Miss Manhattan: A Neon Tribute to Audrey Munson
While still a member of Irish alternative rock band Bell X1, David Geraghty has continued to use his solo career as an outlet for ideas that don't necessarily fit within the band's dynamic.
That freedom has allowed Geraghty to explore a more experimental side of his songwriting, and 2026 has already seen him build plenty of momentum towards the release of his album, KOMOREBI
.
The year began with Valentine
, a single that quickly picked up support from radio and the music press, before Geraghty followed it with Normal Two Point Zero
, a psychedelic slice of synth-pop that offered another glimpse of what was to come.
Now, with KOMOREBI
set for release on September 18th, Geraghty has unveiled one more single before the album arrives.
This time it's Miss Manhattan.
From the opening moments, Miss Manhattan
immediately stands apart from Geraghty's work with Bell X1.
The track is built around an upbeat electronic rhythm and a driving synth bassline that gives the song plenty of momentum. Bright, swirling synths are layered over the top, adding a slightly distorted, psychedelic quality to the production.
There's a real sense of fun here.
Geraghty's vocal delivery is dramatic and expressive, with a confident swagger that fits perfectly with the track's glam-rock influences and electronic production.
It's a song that doesn't take itself too seriously, but there is plenty of thought behind what Geraghty is doing.
Miss Manhattan
At the heart of the track is the extraordinary story of Audrey Munson, the American model and actress who is often regarded as the world's first supermodel.
Munson became a prominent figure in New York's art world during the early 20th century, posing for numerous artists and sculptors and becoming closely associated with the Beaux-Arts movement.
She also became known as the Miss Manhattan
of her era and appeared in early cinema, including one of the first films to feature an actress appearing nude.
But behind the glamour was a much darker story.
Munson's life eventually descended into scandal, obsession and tragedy, making her story one of those fascinating chapters of history that feels almost too extraordinary to be true.
It was discovering that story that inspired Geraghty to create Miss Manhattan
.
Rather than attempting to recreate the sound of the era, Geraghty takes Munson's story and transports it into a completely different world.
Musically, Miss Manhattan
is a colourful and energetic track.
The driving electronic beat gives the song an immediate danceable quality, while the synth bass keeps everything moving underneath the more flamboyant lead sounds.
The swirling synths and distorted textures give the track a slightly psychedelic edge, while Geraghty's theatrical vocal performance adds a touch of glam-rock attitude.
It's an interesting combination.
The story may come from the world of black-and-white film, Beaux-Arts architecture and early 20th-century New York, but the music sounds firmly rooted in a neon-lit modern world.
That contrast is arguably what makes the track work so well.
The accompanying video, directed by award-winning filmmaker Nicky Larkin, continues the concept. Cherrie Ontop (Matt Cavan) takes on the role of Audrey Munson, bringing plenty of attitude and personality to the visual interpretation of the song.
Together, the track and video create a suitably bold tribute to one of America's most fascinating early celebrities.
Miss Manhattan
is the latest preview of KOMOREBI, which arrives on September 18th, 2026. The album was recorded in his home studio, The Numbers Station, with appearances from friends and family.
For Geraghty, the record has been more than simply another songwriting project. The process also gave him an opportunity to experiment with recording and production techniques, with engineer Luke Conlon helping to mix the album.
With Valentine
, Normal Two Point Zero
and now Miss Manhattan"
all offering very different glimpses of the album, there's already a sense that KOMOREBI isn't going to be an entirely predictable listen.
Geraghty will also take the album on the road with a series of Irish dates.
29th Aug – Trailer Park, Electric Picnic, Laois
18th Sep – Spin Dizzy Records Album Launch, Dublin
19th Sep – Steamboat Records, Limerick – Afternoon
19th Sep – Music Zone, Cork – Evening
24th Sep – Savoy, Cork
25th Sep – The Ruby Room, Mayo
26th Sep – Crusheen, Clare
1th Oct – Spirit Store, Louth
2th Oct – Theatre Royal, Waterford
3th Oct – Lucas Records, Waterford
8th Oct – Cleere's, Kilkenny
9th Oct – Kasbah, Limerick
22th Oct – Crescent Arts, Belfast
With Miss Manhattan
, David Geraghty has delivered another intriguing preview of KOMOREBI.
The combination of electronic beats, swirling synths and glam-rock swagger gives the track plenty of energy, but it's the unusual story behind the song that really makes it stand out. There's a real sense that his solo work is giving him the freedom to experiment, and "Miss Manhattan" is perhaps the clearest example yet.
If the three singles released so far are anything to go by, KOMOREBI could be one of the more interesting Irish solo releases to arrive this year.
The single, Miss Manhattan, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: Brendan Duffy