With ‘Magpie with a Mullet’, Niall McNamee unleashes one of the most joyful moments from his debut ‘Glass and Mirrors’. It’s a track that barrels out of the speakers with all the chaos and charm of a ceilidh, held together by irresistible melody and sheer, brilliant heart.
McNamee’s knack for merging Celtic soul with a modern alternative rock sound is in full technicolour here. Powered by stomping bodhrán, fiddle that practically levitates off the fretboard, and penny whistle lines that bounce like they’re daring you not to dance, ‘Magpie with a Mullet’ captures the wild romance and rough-edged humour that define his song writing. It’s scrappy, soaring, and life-affirming, exactly the kind of tune that reminds you folk music is at its best when it’s a little unhinged.
Vocally, McNamee channels that Shane MacGowan-esque blend of grit and vulnerability, delivering lyrics with the swagger of someone who’s lived every late-night story he tells. The energy is infectious, this is pub-floor-sticky, heart-on-sleeve, scream-the-chorus-with-your-pals folk, polished by its own sincerity.
As a preview of ‘Glass and Mirrors’, a collection shaped by London’s bustle, Irish romanticism, and the scrapes of a life lived loudly, ‘Magpie with a Mullet’ stands tall. It’s a reminder that McNamee isn’t just an actor stepping into music; he’s a songwriter with an instinct for uplifting, communal brilliance. It’s absolutely fabulous, absolutely gigantic, and absolutely made to be danced to.
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