Rising country artist Gareth is fast becoming one of the genre’s most exciting new voices, blending the storytelling soul of Nashville with the heart and grit of his Northern Irish roots. Born and raised in the small town of Castlederg, Gareth grew up surrounded by the sounds of George Jones, Hank Williams Jr., and traditional Irish folk, shaping a sound that feels both timeless and modern. His journey from posting heartfelt covers online to headlining stages around the world has been remarkable, with a viral rendition of Noah Kahan’s ‘Stick Season' serving as his breakout moment. Now based in Nashville, Gareth’s music has connected with fans across the globe, earning him over 70 million streams, editorial support from flagship playlists like New Boots and Today’s Country, and airplay on SiriusXM’s The Highway and major country radio stations in the UK.
His new EP, ‘Bluebird,' out today, October 24, 2025, marks a bold new chapter for the rising star. The project captures Gareth’s signature mix of tender vulnerability and soaring melody, showcasing an artist who can move effortlessly between introspective ballads and radio-ready anthems. Currently on his debut U.S. headline tour, Gareth will return home to the UK and Ireland in December, where he’ll cap off a landmark year with his first-ever hometown headline show in Castlederg—proof that his star is only continuing to rise.
‘Bluebird' marks another confident step forward for the Northern Irish singer-songwriter as he continues carving out his unique space in Nashville’s ever-evolving country scene. Across seven tracks, he blends polished commercial production with deeply personal storytelling, exploring themes of love, self-discovery and home. There’s a clear balance here between Nashville’s sleek pop-country sensibility and the emotional depth of Gareth’s Irish roots — a blend that gives ‘Bluebird' both a universal appeal and a distinct sense of place. While not every track hits with the same impact, the EP as a whole shows real growth in both his songwriting and vocal performance, positioning him as an artist with both heart and ambition.
Opening with ‘Born Yesterday,' Gareth sets the tone with a shimmering, radio-ready anthem co-written with Nashville heavyweights Josh Osborne, Zach Crowell, and ex longtime Keith Urban guitarist Jerry Flowers. Smooth guitar lines and a lush chorus carry his rich, expressive vocals as he sings, “I love like I was born yesterday and the first thing I saw was your face.” It’s a polished slice of modern country pop, somewhere between Keith Urban’s heartfelt romanticism and the glossy optimism of Dan + Shay. It’s easy to imagine this one lighting up country radio — it’s vibrant, catchy and perfectly tailored for the mainstream.
Things get a little blurry on ‘Stampede,' where Gareth leans into the western-pop sound currently very on-trend thanks to artists like Shaboozey and Dasha. A galloping rhythm and twangy guitars ground a melody that’s otherwise pure pop gold. “You got me running wild like a stampede,” he sings with playful swagger, his voice riding over the mix with confidence. The track’s clever blend of genre and groove captures the momentum of new love while keeping one boot firmly in the dust of the open plains — a fun, infectious highlight that shows Gareth knows how to ride the wave of what’s trending right now although the elephant in the room asks whether this is an authentic sound that will stand the test of time or whether it's something Nashville producers are chasing right now in order to try and crack the more mainstream, casual Country-adjacent fans.
‘Shoulders I Stand On' shifts gears entirely, revealing a more introspective side. The song finds Gareth reflecting on his upbringing and the people who shaped him back home in Castlederg. “It’s about the people and places that are part of me,” he’s said, and that sincerity rings true. With plaintive pedal steel and an anthemic build, it feels deeply personal — more Springsteen-esque than stadium country — and marks one of the EP’s most emotionally authentic moments. It’s the song that best connects his roots to his Nashville journey, grounding the glossier production elsewhere with something real and human.
The duet ‘What Your Love Has Done to Me,' featuring British soul icon Joss Stone, brings an unexpected and refreshing change of tone. Beginning with soft acoustic strumming, Gareth sings with tenderness and vulnerability about transformation through love. Stone’s entrance in the second verse adds warmth and grit as she pleads, “Just hold my heart with your love.” Their voices blend beautifully on the chorus, soaring over lush, cinematic production that leans more toward pop than country. It’s a standout moment — emotional, organic and radio-ready — even if it edges away from the sound that’s been most identifiably Gareth’s so far but it's a clever move, potentially opening him up to a whole new set of fans.
‘Long Story Short' and the title track ‘Bluebird' offer two contrasting snapshots of his artistry. The former is a smooth, upbeat country-pop tune reminiscent of early Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban, with Gareth looking back on a lost love: “She could have been the one,” he sighs amid bright guitars and a summer-ready beat. Meanwhile, ‘Bluebird' hits like it is the central point and heart and soul of the EP — a bluesy, reflective ballad that finds Gareth urging a lover, “Don’t go too high or too far away.” It’s intimate, heartfelt and vocally impressive, proving he can deliver subtlety and power in equal measure.
Closing with a cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ ‘Iris,' Gareth pays tribute to one of his formative influences. While it’s faithful to the original — all soaring choruses and quiet-loud dynamics — it doesn’t quite reveal anything new about him as an artist. Still, it serves as a nostalgic nod to his generation and the emotional sincerity that underpins much of his work.
Ultimately, ‘Bluebird' is a strong, polished collection that showcases both Gareth’s commercial potential and his growing artistic identity. At its best — on tracks like ‘Bluebird' and ‘Shoulders I Stand On' — it feels deeply personal, bridging the Atlantic between Nashville polish and Northern Irish grit. In other moments, it occasionally chases trends rather than sets them and feels a little Nashville-by-numbers but even then, Gareth’s sincerity and powerhouse voice keep the songs grounded. With this EP, he continues to prove he’s more than a viral sensation — he’s an artist on the rise, finding his voice in the space between where he comes from and where he’s headed next.
Tracklist: 1. Born Yesterday 2. Stampede 3. Shoulders I Stand On 4. Look What Your Love Has Done to Me 5. Long Story Short 6. Bluebird 7. Iris Record Label: BMG Release Date: 24th October Buy ‘Bluebird' right here
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