Dublin band Kodaline have released the first single from their upcoming final album as they prepare for a world tour to bid farewell to their fans.
The four piece - Steve Garrigan, Vinny May, Jason Boland, and Mark Prendergast - announced they were splitting up last year after 14 years together and hits such as In a Perfect World, Give Me a Minute and High Hopes.
Their new song, the orchestral We Were Only Young, is the first song from their fifth and final album, which is due out later this year.
"We Were Only Young is a bittersweet song about looking back on better times, knowing you can't ever go back," says front man Garrigan.
"Like most songs I write, it comes from something real, that feeling of being part of something special, and only fully understanding it with time. In some ways, it reflects the journey we’ve been on together."
The band announced their surprise decision to break up last year, saying, "After over a decade together we've made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Kodaline.
"It might come as a surprise, and it's definitely bittersweet for us too.
"What we've shared has changed our lives forever.
"From busking on the streets of Dublin to playing shows across the world, it really has been the stuff that dreams are made of.
"We want it to end on a high, so before we say goodbye, we're heading into the studio one last time to record our fifth and final album as Kodaline.
"We are, and always will be, forever grateful for your love and support.
"It's been a journey that we'll never forget and we hope that the music stays with you long after we're gone."
Originally known as 21 Demands, the band formed in Swords in North County Dublin and changed their name to Kodaline in 2012 to reflect their new musical direction.
They released four albums, In a Perfect World (2013), Coming Up for Air (2015), Politics of Living (2018), and One Day at a Time (2020).
Kodaline last played in Ireland when they were among the Electric Picnic headliners in 2024.
The band launch their farewell tour of Ireland, UK, Asia and Australia in June with shows at Belfast’s Ulster Hall, Virgin Media Park in Cork, and Malahide Castle in Dublin.
