Kneecap share powerful new single Irish Goodbye with Kae Tempest ahead of album release

Belfast trio Kneecap have released their latest single Irish Goodbye, featuring Kae Tempest, alongside a deeply affecting 12-minute short film.

The track is taken from their upcoming album FENIAN, which lands this Friday, 1^st May via Heavenly Recordings. The release marks a strikingly personal moment for the group, with Irish Goodbye exploring grief, memory and loss through an intimate lens.

Written by Móglaí Bap, the song reflects on the death of his mother, focusing not on grand gestures but the quiet, everyday moments that linger – walks, conversations, small acts of care. The accompanying film, directed by Thomas James, mirrors that emotional weight, offering a contemplative and compassionate portrait of loss.

Speaking about the track, Móglaí Bap described how revisiting old footage of his mother helped unlock memories beyond grief: “It allowed me visualise happier times, instead of being so angry at the world.” He added that collaborating with Kae Tempest brought an added emotional depth to the piece, calling it “a really special moment for us.”

Director Thomas James approached the film with a similar sensitivity, centring it on remembrance rather than anger: “It’s not angry at those who have chosen to leave… but it’s compassionate to those that are still here.”

Irish Goodbye offers a glimpse into the broader themes of FENIAN, which sees Kneecap pushing their sound into darker, more confrontational territory while maintaining the sharp energy and political edge they’ve become known for.

The album follows a run of sold-out shows and arrives ahead of a packed summer of festival appearances, including a major headline show at London’s Crystal Palace Park.

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FENIAN is released on 1^st May 2026. For further information or to order the album, visit Kneecap’s website here.

Watch the video for Irish Goodbye here: