Tipperary’s Finest Dawna Releases "The Damhsa E.P"

Today sees Dawna release his highly anticipated new project, The Damhsa EP. We’ve had the chance to live with it for a bit, and here is what we think.

First off, 2025 was the year Dawna firmly planted his flag on the Irish music scene. Between national TV spots, a massive Tipperary homecoming in Thurles, and a string of viral social posts, he made himself impossible to ignore. As we get nicely acquainted with 2026, Dawna is building on that momentum with precision. Released today, The Damhsa EP is a collection of songs that pack a serious punch across just four tracks. It’s a vivid, honest, and open snapshot of an artist navigating the dizzying transition from being a rising star to a father providing for his own. Produced by the ever-reliable and brilliant Gavin Doyle, the record has a fantastic range. There are moments that are quick, fun, and exciting, and others that feel like a conversation over a pint that turns into a deep heart-to-heart by closing time. It’s grounded, authentic, and carries a weight that can only come from real-life experience.

The EP kicks off with "Damhsa le Mo Chaillín," a track that practically begs for a festival stage. Having heard this live a couple of times, I can safely say it was made for crowds to scream back. Featuring Hazey Haze, it’s a brilliant fusion of two distinct delivery styles. Hazey’s verse, especially that "bouquet" line/delivery is so so catchy. The original release of this track had been blowing up on socials but this added feature gives the track even more depth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDjFWUZrwF7cY&v=jFWUZrwF7cY

The record then goes in a more serious direction with "Just Another" and "Living on the Line." I always say these are the types of tracks where Dawna truly shifts into fifth gear as a songwriter. "Just Another" tackles "provider anxiety" head-on. The tempo is quicker than much of Dawna’s previous work, almost mirroring the frantic pace of working three jobs just to stay afloat. The speed hit me right away, on first listen I didn't realise Hazey Haze was a feature on this track but when I heard his verse the quicker tempo made sense. Their chemistry is seamless; together, they capture the modern Irish struggle of trying to build a life without losing your soul to the grind.

Next up is "Living on the Line," which was born from a heart-breaking encounter Dawna had at a supermarket checkout, witnessing a father’s card decline while his young daughter tried to comfort him. If you’ve been scrolling through Dawna’s socials lately, you’ve likely seen the comments from fans begging for the full version of this one.

"It’s alright / It’s just fine / Are the things I tell myself / When we’re living on the line"

It’s a real "stop-you-in-your-tracks" kind of song. It captures a specific type of quiet, dignified desperation that, unfortunately, many can deeply relate to in 2026. It’s a masterclass in storytelling and exactly why Dawna is one of the most relatable voices in the country right now. To close out the EP, Dawna shifts the mood with "Always been the One." This is pure serotonin and dopamine wrapped in a melody. If the middle of the EP represents the struggle of winter, this is the first "orange sunlight" of June. With its soaring high notes and a brilliant build into the chorus, it’s a (dare I say it) feel-good summer anthem. And if that description feels a bit premature for March, it’s definitely a "windows down, volume up" kind of track that balances out the heavier themes of the record beautifully.

The Damhsa EP is a confident stride forward. Dawna has spent the last year supporting the likes of Jamie McIntyre, Lyra, and Gearoid McCarthy, and listening to this, you can hear exactly why those acts think so highly of him. With a massive show at the Róisín Dubh in Galway tomorrow, Friday, March 27th, these songs are about to get their first real workout. If this EP is any indication of the musical output Dawna has planned for the rest of 2026, we’re in for a very special year.