Gilla Band Return with Raw New Track ‘Giraffe’ After Four-Year Hiatus

Gilla Band’s new song ‘Giraffe’ channels feelings of isolation and the struggle to express inner thoughts through their signature experimental sound.

If you’ve been craving the jagged, boundary-pushing guitar chaos only Gilla Band can deliver, then their new single ‘Giraffe’ is exactly the sonic wake-up call you need. After four long years without new music, the Dublin-based group—formerly known as Girl Band—are back with a track that’s both haunting and intense, offering a raw glimpse into frontman Dara Kiely’s deeply personal headspace.

Breaking the Silence: Gilla Band’s First New Song in Four Years

The anticipation surrounding Gilla Band’s fresh material has been palpable ever since they rebranded from Girl Band and released their third studio album Most Normal in 2022. Now, with ‘Giraffe’, they plunge listeners headfirst into their trademark experimental guitar soundscape—where distortion roars and atonality reign supreme.

Dara Kiely’s vocal delivery is a wrenching blend of tortured yells and fragmented internal monologues, perfectly underscoring the song’s emotional core. ‘Giraffe’ doesn’t just push musical boundaries; it pushes emotional ones too, revealing the tangled feelings of loneliness and the difficulty of articulating inner turmoil.

This track will be available as a limited-edition 7” picture disc via Rough Trade starting Friday, May 29. If you want to snag a physical piece of Gilla Band’s latest chapter, pre-orders are live now.

The Story Behind ‘Giraffe’: A Turbulent Inner World

What really sets ‘Giraffe’ apart is its candid exploration of the singer’s state of mind. Dara Kiely candidly shared with fans what the song represents:

“In this track, the first few sections represent what my general headspace is like. It can be a very scattered and sometimes lonely place. Feeling unloved and finding it difficult to articulate what I’m actually thinking.”

That stark admission pulls you into a deeply personal space, where confusion and isolation swirl together in a noisy storm.

But the song’s outro flips the script just a bit—it hints at a glimmer of comfort and affection, albeit one that’s hard to accept:

“‘She chased me out the door with a hairbrush demanding that I would wear a suitable jacket.’ It’s a very Irish Mammy action. That amount of love is difficult for me to accept but it is a beautiful thing to have in life.”

The juxtaposition of harsh realities with tender, familiar love wraps the song in a bittersweet embrace, making it even more relatable.

Tune In: Watch ‘Giraffe’ Now

Gilla Band’s Upcoming Tour Dates: A Transatlantic Takeover

The excitement doesn’t stop at just a new track. Gilla Band are hitting the road with an extensive tour kicking off in October 2026 across the U.S., followed by a European leg in early 2027.

October 2026 – North America Dates

• Oct 14 – Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts
• Oct 15 – Brooklyn, NY, Elsewhere – The Hall
• Oct 17 – Allston, MA, Brighton Music Hall
• Oct 19 – Montreal, QC, Fairmount Theatre
• Oct 20 – Toronto, ON, Lee’s Palace
• Oct 21 – Detroit, MI, Third Man Records – Cass Corridor
• Oct 23 – Chicago, IL, The Bottom Lounge
• Oct 24 – Saint Paul, MN, Turf Club
• Oct 27 – Denver, CO, Bluebird Theater
• Oct 28 – Salt Lake City, UT, Kilby Court
• Oct 30 – Portland, OR, Mississippi Studios
• Oct 31 – Vancouver, BC, The Pearl on Granville

November 2026 – Final US Shows

• Nov 1 – Seattle, WA, Neumos
• Nov 3 – San Francisco, CA, The Independent
• Nov 4 – Los Angeles, CA, Lodge Room Highland Park
• Nov 7 – Phoenix, AZ, Valley Bar
• Nov 8 – Santa Fe, NM, Meow Wolf
• Nov 10 – Austin, TX, 29th Street Ballroom
• Nov 11 – Denton, TX, Rubber Gloves Showroom
• Nov 13 – Nashville, TN, The Blue Room at Third Man Records
• Nov 14 – Carrboro, NC, Cat’s Cradle (Back Room)
• Nov 15 – Washington, DC, The Atlantis

January 2027 – European Tour Kickoff

• Jan 20 – Paris, France, Trabendo
• Jan 21 – Brussels, Belgium, Le Botanique
• Jan 22 – Tourcoing, France, Le Grand Mix
• Jan 23 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tolhuistuin
• Jan 25 – Utrecht, Netherlands, Ekko
• Jan 26 – Hamburg, Germany, Betty
• Jan 27 – Copenhagen, Denmark, Loppen
• Jan 29 – Berlin, Germany, SO36
• Jan 30 – Warsaw, Poland, Hydrozagadka
• Jan 31 – Prague, Czech Republic, Subzero

February 2027 – Wrapping Up in UK

• Feb 2 – Budapest, Hungary, Durer Kert
• Feb 3 – Vienna, Austria, Flucc Wanne
• Feb 5 – Zurich, Switzerland, Bogen F
• Feb 6 – Milan, Italy, Arci Bellezza
• Feb 10 – Bristol, UK, Trinity
• Feb 11 – London, UK, Heaven
• Feb 12 – Manchester, UK, Band on The Wall
• Feb 13 – Glasgow, UK, Grand Classic

Side Projects & Band Evolution

While Gilla Band is back in full force, their individual members haven’t been idle. Notably, guitarist Alan Duggan Borges has ventured into new territory with his project The Null Club. Last year, he dropped a debut EP featuring collaborations with members of The Horrors and Mandy, Indiana, weaving a fresh tapestry of sound that still carries some of Gilla Band’s experimental DNA.

Reflecting on Gilla Band’s Unique Voice

Listening to ‘Giraffe’, I’m struck by how perfectly Gilla Band captures the messy, complicated feelings many of us wrestle with behind closed doors. The distortion and atonality aren’t just sonic choices—they mirror the tangled thoughts and emotions Dara Kiely pours into the lyrics.

It’s a rare gift when a band makes you feel seen in your loneliness and confusion, even if it’s through a frantic scream layered over a whirlwind of guitars.

Join the Conversation: What Does ‘Giraffe’ Mean to You?

Gilla Band’s ‘Giraffe’ is a profound mix of vulnerability and raw power. It asks us all: how do you express what’s hard to say? How do you accept love when it feels elusive? Share your thoughts and experiences—let’s keep this dialogue alive.

FAQ

• What makes ‘Giraffe’ stand out in Gilla Band’s discography?
  It’s their first new music in four years, showcasing their signature experimental style with raw, emotional vocals that dive into personal struggles.
• When is ‘Giraffe’ available to purchase?
  The track will be released as a 7” picture disc through Rough Trade starting May 29.
• What themes does Dara Kiely explore in ‘Giraffe’?
  The song deals with feelings of loneliness, difficulty articulating thoughts, and finding it hard to accept affection.
• Are there upcoming live shows where I can see Gilla Band?
  Yes, they have an extensive US tour in late 2026 followed by a European tour in early 2027 with dates listed above.
• Has Gilla Band’s lineup pursued other projects recently?
  Yes, guitarist Alan Duggan Borges launched The Null Club, releasing an EP featuring collaboration with other notable artists.

If Gilla Band’s music speaks to your soul, why not bring a piece of that raw energy into your space? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store here and celebrate the band’s boundary-breaking sounds every day.