Cork’s own Cardinals have entered 2026 with significant momentum, releasing “I Like You” as the final preview of their debut album, Masquerade. The single is a romantic, accordion-led track that has already established itself as a staple of the band’s live performances. The track marks a pivotal turning point for the five-piece, comprising brothers Euan and Finn Manning, their cousin Darragh, and schoolmates Oskar Gudinovic and Aaron Hurley, acting as the grounding force for the creative sessions that birthed the full-length record.
Frontman Euan Manning had to say the following about their latest release:
“This is the first song we wrote with the album in mind. After a very long period of not working on anything we started and finished this some bright morning last February in our practice studio. It felt cathartic, a completely grounding moment after feeling slightly lost for months.”
On the inspiration for the track’s opening, Manning adds:
“The first lyric is stripped/paraphrased from the tune ‘My Funny Valentine’. I don’t think it was written by Chet Baker but that’s the version we know.”
Masquerade is intentionally structured with a distinct A-side and B-side, a nod to the group’s collective love of vinyl. The record navigates a wide sonic spectrum, pivoting from the brittle honesty of folk to the theatrical melodrama of goth-rock. For a band forged through deep family ties and lifelong friendships, the album represents a bold step forward into the vanguard of the Irish independent rock scene. The LP will be available across all physical formats, including a Rough Trade exclusive Galaxy vinyl and a special edition for Australian fans via Impressed.
