Ailbhe Reddy - Kiss Big (2026)


I get what Kiss Big is trying to do, and I respect the honesty behind it, but as a full listen it doesn’t quite hold me. The songwriting is emotionally open and clearly lived-in, yet the album rarely surprises me musically or structurally. It sits comfortably in modern indie-confessional territory, and that comfort is both its strength and its limitation. I’m engaged for individual songs, but across the runtime I start to feel the same emotional temperature repeating itself rather than evolving.

Pros

  1. Direct, sincere lyricism – The feelings are clear, unfiltered, and believable; nothing feels performative.

  2. Strong melodic instincts – Choruses land easily, and a few hooks linger without forcing themselves.

  3. Clean, accessible production – Polished enough to support the songs without drowning them.

Cons

  1. Low musical risk – The arrangements rarely step outside familiar indie-rock/singer-songwriter patterns.

  2. Flat emotional arc – Breakup themes dominate, but without enough contrast or escalation across tracks.

  3. Limited replay pull – Once the sentiments are absorbed, there’s not much left drawing me back in.





Genre: Indie Pop
Country: Ireland

Final Verdict: 58% (Forgettable Album)
Yearly Ranking: 82th / 90

Highlight: Crave


Made me think of:
Phoebe Bridgers
Lucy Dacus
Julien Baker

#newalbum #newalbum2026 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery
#IndiePop #AilbheReddy #Ireland
#LP #Album #release

 

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