The depth of emotion communicated in the songs of Conor O’Brien is reflected in his two Ivor Novello awards, for Best Song – “Becoming A Jackal”, and Best Album – Darling Arithmetic, which formalised his reputation as one of the leading songwriters of his generation. Of even greater significance is the relationship Villagers have built with their audience, one coloured by a great sense of communal catharsis and the capacity for articulating the affairs of the heart that are too often left unspoken.

Following the success of Villagers’ fifth album, Fever Dreams (2021), O’Brien returns in 2024 with his sixth studio album, the intimate That Golden Time. The new album unfurls his trademark melodic flair, showcasing his gift for composing arrangements that are both vivid and subtle. His lyrics couch hopes, fears, and dreams in richly absorbing poetry.