First Class Rebel, the new face of Irelands psych-gaze
Music Review | 7th Nov, 2025
First Class Rebel
There’s a new name buzzing in the Irish music scene, First Class Rebel, the brainchild of musician Ian Burke. His sound dives headfirst into psych gaze, a hypnotic blend of psychedelic rock textures and shoegaze’s dreamy haze. Think swirling guitars, hazy distortion, and melodies that feel equal parts gritty and beautiful.
Burke’s debut single, Shadows Fade, is the perfect introduction. It opens with modulated guitar chords that instantly pull you in, before a haunting, single-note lead line takes over. Underneath it all, a subtle synth hums away, more of a texture than a sound, but it gives the track this constant, drone atmosphere.
The vocals float between shoegaze cool and indie-dance swagger, calling back to the early ‘90s Manchester scene, with just enough psychedelic shimmer to make it his own.
Recorded at Darklands Audio with producer Dan Doherty, Shadows Fade
marks a confident and atmospheric debut for First Class Rebel. It’s the sound of an artist carving out his own corner of Ireland’s alternative music landscape.
First Class Rebel - Shadowns Fade
The single, Shadowns Fade, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: First Class Rebel
