Decayds - September EP Review: Finding a Way Through Grief

By Chris Kennedy | Published 19th Oct, 2026

Irish singer-songwriter Decayds, the music project of David Knowles, returns with September, a three-track EP that deals with grief, loss and the memories that stay with us. Blending acoustic indie with folk influences, it's a personal release that sees David taking a slightly different approach across each of the three songs.

Having spent a couple of decades writing lyrics and melodies that never quite made it into finished songs, David only began recording and releasing music in recent years. What started as a creative outlet has become something much more important, giving him somewhere to put thoughts that aren't always easy to talk about.

Three Songs, Three Different Sides of Grief

Written and recorded over a six-month period, September brings together three songs that approach grief from different angles. Love, regret, sadness and memories all play their part, but there's no attempt to tie everything up neatly. Instead, David lets the songs tell their own stories, even when the questions remain unanswered.

There's also a noticeable difference in sound across the EP. While the acoustic indie and folk influences are still there, each track has its own identity. Some moments are kept deliberately simple, while others bring in more instruments and production, giving the release a bit of variety without losing its personal feel.

We Both Know - Keeping Things Simple

Opening the EP and serving as its lead single, We Both Know takes a fairly minimal approach, with a prominent beat helping to carry the track along. There's plenty of space around the arrangement, allowing the songwriting to remain the main focus rather than getting buried beneath layers of instruments.

It's a good introduction to September, setting the tone for what follows without giving too much away. The simplicity works in its favour, and while there's a definite sense of sadness running through the song, it never feels like David is trying too hard to make a point.

Tonight – A More Stripped-Back Sound

Tonight takes things in a slightly different direction, leaning further into the acoustic side of Decayds. The arrangement is more stripped back, with some eerie sounds sitting quietly in the background. It's a subtle touch, but one that gives the track an unsettled feeling that suits the subject matter.

Compared with the more beat-driven We Both Know, this feels like a quieter moment on the EP. The acoustic instrumentation takes centre stage, while those unusual background sounds add something a little different. It's another example of how David has approached each song individually rather than sticking to one formula.

Travel Safe – Bringing More Into the Mix

Closing the EP, Travel Safe brings a fuller sound than the previous two tracks. A progressing mid-tempo beat gives the song a steady sense of movement, while electric instruments blend with acoustic strings. There's more going on here musically, but the track still fits comfortably alongside the others.

It's a welcome change of pace and gives September a strong finish. After the minimal approach of We Both Know and the quieter acoustic sound of Tonight, the extra instrumentation helps round things off. It's also a good indication of the different directions Decayds could explore with future releases.

Music as an Outlet, Not an Answer

One of the things that comes through with September is that David isn't setting out to offer advice on dealing with grief. These songs are simply his way of documenting the thoughts, memories and feelings that have followed difficult experiences, including things that can't be changed or put right.

That approach makes sense when you consider why Decayds started releasing music in the first place. For David, songwriting has become a healthy distraction and a way of getting things off his chest. There's no grand statement behind it, just a need to create something from what he's been going through.

The EP was mixed and produced by Rohan A Healy and Al Quiff at Beardfire Studios in Dublin, helping bring the three different arrangements together. Despite the musical changes from track to track, the focus stays on David's songwriting and the personal stories behind the release.

There's also another important reason behind September. Decayds is using the release to help raise awareness of and support a fundraiser for Pieta, the Irish charity providing suicide and self-harm prevention services. It's a worthwhile cause and adds another reason to get behind this independent Irish artist.

Final Verdict | Decayds September

September is a solid three-track EP from Decayds, showing a songwriter who's becoming more comfortable exploring different sounds while keeping things personal. We Both Know provides a simple, beat-led opening, Tonight strips things back, and Travel Safe finishes with a fuller arrangement that brings a little more energy.

What works best is that the EP doesn't try to turn grief into some big uplifting message. These are three songs about living with difficult memories and finding somewhere to put those feelings. It's an honest, unpretentious release from an Irish artist making music for the right reasons, and one that's well worth a listen.

The EP, September, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Decayds