
On May 2, Irish indie rock artist SAOL released her debut single, “Fool’s Gold,” a piercing critique of far-right rhetoric and its exploitation of marginalized communities. The track, already surpassing 2,000 streams across platforms, was inspired by singer-songwriter Zoë Gough’s personal experience with homophobia in a Dublin bar.
“For me, Fool’s Gold is a response to the rising tide of misdirected anger and hate,” Gough said, describing the song as both a personal reckoning and a broader call for unity and empathy.
Blending shimmering shoegaze textures with 1990s pop nostalgia, “Fool’s Gold” marks a bold new direction for Gough, formerly of Dreaming of Jupiter. Under the name SAOL, Irish for “life”, she explores identity, mental health, and sociopolitical issues with poetic lyricism and melodic depth. An album is currently in development, promising further explorations of Ireland’s cultural landscape and contemporary struggles.
