We’ve been covering the music of Halifax, Canada-based rock artist LoveSelf, real name Joshua O’Reilly, since 2022, but it’s been a couple of years since we last posted about him.
By Graeme Smith
That’s all now changed thanks to his raw and emotional new track, How Do I Survive. Hitting hard from the off, we get a haunting acoustic rock instrumental to back Joshua’s expressive, pleading vocals. They speak of alienation and trying to find one’s place in a world where everyone else seems to be finding their way better. The lyrics were inspired by a true story taking place in a part of Joshua’s life where he was trying, and ultimately failing, to rebuild his relationship with his parent.
With sonic nods to Nirvana and David Bowie, LoveSelf’s pens true outsider anthems. It’s been too long since we’ve featured him on these pages, and his music feels more important now than ever.
Though now based in Canada, Joshua has a UK connection. He was born in Northern Ireland and raised in England before moving over to North America. A true DIY artist, he records his own music in his bedroom studio.
How Do I Survive is out now and you can give it a listen below.