Dublin-based singer/songwriter Mick Rochford has released his third single of 2026, ‘Sticks and Stones’ – a heartfelt pop-rock ballad that explores the lasting impacts of bullying.
Built on a shimmery acoustic guitar and a simple drumbeat, what makes the track stand out is the tinny country-like slide lead guitar. It’s not too overpowering, but still ties everything together.
In the lyrics, Rochford takes from past experiences with bullying, and the lasting effects they continue to have on him, along with stories shared by those close to him.
Despite the heavy meaning behind the song, Rochford manages to make it feel resilient and hopeful. The aim of the track is to raise awareness, encouraging discussion around bullying and its lifelong impact affecting people of all ages, rather than dwelling on past experiences.
Overall, I think the track is a pretty basic, simple rock ballad that essentially does the job; you can sway along to it and empathise with the lyrics, yet to me it still feels like it lacks a bit of depth because of its simplicity. On the other hand, that simplicity is also what makes the track work.
With it already being a busy 2026 for Rochford, I’m looking forward to seeing what he goes on to do next.
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