Orla Gartland has shared details about her upcoming second studio album, entitled ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’, which she describes as “bolder” and “more intentional” than her debut record. The Irish singer-songwriter will address themes of “girlhood and womanhood” on the album, which is set for release on October 4. Gartland explained that the album’s title was central to its narrative as the final track of the record is also called ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’. She noted that she wanted to name both the song and the album this before they existed, whereas her debut album title came from a lyric.
Gartland compared the album creation process to her previous one, saying that the second album took considerably longer and required more commitment because of her busy schedule last year. She expressed pride in herself for pushing forward and completing the album on her own terms. Gartland also discussed her inspiration for the album’s superhero theme, which she found attractive because of the relatable imagery of women doing it all, as the album’s title suggests.
In addition to exploring themes of womanhood and girlhood, Gartland set out to develop her skills as a producer. She co-produced her first album and worked to take more control over the production of the second one. She explained that she found inspiration in female artists who take an overarching involvement in their projects, particularly St. Vincent and Caroline Polachek. Gartland was impressed by Polachek’s ambitious and intentional visuals, as well as St. Vincent’s coolness and its capacity to influence projects from writing to mixing.
Gartland also talked about collaborating for the first time with another artist, Declan McKenna, on ‘Late to the Party.’ She spoke highly of McKenna’s artistic vision, classic vibe, and prolific musical output. She also discussed forming collaborative group FIZZ and how the experience helped her develop as a decisive artist. She explained that working in a group with four singers made her more assertive about her ideas and pushed her to speak up regarding all aspects of the process.
Finally, Gartland discussed her motivation to be unapologetically herself. While she had previously felt subtle pressure to make her music more “palatable,” she recognizes now that she feels more confident and equipped to be less palatable on her own terms. Gartland says she doesn’t want to be a “nice, palatable artist or songwriter” and is happy to have control over her projects. The album ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’ is available for pre-order now and is set to be released on October 4 through Gartland’s own label, New Friends
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