Moncrieff Goes Independent: Waterford Star Announces "12 Songs in 12 Months" Challenge for 2026

Waterford’s own Moncrieff is kicking off 2026 with a bold new mission statement: no label, no big team, just one new song every month for the entire year.

In a candid message to fans this week, the Déise singer-songwriter opened up about a turbulent 12 months that saw him battling personal loss and professional frustration. Describing his time signed to a major record label as a "bit of a nightmare," Moncrieff revealed he felt "trapped" and found himself "chasing numbers" rather than making the honest music he is known for.

"I really feel myself coming out on the other side now," he shared. "I’ve been making music I love that feels real, honest, and closer to who I am than anything I’ve written before."

To mark this return to independence, Moncrieff has set himself a massive challenge: he will release one song at the end of every month throughout 2026.

Writing and recording in real-time, he plans to drop tracks while they are still "close and fresh," capturing exactly where he is in his life each month. "If I’m being totally honest it also kinda scares me, but I think that’s a good thing," he admitted.

The first track is set to drop at the end of January.

"How it’s ultimately gonna work out is pretty much ‘Anyone’s Guess’ , so that’s as good a place to start as any." Fans can pre-save the first single now to hear an exclusive snippet before the rest of the world.

It’s a brave move for one of Ireland’s best voices, but if anyone can pull off a song-a-month marathon, it’s him. Welcome back, Moncrieff.