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Photo: Ariel Pedatzur

Irish singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot finally releases his long-awaited single, "Something I Can't Afford." The candid and confessional track, which was entirely written, produced, recorded, and mixed by Ducrot, arrived after he shared an early version on social media, immediately drawing fans' rapturous response. Built on a minimalist arrangement of layered vocals and graceful acoustic guitar, "Something I Can't Afford" packs a tremendous emotional power despite its exquisite subtlety.

The song's raw emotions are laid bare from its very first lyric, with Ducrot's gentle voice questioning, "Why are we fighting? You're all I have, can we just put our troubles to bed and leave it at that?" The track's emotional intensity is heightened by its minimalist arrangement, with the production focusing on Ducrot's lead vocal, acoustic guitar, and layered backing harmonies. Subduded layers of violin float in the background as he croons, "'Cause I do, I really love you / And I know I've never felt this way before... And I know that I won't waste a second more / 'Cause this life's too short/ To lose a moment with you is something I can't afford."

"'Something I Can't Afford' was written in a moment where I was feeling really down about wasting time when fighting with my partner," shares Cian. "I was on a trip to LA, and I had a studio at my accommodation, so I went in and sat at the back of the studio alone with my head resting on my guitar and I just started singing the song you hear today almost word-for-word, it was written in about five minutes, and I didn't really think much of it, but I decided to still record it for some reason. I often have this fear of wasting time with those you love as life is so short and we don't get enough time with anyone we love so whenever there's a silly argument I always feel like it's a waste of something so precious. That's what this song is about, and it came out of an exact moment of that feeling."

Ducrot's signature brand of stripped-back folk-pop rooted in soul-stirring vocal work was previously showcased on his acclaimed debut 2023 album Victory, which went straight to No. 1 in the UK and Ireland. This past Sunday in Port Talbot, Wales, Ducrot the stage at the In It Together Festival, kicking off a highly awaited run of tour dates encompassing outdoor headline shows, including a 20,000-capacity homecoming at St. Anne's Park in Dublin, strong billing at festivals both in the UK and Europe, and select dates as a special guest to Jess Glynne.

Watch the "Something I Can't Afford" lyric video below: