Kevin Laughlin is making his entrance. The Donegal singer-songwriter has introduced himself with his debut single “Play It Cool,” a warm, melodic track that pairs sincere songwriting with reflective lyricism.
Drawing inspiration from the timeless craft of artists like James Taylor and Paul Brady, the song offers an authentic first glimpse into Laughlin’s voice, thoughtful, relatable, and grounded in real-life experience. It explores the universal feeling of believing you’ve got life all figured out, only to realise that certainty is often an illusion, landing on a simple but powerful message: steady yourself, trust the journey, and keep moving forward.
Laughlin wrote it from a place he knows well. “This song came at a time where I really thought I had my life all planned out but quickly came to realise I had not,” he says. “So I wrote Play It Cool about just accepting that not everything will always go as planned in life or love. Sometimes you’ve got to just roll with the punches and play it cool.”
Produced by Ryan Sheridan, the single pairs polished production with emotional honesty, letting Laughlin’s vocal delivery and storytelling take center stage. A 22-year-old folk-pop musician influenced by Paul Brady, John Mayer, and Billy Joel, Laughlin has played music since the age of 14, sharpening his sound through years of live performance before turning to original material. It’s an assured, intimate first step in what’s shaping up to be a breakout year.