30. September 2026
Home » Music & Media » Media Review » Kodaline – We Were Only Young
Media Review

Kodaline – We Were Only Young

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Kodaline - We Were Only Young

Kodaline - We Were Only Young
3.8

Rating

 3.8/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Beaitiful sound
  • Great instrumental and vocal skolls.

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Monotoei Stundeu

Apart from two appearances in my Songs of the Week, the Irish band Kodaline did not draw too much attention on Flyctory.com so far. That’s a shame, as the band had chart-topping singles and albums in their 21 year old history. On 2nd October 2026, they share a new album, We Were Only Young. It is the first full duration record by the quartet since 2020. Here is my review.

 

Kodaline – About The Artists

Kodaline are an Irish indie folk and indie rock band. They have been founded in Swords, right North of Dublin Airport (DUB), in 2005. Two of the band members, singer Steve Garrigan (also piano, guitar) and drummer Vincent May, already know each other from childhood times. The band has been formed together with Mark Predergast (lead guitar) and Connor Linnane (bass). Linnane has been replaced by Jason Boland.

Their first major appearances included a presence at Irish national TV. In the talent show You’re a Star, they finished as runners-up. Under that name, they even had a domestic chart-topping song, Give Me A Minute. Their debut album In a Perfect World, released 2013, they succeeded globally. Apart from Ireland and the United Kingdom, the album also went Top 10 in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The first single release of that album, High Hopes, topped the Irish single charts. Overall, there are five Kodaline albums so far.

 

Kodaline – We Were Only Young – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 40 minutes.

1. Who Will Save You Now

Who Will Save You Now is a gentle musical gate into Kodaline’s 2026 album. At the beginning of the song, Steve Garrigan’s vocals have a very spiritual touch. However, the chorus contrasts with rhythmic, marching styles and intense backing vocals. Overall, the song is a catching first step into We Were Only Young.

2. We Were Only Young

After the opener, the record presents three songs, which have been published before the album release date. The first one of these is the title track. Even though there is a contrast between the fine stanzas and the energetic chorus again, the song feels more harmonic. Strongs add the right touch.

3. Back To Me

The rather quiet setting of Back To Me leads to a very personal and intimate listen. You know I would // Go back – am I losing you?, Kodaline asks early in the song. Nonetheless, there is some hope in this desperate situation as well. Hopeless don’t tell me it’s hopeless is one of the strongest messages sent from the third track.

4. Without You

For the first time in my life
I feel as if I’m floating
And it’s a different kind of high
I’ve never felt before

After desperation and a complicated relationship, Kodaline continues with a beautiful, gentle love song. You keep the fingers crossed that the protagonist of the song is never Without you, my love.

5. Get Me High

With Get Me High, We Were Only Young presents its second previously unreleased song. Again, the fragility in Garrigan’s voice strikes. It feels so vulnerable, but also very truthful and trustworthy. After a slower start, the song more and more leads towards the ease of a pop track.

6. All I Ever Need Is You

‘Cause all I ever need in my life is you – ain’t that one of the most lovely way to talk (and sing) about love? These 2:15 minutes are definitely a fine add-on to your romantic playlist.

7. Vultures

After these very fine and emotional moments, Vulture feels like a musical wake-up call. The single release is so catching, so energetic. Drummer Vincent May is much more in focus compared to the songs before. You definitely might be dancing while listening to the album.

8. Last Forever

From Last Forever to the end of the album, there are solely previously unreleased songs from now on. The slowly marching style of the beat continues after the stanza. Even though being not as striking as the song before, the song lives from its dramatic work of the basking musicians.

9. Learn To Lose

Garrigan’s melancholic  mood of this record defines the beginning of the album. However, the chorus presents a very rich set of instruments in later parts. In these parts, the song feels hymnic and energetic.

I learn to lose
Still hoping that you’ll walk
into the room But the world keeps turning
Learning real love’s cruel

10. Hindsight

Hindsight feels rather similar to Learn to Lose. Thus, this song is individually a very good one, In the context of the album, though, I feel that Hindsight is simply the weaker options.

11. It’s Not Over

It’s not over ’til it’s over – that the key phrase of the penultimate song. Again the Irish band presents a fine song. Melodically, though, it feels a bit too familiar.

12. The One For Me

The One For Me concludes the album. Already in the first lines, the Irish state And if I had a choice, I would leave you a standing theatre. The chucker out closes the album in style.

 

Kodaline – We Were Only Young – Spotify

I will add the Spotify widget once the album has been published.

 

Kodaline – We Were Only Young – My View

Kodaline’s 2026 album illustrates their songwriting and instrumental skills. Individually, the songs come with interesting plots and breaks. However, some songs feel rather similar. That prevents a better rating in my review.

Favorite Song: Who Will Save You Now

 

Flyctory.com in Dublin

Here are all Flyctory.com postings related to Dublin:

 

Folk Music Posts in 2026

Here are all my Music & Media posts related to folk music published in 2026:

You might also like

Mrs. Greenbird – Love You To The Bone

Delta Spirit – What is There

Josh Island – Imaginary Borders

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *