After releasing her critically acclaimed EP, Tírdhreacha Agus Fuaimdhreacha (Landscapes & Soundscapes), and smashing subsequent single ‘Awe na Mná’; Clare Sands has announced her self-titled album alongside the stunning video for new single ‘Sail On’.

The sixth generation fiddler, bilingual singer and multi-instrumentalist describes the song as a sensual and passionate outpouring of the heart - one that speaks one truth: "ní neart go cur le chéile".

The incredible video, premiered below by Hot press, takes inspiration from Tadhg Ó Ciardha’s painting 'Mná Aránn (Aran Women)'. The work of art depicts two women in traditional Aran island dress embracing.

To mark Pride month, Clare Sands and long-time collaborator ​​Liadain Ní Bhraonáin invited four couples to join them in celebrating their love - with powerful and passionate results.

The couples (Carmel and Toma; Gordan and Joel; Darren and Dave; Beryl and Haddie) each present a unique aspect of themselves, while the Connemara landscapes bring a gorgeous ambience and wild nostalgia to the piece. It melds traditional and contemporary versions of Ireland, noting that queer people have always existed.

Stripping it all back to nature, the four couples each embrace at differing stages of the video while older footage is spliced in between underwater shots.

"The sea is our strength / On these western shores / Falling golden sands / Your caressing hands / Our bodies glide / We move with the tide / The thunder she roars, you cry out for more," Sands sings. Clare's epic ability to draw on the island's history while simultaneously seeing our society's future makes the stand out track even more thunderous.

Recorded between West Cork and West Galway, ‘Sail On’ features pulsating guitar and rousing strings arranged/performed by Sands, harmonies from sister Lainey Sands, Aisling Urwin’s melodious harp, and percussion that rolls in like the waves - all combining to create that unique driving ‘Folk Fiunniúil’ sound

“I wanted to release ‘Sail On’ during Pride, to celebrate the love that people share for each other, and to celebrate the freedom that we should all strive towards in our society - that people should be allowed to be exactly who they want to be," the musician explains. "‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’ - no matter creed, culture, colour, if we don’t all work together there is no hope; ‘there is no strength without unity’.”

Of the visuals, Liadain Ní Bhraonáin said: “Shooting across four sea-side locations, we asked the couples to remember their first embrace and all they have been through together since. These encounters are woven between underwater scenes of intertwined lovers and home video footage from Connemara recorded during the spring and summer of 2020/21.”

Clare’s upcoming self-titled album, due for release in late September, explores tradition, the sea, and the power of women through the dark and light, love and loss, and the rise and fall.

Written and recorded over two years along the West coast from Mizen to Malin, Clare found a path where the Irish and English language, traditional, folk, and contemporary music meet.

Clare’s distinctive melodies, pulsating rhythms and powerful voice are interwoven with spoken word guests Manchán Magan, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Tommy Sands, and musical guests Aisling Urwin, Steve Cooney & Susan O’Neill.

“This Fearless Folk album is for the young and the old, brave and the bold. Join me in this celebration of fearlessness, resilience, love and hope. Bígí liom.”

Watch the stunning video for 'Sail On' below.