Experiencing the enthralling music of Eoin French, the esteemed Irish artist also known as Talos, was akin to embarking on a journey to a strikingly beautiful, uncanny alternate realm. Unfortunately, he recently succumbed to a brief illness. French, a previous architecture lecturer at University College Cork, exhibited a profound understanding of the core tenets of effective songwriting, amplifying his talents with a distinctive edge for enigmatic, spectral pop. His unique and richly layered sound worldbegan with his initial creation, Wild Alee in 2017 and culminated with Dear Chaos in 2022, marking his departure as a significant loss to Ireland’s indie music landscape.
French’s creative brilliance lay in his ability to produce novel and exciting music by reformulating known influences astoundingly. He was seeped in the cryptic indie tunes of the Cocteau Twins and the avant-garde folk by Bon Iver, yet also honed by mainstream artists like Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon. However, his music encapsulated his unique identity, often punctuated by ominous soundscapes, and unvarnished, susceptible vocals, an intriguing balance acclaimed by the New York Times as having an “intense, unnerving intricacy”.
French remained devoted to his evolving artistry, avoiding repetitive patterns. In 2017, he openly discussed his aspirations to perpetually develop as a songwriter, aspiring to carve inspiration from a vast spectrum, rather than getting locked in monotony that risks tedium. His music, far from being monotonous, enthralled all listeners. His music catalogue resonated with a resplendent torment that simultaneously felt covertly personal, akin to secrets softly shared amongst close acquaintances. His 2019 album, Far Out Dust was fittingly released at Dublin’s Pepper Canister church, reflecting the hymn-like nature of his melodies; his songs incited awe and longing, bordering on the Divine.
The life journey of this individual was significantly shaped by unexpected turns of events. Originating from the northern part of Cork city, he was preparing to relocate to Los Angeles to delve into the architectural world when his partner contracted tuberculosis. Overwhelmed by the circumstances, he said, “I found myself at a crossroads and decided to stay put in Cork. Suddenly life became a blank canvas and I felt compelled to initiate something.”
That ‘something’ turned out to be Talos, a venture born during a phase of ambiguity with songwriting being its only certain element. “I found myself gravitating towards classic music. I got introduced to Tim Buckley, and started exploring Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon. Concurrently, I also had a taste for more contemporaneous influences such as These New Puritans and Alt-J.”
Despite deeply immersing himself in music, French lived a varied life, fluctuating between Cork and Reykjavik, playing rugby with Sunday’s Well in his home city, and imparting tutoring sessions at the Cork Centre for Architectural Education. Yet, he possessed a relentless dedication towards his artistry. In December 2019, he abandoned a complete album believing it didn’t live up to the lofty standards set by Far Out Dust. He returned to the genesis of the process, and created the splendid album Dear Chaos – born, he revealed to Hot Press, amid the darkness of the pandemic.
“We’ve all had our fair share of hardships in the past two years, though the album morphed into a steady companion,” he confessed to the publication. “Whether steeped in grief or brimming with joy, it provided an outlet for my varied emotions… whatever they may have been. It ultimately served as a lifeboat through the turbulent waves.”
His creation will persist in offering his audience a beacon of hope amid life’s trials. As they grieve his loss, his fans can derive comfort from the phenomenal legacy he left behind: hauntingly beautiful music that undulates with darkness, throbs with intrigue and, most importantly, glows from French’s humility and empathetic heart.