Julian Laws
A Popular Music (Falmouth University) graduate currently based just outside of Bristol. A voracious reader, meticulous Letterboxd reviewer and lover of all things music. Consistently championing often ignored upcoming artists from Cornwall and the South West music scene to show what amazing talent can be found outside of the big cities!
Ahead of their upcoming album ‘Masquerade’, out on February 13th 2026, Cork’s indie rock outfit Cardinals – release a new intimate single of the same name, via Young Records
Front man, Evan Manning, explains the single as ‘peeling back the masquerade and the facade we all put up’. This song is an ode to that acceptance and understanding of revealing your genuineness, to find hope and inspiration in your authenticity and be willing to peel back the masks that we are all prone to putting on.
‘Masquerade‘ opens with a synth sound which diminishes and plummets the listener into the band’s infamous accordion that drones and swells with the weight of the song’s meaning. Acting like a woodwind instrument, the accordion breaths life into the song – it has a knack to making the song feel personal and confessional. Almost as if Manning and the band are directly addressing you. The drums are catchy, crisp and propel the song along effortlessly. Paired with the chugging guitar that snugly fits into the beat, this song becomes a sum of all its parts and cohesively buoys the listener along
The upcoming album promises to have contrasting A and B sides, a subtle nod to the bands love of vinyl. Placed third on the track list, the song oozes with pensiveness and thought provoking lyrics, which can only mean the catharsis found in this single and the exploration of peoples facades and ‘Masquerade‘ is going to be populated throughout the whole album.
With lyrics like “You can’t bundle faith It will dry like hate”, it’s meaningful subject matter and tasteful instrumentation, this single and Cardinals‘ upcoming album promises to be journey of understanding, of shedding your defensive layers and laying bare your faults and success for all to see – for the feeling of catharsis and the joy, relief and freedom it conjures.
Listeners are in for a treat, not only when listening to this track but also for when the upcoming album ‘Masquerade’ greets our ears on 13th February 2026.
Listen to ‘Masquerade’ here:
Catch Cardinals at the following:
22nd September – Bristol, Strange Brew
23rd September 2025 – Southampton, Joiners
25th September 2025 – Norwich, Waterfront Studio
26th September 2025 – Leeds, Belgrave
27th September 2025- Manchester, Yes Pink Room
29th September 2025- Brighton, Patterns
30th September 2025 – London, Moth Club
24th November 2025 – Paris, Point Ephemere
26th November 2025 – Berlin, Kantine
27th November 2025 – Düsseldorf, Ratinger Hof
28th November 2025 – Gent, Trefpunt
29th November 2025 – Nijmegen, Doornroosje
30th November 2025 – Amsterdam, Tolhuistuin