Pa Sheehy | Maybe It Was All For This Review

by Bea Willis

Maybe It Was All For This by Pa Sheehy is an intimate, soul-baring journey through twelve tracks of nostalgia and personal evolution. After his decade-long tenure as the frontman of Walking on Cars, Sheehy’s solo debut is his rebirth back into music. Recorded across various locations, including his home in Ventry, the EP offers a poignant snapshot of Sheehy’s life, showcasing his artistic growth and willingness to embrace vulnerability.

The album’s opening track, “Towards the Water,” has a strong heartland rock influence, reminiscent of Walking on Cars’ arena-friendly sound, though the feel is tempered with an introspective undercurrent. It’s a slow, simmering build that captures the restlessness of moving forward while being tethered to the past. This tension between progress and nostalgia forms the emotional spine of the album.

“My Old Friend John” delves into addiction, loss, and friendship themes. The song is raw and haunting, with lyrics like “He don’t drink the water, he worships the wine,” speaking to the pain and cyclical nature of dependency. Sheehy’s ability to weave a personal and universal narrative is on full display here, as he captures the heartbreak of watching someone struggle with demons they can’t seem to shake. The chorus, “And the worst part is I know why, “hits like a gut punch, offering a rare, unflinching look into the empathy and helplessness that often accompany such experiences.

Tracks like “Ghost Down the Lane” and “The Night the School Burnt Down” lean into Sheehy’s folk roots, stripping away the gloss for a more grounded, intimate sound. These songs feel like whispered confessions, drawing the listener in with their quiet intensity. “Ghost Down the Lane,” in particular, embodies a sense of place, as Sheehy captures the essence of growing up in Dingle—its simplicity, its beauty, and the inevitable changes that time brings. This sense of locality, of being shaped by one’s surroundings, is woven throughout the album.

The middle of the record offers a contemplative pause with “Interlude,” a dreamy, instrumental break that gives the listener a moment to reflect before diving back into the narrative. Following this is “It’s All Been Done,” a track that channels Sheehy’s experimentation with genre, blending folk, indie rock, and traces of the widescreen sound that defined his earlier work.

The album truly excels in its ability to make the personal feel universal. Sheehy’s reflections on his upbringing, his relationships, and his hometown of Dingle are personally specific, which gives his music relatability. In “Loser,” Sheehy croons, “I’m a loser but I’m not lost,” offering a rallying cry for those who feel out of place or adrift, a sentiment that will resonate with listeners far beyond the borders of Dingle.

Production-wise, Maybe It Was All For This is polished but not overly so. The songs are lush yet intimate, with Sheehy’s vocals sitting front and center, supported by subtle, often melancholic instrumentation. The balance between acoustic elements and more expansive, cinematic sounds speaks to Sheehy’s versatility as an artist, a theme he himself acknowledges as he describes the record as a “huge experiment.”

In “The Night the School Burnt Down,” Sheehy reminisces about the wild freedom of his teenage years, a time when the world felt wide open and unpoliced. The track captures the recklessness of youth with a wink and a nudge, offering a playful counterpoint to some of the heavier themes present throughout the album. Yet even in its levity, there’s a sense of longing for simpler times, before life became more complicated, before the weight of adulthood settled in.

As the album closes with “Glasheen Road,” we’re left with a sense of quiet resolution conveyed in Sheehy’s voice, as though he’s come to terms with the past and is ready to move forward. It’s a fitting end to a solid debut album.

Ultimately, Maybe It Was All For This plays like a personal diary that invites the listener to sit down and share Sheehy’s stories of heartbreak, change, and home. It’s a record of quiet power, where the most striking moments are often the simplest—a lyric, a chord progression, or a vocal inflection that lingers long after the song has ended. Pa Sheehy’s solo debut explores what it means to look back, let go, and still find hope in what’s ahead.

Artist: Pa Sheehy
Album: Maybe It Was All For This
Label: V2 Records

Release Date: October 11, 2024

About the author

Bea Willis

Author

With an unwavering passion for music that began at the tender age of five, I embarked on a journey of self-expression through the piano, later expanding my repertoire to the guitar and the art of singing. As a seasoned performer in cozy coffee shops and harmonious choir ensembles, I've immersed myself in the diverse tapestry of musical genres, seeking to uncover the intricate qualities that strike a chord within our souls.

Beyond my personal experiences, my journalistic pursuits have led me to explore the stories and inspirations behind the melodies we hold dear. As a music journalist, I aim to delve into the heart of each composition, shedding light on the creative minds that have shaped the soundscape of our lives.

In my downtime, you can find me serenading my loyal canine companion with heartfelt tunes on the guitar or indulging in retail therapy to enhance my ever-growing wardrobe. Songwriting holds a special place in my heart, and I yearn for the day when I can share my creative talents with the world. Until then, my passion for uncovering the emotional power within music continues to drive my insightful reviews and analyses, as I journey through the rich landscape of melodies that move us.