Robert Grace Keeps It in the Family on New Single Cardboard Boxes

By Chris Kennedy | Published 9th Oct, 2026

Irish singer-songwriter Robert Grace continues to carve out his own space in Ireland's thriving indie-pop scene. It's been a busy few months for the Kilkenny artist, with a steady run of singles picking up plenty of praise along the way. Now, with his second album just around the corner, he's back with something a little different.

Robert Grace Is Showing No Signs of Slowing Down

With over 250 million streams and more than 500 million streams views across his platforms, Robert Grace has built up quite the following. His double-platinum hit Fake Fine helped put him on the map, while fan favourite Not OK has racked up an impressive 60 million streams. Not bad going at all.

More recently, Euphoria picked up major support from BBC Radio 1, adding to what's already been a pretty successful run. And there's plenty more to come, with his sophomore album My Father's Son set for release on November 6th, featuring recent singles Where Does It Grow?, Home, Somebody Else and If You Were Gone.

Cardboard Boxes Brings a Little Family Magic

His latest single, Cardboard Boxes, takes things in a more playful direction. Built around a bright, breezy acoustic guitar, it's a charming slice of indie-pop that finds Robert looking back at the simple things in life. There's a lovely sense of nostalgia running through it, without the song ever feeling overly sentimental.

What really makes this one stand out, though, is the involvement of his children, Lincoln and Bonnie. Their voices pop up in the chorus, adding a wonderfully scrappy, chant-like hook that's hard not to smile at. It's not perfectly polished, and that's exactly why it works so well.

Robert's own vocals are soft and relaxed, sitting comfortably alongside the acoustic guitar and playful backing vocals. There's nothing particularly complicated about the arrangement, but it doesn't need to be. The song has an easy-going charm, with the kind of chorus you could easily find yourself singing along to after a couple of listens.

A Song That Fits the Bigger Picture

While Cardboard Boxes is a fun little track in its own right, it also gives us another glimpse into what Robert has planned for My Father's Son. Family is clearly a big part of the album, and having his own children singing alongside him makes this particular release feel that bit more personal.

Speaking about the upcoming record, Robert explained just how much it means to him:

My Father's Son, is the album I needed to make. It's about navigating struggle, leaning on the ones who love you, and finding happiness where you can. It's about the family that's been there through every high and low. From my parents to my children, my wife to my siblings, aunties, uncles, and cousins, they're all here, their voices woven into these songs. Made entirely on my own terms in my studio, no label, no big money. Just honest music made with the people I love. It's about finding light in dark places and knowing you're never alone when family has your back. - Robert Grace

That approach comes through nicely on Cardboard Boxes. Rather than trying to make everything sound flawless, Robert has let the little imperfections become part of the song's personality. It's a refreshing change from the heavily polished pop tracks we're so used to hearing, and it suits the family theme down to the ground.

Robert Grace Announces November Live Shows

With My Father's Son arriving on November 6th, Robert will also be heading out for a handful of live appearances and album signings. Fans will have the chance to catch him in Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny, including a hometown show at the Watergate Theatre, which has already sold out.

- Friday, November 6th: Spindizzy, Dublin – Live In-Store & Album Signing, 6pm

- Saturday, November 7th: Golden Discs, Waterford – Live In-Store & Album Signing, 2pm

- Sunday, November 8th: Golden Discs, Kilkenny – Live In-Store & Album Signing

- Sunday, November 8th: Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny – Sold Out

Final Verdict

Cardboard Boxes bright acoustic guitar, laid-back vocals and wonderfully unfiltered contributions from Lincoln and Bonnie give it a personality all of its own. It's simple, catchy and full of character.

There's something genuinely lovely about hearing a musician bring his family into the recording process, especially when the results feel this natural. With My Father's Son just weeks away, Cardboard Boxes is another enjoyable addition to Robert Grace's growing catalogue and a reminder that sometimes the simplest ideas make the best songs.

The single, Cardboard Boxes, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Robert Grace