Ciarán walks up to my table at a Fort Greene pub with a Guinness in hand and a gold pendant emblazoned with the word “Palestine” draped around his neck. He’s dressed in a heavy black hoodie, despite the sweltering August heat. The elusive musician is reserved, yet warm; he smiles often, though he rarely makes direct eye contact. “I’ve been a shy person my entire life,” he admits. “I’m not good at talking myself up.”

For many, this is the first time hearing the Belfast-born artist speak, despite having spent the better part of a decade listening to his distinct, melodious vocals. The world first encountered him as the BROCKHAMPTON member Bearface. Even at the height of the group’s acclaim in the late 2010s, Ciarán remained a figure of mystery—the scraggly-faced, sweet-voiced vocalist best known for anchoring the group’s albums with powerhouse ballads.

A New Chapter as Ciarán

In the four years since BROCKHAMPTON disbanded in 2022, the artist remained largely silent—until this past July, when he announced his return under his first name, Ciarán. The announcement was accompanied by the release of “K-Bar,” a swaying, emotive ballad that highlights his signature falsetto over a unique, toy-like drum beat. It is a bold step forward for an artist who spent years as a vital, yet secondary, component of a larger collective.

Reflecting on his time in the group, Ciarán notes that while he contributed to their success, his creative process was often solitary. “I was very much a role player,” he says. “I was just like, ‘All right, I’ll do that.’” Now, with his forthcoming album Róisín, set for release on November 6 via NinjaTune, he is finally stepping into the spotlight on his own terms.

The audience sat rapt, largely silent until the show ended, when everyone rose for a rapturous standing ovation.

His recent live performance at a packed church in Manhattan served as a testament to his enduring connection with fans. Despite the long hiatus, the room was filled with listeners eager to hear his new direction. The album, he explains, is a product of experimentation and collaboration with a tight-knit circle of friends, drawing inspiration from the textures of Prince and D’Angelo.

Finding His Own Voice

The title Róisín is deeply personal, inspired by the name his mother would have given him had he been born a girl. It represents a shift toward storytelling that moves beyond the standard tropes of love songs. Ciarán finds inspiration in the lives of “journeymen”—people committed to their craft without the expectation of fame or glitz. This grounded approach permeates the record, which balances funk-infused grooves with haunting, atmospheric production.

Ultimately, Ciarán is content with the deliberate pace of his solo career. He is no longer chasing the rapid-fire output of his past, preferring instead to ensure that every note reflects his true artistic vision. “If you try to maximize a few streams, it comes at a greater cost,” he says. “I’d rather be able to look back and be like, ‘I did it exactly how I wanted to do it.’”