Declan Welsh & The Decadent West manifest the chaotic experience of isolation on It’s Been A Year

It’s Been A Year is a proud and self-declared lockdown release, charting Welsh’s inner experiences in a loud but fragile manner. A consistently outspoken artist reevaluates his role in the music world here; with a history of being outward-looking and outward-spoken, a fresh songwriting style manages to become more cryptic despite its severely personal nature. "Vladmir" explores such lows with a tone and melody that still evokes a high, as depraved introversion births a feel-good catharsis that becomes more addictive the more you notice it.

Dejected lyrical content and invigorating song structures detail the tumultuous relationship Welsh has had with himself through this time, particularly on highlight "Talking To Myself" which ditches any illusion of glamour for an insightful and exciting self-exposé - an undeniably relatable track for many, with an accompanying video showing that a man singing alone in his shower can accomplish the energy and artistry that many acts strive for.

Questioning not only where he finds himself but also who he has become in this new world and time, It’s Been A Year lays bare the whirlwind of Declan Welsh’s last 18 months and beyond with a pool of thoughts and sounds, swirling in a grounded foundation but reaching for an essential discography of emotions that the six songs themselves serve to help listeners move past.

Dancing between indie, rock and post-punk, this ever-witty and observant EP proves that Declan Welsh & The Decadent West might be switching things up, but they remain sonically cinematic, mainly through the focus on such a pronounced voice and sharp instrumentals that never fail to pull their weight.