition. I think as young people, we tend to joke about our mental health as a way of relating to one another and not feeling so alone in all of it. So it felt natural to write a poppy, upbeat song about such dark themes rather than treating them with a forced solemnity and formality."
Following the release of Oh My Mind, the band released new singles "Take Me Far Away" and "until my heart stops beating." In 2022, modernlove. embarked on their first UK and Ireland tour, with a spot on the lineup at the Treefort Music Festival in downtown Boise, Idaho, in March 2023.