Masquerade - Cardinals Review
Cardinals by Steve Gullick
Cardinals have been circling something for a while now. With debut album Masquerade, they finally grab hold of it.
At a time when Irish bands are commanding global stages and reshaping the alternative landscape, Cardinals feel less like followers of a movement and more like a band carving out their own corner of it. There’s a deep sense of place running through this record. You can hear it in the melodies, in the phrasing, in the way the accordion threads through the guitars without ever feeling ornamental. It doesn’t scream tradition, but it carries it quietly.
From the opening moments of “She Makes Me Real”, there’s a confidence that feels earned. The guitars shimmer without feeling throwback, and Manning’s vocal balances vulnerability with steel. The production leaves room for everything to breathe, allowing tension to build naturally rather than forcing big moments.
A lot of Masquerade is defined by that patience. Cardinals let songs unfold at their own pace, gradually widening the frame before pulling everything back in. “St. Agnes” and “I Like You” bring melody to the front without sacrificing atmosphere, while “Anhedonia” and “Big Empty Heart” sit heavier, more internal, more bruised. The sequencing gives the album a shape that feels deliberate, shifting between brightness and shadow without losing cohesion.
Lyrically, there’s an openness that makes the record stick. Manning doesn’t over-explain or oversell the emotion. The themes of identity, doubt and devotion move through the album in fragments, which makes repeat listens rewarding. You catch different details each time, small phrases that linger longer than expected.
Masquerade doesn’t announce itself with bombast. It holds its ground. Cardinals sound grounded in where they’re from and clear about where they’re heading. In a year where Irish music continues to command international attention, this debut feels like another important chapter.
Catch Cardinals on their UK and Ireland tour next month:
5th March 2026 - Belfast, Ulster Sports Club
6th March 2026 - Cork, St Luke's
7th March 2026 - Dublin, The Workman's Club
10th March 2026 - Bristol, The Exchange
11th March 2026 - London, The Garage
13th March 2026 - Manchester, Yes (Pink Room)
14th March 2026 - Newcastle, The Grove
15th March 2026 - Glasgow, King Tut's