Conor Byrne releases emotionally charged new single Using Me Up
Music Review | 29th March, 2026
There’s something quietly powerful about artists who’ve been shaping the sound of the charts from behind the scenes before stepping into their own spotlight - and Conor Byrne is exactly that kind of artist.
The Irish singer-songwriter has been steadily building a name as one of the most exciting emerging songwriting talents around, crafting emotionally charged tracks for a seriously impressive roster. From pop heavyweights to indie favourites, Byrne’s pen has found its way into songs for names like The Script, James Blunt, James TW, Sam Fischer, Gorgon City and Pa Sheehy. Not bad for someone who’s still carving out his own lane as a solo artist.
But Byrne isn’t just the guy behind the curtain. He’s been quietly releasing his own music too, earning nods from tastemakers and radio along the way - and now, with his debut EP on the horizon, things are starting to feel like they’re about to shift.
Enter Using Me Up, his latest single and arguably one of his most personal yet.
Built on soaring melodies and stripped-back, emotionally raw lyricism, the track sits somewhere between organic songwriter pop and indie-pop, but never loses that sense of intimacy. It’s the kind of song that feels lived-in—less polished perfection, more honest confession. Byrne leans fully into storytelling here, letting the emotion do the heavy lifting.
And there’s a reason it hits that hard.
Using Me Up
was written during a tough chapter in Byrne’s life, shortly after moving to London to chase the music dream. Instead of the glossy, Instagram-friendly version of that story, what we get is the reality: the burnout, the self-doubt, the loneliness. It’s a refreshingly unfiltered take on what it actually costs to pursue something you love - especially when you’re far from home.
At its core, the song lives in that uncomfortable space between pushing forward and giving up entirely. Byrne has admitted that, at the time, walking away from the industry and heading back to Ireland felt like a very real option. That tension-between perseverance and surrender-is what gives the track its edge. It’s vulnerable without being fragile, honest without feeling heavy-handed.
Using Me Up
marks the fourth release from Byrne’s upcoming debut EP, Distant By Our Own Design
, landing on March 27th - and if this track is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be a deeply personal introduction to an artist who’s more than ready to be heard front and centre.
If you weren’t already paying attention, now is the time.
The single, Using Me Up, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: Conor Byrne
