Donegal singer-songwriter Kevin Laughlin has launched his debut single today, Play It Cool
Drawing inspiration from the timeless songwriting of artists such as James Taylor and Paul Brady, Play It Cool blends warm and melodic songwriting with sincere and reflective lyricism.
As a debut release, the track offers an authentic first glimpse into Laughlin’s songwriting voice — thoughtful, relatable, and grounded in real-life experience.
The song explores the universal feeling of believing you have life all figured out, only to realise that certainty is often an illusion. At its core, Play It Cool embraces a simple but powerful message: sometimes the best thing you can do is steady yourself, trust the journey, and keep moving forward.
About the song Laughlin says “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. 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, allowing Laughlin’s vocal delivery and storytelling to take centre stage. The collaboration brings a refined sound to a debut that feels both intimate and assured.
Kevin Laughlin is a 22-year-old folk-pop musician from Lettermacaward. Having played music since the age of 14, Laughlin began developing his sound through years of live performance before turning his focus to original material after completing his BMus.
Laughlin continues building momentum on the road, joining Gearóid McCarthy on tour from February through April, performing at venues across Ireland as he brings his music to new audiences ahead of his debut single release.
To celebrate the release of Play It Cool, Laughlin will headline Bennigan’s in Derry on May 16th — his first major hometown-style headline show following the single’s arrival. The performance marks an important milestone in what is shaping up to be a breakout year, giving audiences the chance to hear Play It Cool live alongside new original material.
Lettermacaward singer playing it cool with debut single launch was last modified: March 5th, 2026 by Contributor
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