Colm Warren Returns with Powerful New Single ‘Without You’: An uplifting, deeply personal release shines a light on inclusion, family, and the transformative power of love
- Danielle Holian
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Derry-born songwriter Colm Warren, formerly frontman of Belfast punk outfit The Twenty, continues his singular artistic journey with the release of his new single “Without You”, the first in a series of upcoming releases planned throughout 2026. Released on World Down Syndrome Day, the track is accompanied by a striking and heartfelt video created in collaboration with Down Syndrome Cork, already earning praise for its message of inclusion, compassion, and hope.
“Without You” marks another bold evolution in Warren’s career, which has seen him move from the raw urgency of punk to a richly textured, orchestral sound. After stepping away from music for nearly a decade, Warren re-emerged in 2020 with his debut solo single “Void,” followed by “Shame” and “Choked, a trilogy exploring themes of alienation and existential struggle. Subsequent releases such as “Just Me” and “September Roses” hinted at a more reflective and grounded perspective, while 2023’s “Truth,” a haunting duet with Irish performer Maeve Smyth, drew widespread acclaim and led to a landmark performance with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. At that concert, Warren also delivered a widely praised tribute to the late Shane MacGowan with a poignant rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho,” performed with just piano accompaniment to a captivated audience.
Throughout 2024, Warren released a trio of singles, “Alright,” “Dead Days,” and “Thinking of You”, each accompanied by visually compelling videos that collectively amassed over 140,000 views online. “Alright,” in particular, resonated strongly with listeners and critics alike, with Clash describing it as “a moving listen… unveiling a true vulnerability.” In 2025, Warren offered a powerful reinterpretation of Guns N’ Roses’ “Estranged,” further cementing his reputation as an artist unafraid to excavate deep emotional terrain.
Now, with “Without You,” Warren turns his focus toward family. Written for his sister Emma McCarthy and inspired by her relationship with her son Ódhrán, the song is a tribute to the profound impact of children born with Down syndrome.
Warren explains, “Emma and her husband Joe’s relationship with my nephew Ódhrán is something special to behold. Despite the challenges they face, his impact has been nothing short of life-saving in the most beautiful way. He’s taught us all so much about love and what it truly means to be a good parent and a decent human being. This song was my way of telling her that I see that.”
The accompanying video, directed by Tetsuhiko Endo and produced by Therese Shannon at Rubberduck, places members of the Down Syndrome Cork community front and centre. Featuring performances from Sean McMahon, Emma O’Connor, David Wall and Mike Clifford, the video celebrates creativity, visibility, and joy, with participants cast as both performers and audience.
Endo notes, “We wanted to ensure that people with Down syndrome were unquestionably the protagonists. With the support of Down Syndrome Cork, we worked with an incredible group of young creatives who brought such commitment and energy to the project. It was a truly special experience.”
Nikky Slattery, Operations Manager at Down Syndrome Cork, described the collaboration as transformative, “This project gave our members a real sense of ownership and visibility. They weren’t just included, they were leading. It showcases their talent, confidence, and the joy they bring to every space they’re part of. It’s a powerful statement about inclusion in its truest sense.”
Musically, “Without You” blends Warren’s signature emotive vocal style with lush orchestration, featuring an arrangement by John Byrne performed by the Bulgarian Symphonic Orchestra. Recorded at The Nutshed Studio in Co. Offaly and produced by Joe Egan and John Byrne, the track exemplifies Warren’s commitment to artistic authenticity and emotional honesty.
The video has already been highlighted as “A Reason To Be Happy” on Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live, while TheJournal.ie praised both the song and its visual counterpart for their celebration of positivity and inclusion.
An artist who has consistently defied expectations, Colm Warren remains guided not by trends but by an uncompromising creative instinct. His work continues to resonate with those who discover it, often unexpectedly, offering moments of connection, reflection, and, increasingly, hope.
“Colm Warren is one of those rare artists who operates entirely on his own terms; ‘Without You’ is a beautiful, deeply human piece of work that doesn’t just showcase his evolution as a songwriter, but also his ability to connect, uplift, and give voice to stories that truly matter,” shares music publicist Danielle Holian, Decent Music PR.
“Without You” is out now.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors:
“Without You” is dedicated to “the 1 in 800 babies born everywhere with Down syndrome.”
The video was created in collaboration with Down Syndrome Cork and features members of their community as principal performers.
Colm Warren’s previous work has been featured by Hot Press, Clash, RTÉ and BBC.
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PREVIOUS PRESS PRAISE
“Unveiling a true vulnerability” - Clash
“Imbued with a stoic emotionality...spine-tingilingly intimate” - Hot Press
““Thinking Of You” is a testament to Colm Warren’s incredible ability to enmesh timeless stories within his music” - Earmilk
“Colm proves himself as an artist with integrity” - Notion
“What makes Warren’s vision so compelling is his willingness to inhabit the song completely” - Rotate Magazine
“An extraordinary voice” - Fiachna Ó Braonáin, The Hothouse Flowers & RTE Radio
“Powerful stuff” - Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster
“Heartfelt and emotional” - Eve Blair, BBC Radio Ulster
“Wrought with emotion” - Chordblossom
“The spirit of punk is present and correct - the volume and sentiment is much more subtle” - David 'Rigsy' O'Reilly, Daily Mirror
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