Featuring Special Guest Collaborations from Anaïs Mitchell, Susan O’Neill, Lisa Hannigan, Jenn Grant, Jeffrey Martin & More
Shares “In The Gutter”
“Irish singer-songwriter’s big gamble pays off” — MOJO (★★★★)
“A true craftsman” — Record Collector (★★★★)
Watch / Share “In The Gutter”: https://ffm.to/inthegutter
May 22, 2026 — The House Must Win, the critically acclaimed new double album by Irish singer-songwriter Mick Flannery, is out today via One Riot Records. The House Must Win is a world Flannery has been carefully building for over two decades. The double album features reimaginings of songs from Flannery’s 2005 debut album Evening Train alongside 10 new songs and orchestrations that span the full story of his highly acclaimed stage production of the same name, which made its world premiere in Ireland over the last 5 weeks to a staggering sold-out run of 17,000 people.
“These stray people, who might have strolled in from Bruce Springsteen’s imagination, all get to sing their song…A triumphant version of that rare thing, a new Irish classic musical,” cited The Irish Independent. The Irish Examiner described the debut production as “Nick Cave or Tom Waits-style Americana meets Tom Murphy” (★★★★).
An array of special guest artists join Flannery on the many duets and ensemble pieces across the record. Among them are GRAMMY Award-winning artist Anaïs Mitchell, Portland songwriter Jeffrey Martin, Canadian multi-JUNO Award nominee Jenn Grant, Mercury Music Prize nominee Lisa Hannigan and Choice Music Prize nominee Susan O’Neill, together with West Cork folk singer Marybeth O’Mahony, longtime collaborator Yvonne Daly, Belfast artist and The House Must Win cast member Tabitha Smyth, and Flannery’s brothers Brian, David, and Eamonn, who make their recording debut.
Flannery also shares a luminous live performance of the reimagined single “In The Gutter” today. Captured at The Everyman Theatre in Cork, the video was recorded and mixed by Sandra O’Mahony and edited by Grace Keane O’Connor. On the track Flannery says: “A young man, in his attempts at self-redemption, pleads with his lover to take him back and help him on his better path. The clock, had alas, already ran out.”
The House Must Win has already received praise from MOJO (★★★★) and Record Collector (★★★★). Flannery, who has accumulated numerous No. 1 records and awards in Ireland over his career, will celebrate the release with two special live performances at Vicar Street, Dublin on June 25th and 26th with an array of guests from the album.
Flannery’s ninth studio album, The House Must Win, was recorded in Cork City, Ireland with long-time collaborator Christian Best and American producer and arranger Liam Robinson.
Speaking of the recording process, Mick says: “The band on this record have been working on these arrangements with us for the past few years. It’s been a great experience to capture the recording ahead of the stage production and to be able to share the story and the songs in this format.”
The band is made up of some of Ireland’s finest musicians: Matthew Berrill (reeds), Killian Browne (piano, banjo, harmonium), Niamh Varian-Barry (violin/viola), Dan Bodwell (double bass), and Dominic Mullan (drums). Liam Robinson arranged all the pieces, new and old, and also plays and sings on the record.
From the opening moments, the arrangements and production transport the listener into another world. Through Flannery’s signature storytelling lyrics, The House Must Win carries the listener toward a shoreline of deeply human stories of love, regret, pride, and longing, and confirms Flannery’s place as a master of his craft.
The House Must Win is out now via One Riot Records.
Praise for Mick Flannery
“…conjures up exquisite story-telling.” — The Sunday Times
“Mick Flannery has a voice for the ages, a complete master of his craft.” — Clash Magazine
“Flannery continues to prove himself to be one of our finest singers, songwriters and sonic storytellers.” — The Irish Times
“Flannery has mastered the art of subtle persuasion… That’s where true songs are sung.” — Boston Globe
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