A Tribute to Ireland Posted March 02, 2023 By GraceChaves_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
After touring around Ireland and the UK with a makeshift band called The Remission Flow for three years, Darren Mulligan left his native Ireland to pursue a calling. With his wife Heidi and three young children in tow, they headed to Nashville, Tennessee, with the prospect of a record deal with Word Entertainment. The family started their new life in the United States, with Darren daily writing songs and pursuing the calling that God had placed on his life. For the next year, he wrote more than 100 songs--14 of which became his debut album under the moniker We Are Messengers.
The 2016 Curb/Word Records release included songs "Magnify," "Point To You," and "Everything Comes Alive," which quickly became chart-topping hits. Since then, We Are Messengers has continued their successful career with songs like "Maybe It's Okay," "Love," and their latest radio hit, "Wholehearted."
Darren's latest EP, Hills of Tyrone, is a personal collection that points back to his Irish roots. The EP is a compilation of love songs for his wife and wisdom for his children, echoing his deep love for his homeland.
What It Sounds Like
Although We Are Messengers began only seven years ago, there's something nostalgic to me about Darren's voice. When I started following Jesus, I had Darren's debut album on repeat. Day after day, I would listen to his music, and his songs "Magnify" and "Giants Fall" became anthems for me as I found freedom from my battle with anxiety. We Are Messengers became the soundtrack to those early days of knowing Jesus, and I can't listen to his music without thinking back to that sweet time.
In the same way, We Are Messengers' latest EP, Hills of Tyrone, must invoke feelings of home and nostalgia for Darren Mulligan. The EP feels like a love letter to Ireland, and it will transport you to the green hills of his homeland. From the warm, acoustic guitar notes in "Oiche Mhaith" to the powerful lyrics in "Seasons," each song will have you longing for the beauty and wonder of home.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
While Hills of Tyrone is mainly a tribute to Darren's family and his native homeland, one song is solely a love letter back to God. "Father Would You Hold My Hand" is more like a prayer than a song, and the simplicity of it is so compelling.
The first verse asks, "Father would you hold my hand?/The water's rising I can't stand/I led myself to sinking sand/So Father would you hold my hand?" We all have had moments where it feels like we're drowning. Whether it be in anxiety, depression, or a trying season of life. But this song is a reminder that, even through the difficulties, we have a Father who is willing to hold our hand. What more could we ever ask for?
Best Song
Nearing my high school graduation, I find any song about growing up to be a tear-jerker. Darren's song "Older" speaks about how scary it can feel to grow up--yet we can't do anything about it. All we can do is hold onto the ones we love, whether a friend, parent, or spouse. Each song on the EP is memorable, but this one hits home for me.
The slow, introspective song doesn't provide answers as much as it gives comfort. The years will go on and the seasons will change, but "Older" beckons us to hold onto the people around us. The chorus sings, "Everybody's getting older/I find it kinda hard to believe/But I don't really care about being young no more/Cause darling you're getting older with me."
Final Word
I almost forgot how much I love We Are Messengers until I listened to Hills of Tyrone. I've mainly had my head in alt-rock lately, but it was lovely to branch out and listen to We Are Messengers again. They were my first favorite Christian band, and I loved rediscovering their music again.
Hills of Tyrone is a beautiful tribute to Darren's family and to his homeland, and I'll have it on repeat for the days to come. Listen to Hills of Tyrone now on Spotify and Apple Music.
