David Balfe, the visionary artist behind the project For Those I Love, made a striking debut with an album that resonated as a singular, all-consuming storm of grief. This raw and unfiltered spoken-word deluge served as an intimate tribute to his late friend and collaborator, Paul Curran. Balfe used this creative endeavour as a means to navigate his personal tragedy, expressing emotions that were both tumultuous and cathartic. To create a sequel to such a profound work would have meant diving back into the depths of that emotional storm. Instead, he chose to confront the aftermath and what it left behind.
With his second album, Carving The Stone, Balfe bravely steps into this altered landscape, surveying not only his own lingering grief but also the broader societal wreckage that has emerged in its wake. This record shifts its focus from personal loss to a more expansive and political narrative—delving into the loss of a generation’s future, the soulful essence of a city, and the vitality of its cultural spirit. The album’s inception began while Balfe was confined to his modest Dublin apartment, where he meticulously chronicled the “atmospheric pressure” of modern life into his phone’s notes app. These fragmented thoughts and observations were later transformed into a compelling, rhythmic narrative that defines the album.
The soundscape of Carving The Stone is a dynamic composition crafted from the remnants of this aftermath. Sweeping strings reminiscent of clearing skies create a sense of release, while jagged guitars act as bolts of lingering lightning, injecting emotional tension. Sharp synths echo the feeling of persistent, cold rain—a reminder of the harsh realities of life. Balfe’s voice remains the steadfast anchor throughout the album, a resolute presence that confronts the complexities of gentrification, the relentless march of time, and the haunting sense of loss. The album opens with a jarring moment of panic; Balfe’s hushed, vulnerable voice emerges from a haze of ethereal synths, capturing the anxiety of awakening to the “dawn of loss”—a quiet sorrow for the time that has been irrevocably taken.
On the title track, Balfe delivers his most powerful narrative yet, his voice slicing through a turbulent, trip-hop rhythm like the steady voice of a survivor telling his tale. In stark contrast, “No Scheme” erupts as a sudden burst of lightning, representing a moment of raw, unfettered anger. Here, he juxtaposes the wild energy of youthful aspirations against the crushing weight of adult disillusionment, lamenting the monotony of grown-up life with the poignant realisation that “we’ve all got real jobs and we’re bored.” Yet, the record also finds moments of solace. In “Civic,” glistening piano melodies entwine with shimmering cymbals, akin to a sunbeam breaking through the clouds—offering a tangible reminder of past joy and standing as a defiant act against life’s transitory nature.
As the album unfolds, it continues to examine emotional wreckage on a personal level. “The Ox / The Afters” serves as a cinematic character study of an aspiring boxer, set against a rhythm imbued with a dual sense of hope and the psychological weight of past struggles—addressing critical themes of male mental health. Meanwhile, “Mirror” descends into a darker, more fragmented landscape; claustrophobic synths layer over a haunting vocal delivery, plunging into the depths of anxiety, online isolation, and the search for solace through self-medication.
The album’s profound revelation arrives with its closing line: “I came back to see the stone had moved.” This poignant statement symbolises the irreversible change that remains in the wake of the storm. It encapsulates the idea that while grief and struggle are permanent fixtures in our lives, they too are subject to evolution and reinterpretation over time. Carving The Stone stands as an unyielding document of modern Ireland—a testament to Balfe’s remarkable ability to construct something resilient and beautiful from the ruins of grief and the echoes of political strife. This album not only narrates a personal story but also speaks to the collective consciousness and the enduring spirit of a community in transition.
