Blue Fish Diamond are one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets. Described by Hot Press as “a bit of a super-group for those in the know in the capital”, the band has been steadily building a reputation since their formation in 2016. Founded by frontman Jim Murphy after he walked away from a 25-year insurance career to pursue music full-time, the group brings together a mix of talented musicians.
The lineup – Jim Murphy on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Matilda O’Mahony on backing vocals, Axel McDonald on lead guitar, Laura Ryder on keys, Ronan Quinn on bass, and Shay Sweeney on drums – is all given space to shine across their new album Radio Silence.
The album opens with “Servants To The Hand” and it’s immediately captivating. There’s a clever stereo trick at the beginning that makes it feel like the song is circling you before it drops in fully. It’s one of those moments that makes you wish every album came with a “listen on headphones” sticker. Murphy’s vocals are grounded and urgent, and when paired with Matilda O’Mahony’s backing vocals in the chorus, the song punches harder. And those lyrics? “History repeats like a bad disease / but no not this time / We are free from all your lies” sets the tone: sharp, socially conscious, and unafraid to go there.
“Stranger Things Have Happened” shows a softer side, with O’Mahony stepping forward vocally and delivering a moving second half. It’s one of those understated songs that sneaks up on you emotionally.
Then comes “Fallen Angel” and as soon as the riff hits, I was sold. The rootsy Americana feel suits the band perfectly and the lines “Good things come to those who wait / Well she’s been waiting for an age” hit hard. I only wish this one were longer because at under three minutes, it flies by too quickly.
Elsewhere, “Gracepark” takes a more introspective tone, letting Murphy’s voice sit above a more spacious instrumental mix. The bridge, where he sings “I’m coming home” over a dreamy soundscape, is subtle but satisfying.
“One More Chance” is Matilda’s moment again. The minimal acoustic arrangement slowly builds and the moment the violin enters, it’s goosebump territory, adding urgency and heartbreak all at once.
“I’ve Got It Made” is another track that starts off slow but builds into something surprisingly layered. Indeed, trumpets burst in near the end, making it one of the most musically fun moments on the album. It’s a great example of how Blue Fish Diamond knows how to play with arrangement and mood.
Later, “Planet Blue” turns up the message with samples (Donald Trump and Greta Thunberg, if my ears are right) layered over a steady folk-rock groove and a reflection on environmental collapse. Next, “The 1980s” feels more like a reflective memory than a standout track, but it serves its place as a moment of lyrical nostalgia. “Tonight” starts off mellow but builds with unexpected urgency thanks to the ever-reliable violin.
The title track “Radio Silence” is good, don’t get me wrong but in an album full of rich and surprising moments, it doesn’t stand out quite as much as I expected for an eponymous track. That said, “Universe” follows with a philosophical, catchy swing, asking “What is life?” and somehow making existential questions feel like a sing-along.
The closer, “I Don’t Know”, ends the album with real momentum. The track is a punk-influenced burst of energy that mirrors the fiery opener and ties the journey together.
Radio Silence feels like the work of a band with nothing to prove, but plenty to say. It’s thoughtful, emotional, at times experimental and above all, honest. Blue Fish Diamond may be a familiar name to gig-goers in Dublin, but this record feels like the one that could get them on a lot more people’s radar.
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