By Colin 
Shannon Gillespie makes a confident return with her sparkling new single ‘One For The Road’, released last week. The Wigan-based singer-songwriter steps into a bold new chapter, pairing lyrical honesty with an infectious full-band sound inspired by Pale Waves, The Beaches and Olivia Rodrigo.
After stepping back from releasing music to refine her songwriting, Shannon returns re-energised. ‘One For The Road’ is a feel-good anthem about first dates, awkward moments and the kind of late-night chaos only Liverpool can provide. Sonically bright and lyrically sharp, it is a song made for the end of summer – part indie-pop glow, part emotional release.
“I took some time out after my last release in 2023 to really develop my songwriting and explore a fuller sound,” she said. “I played my first headline show with a band, and that experience of reimagining my music with more musicians completely changed the way I wanted to create.”
From the first beat, ‘One For The Road’ carries a sense of movement. Glistening guitar lines and live drums lift Shannon’s vocal into new territory, while her lyrics keep things grounded in detail. There is a nervous buzz that runs through the track, wrapped in humour and the sort of self-awareness that makes pop storytelling land.
The influence of artists like Nieve Ella and Pale Waves can be heard in the energy and production choices, but Shannon’s voice remains distinct. She has always written with openness, and this single shows how that honesty can thrive within a bigger, louder sound.
The lyrics walk a fine line between vulnerability and boldness, capturing the thrill and uncertainty of romantic beginnings. There is wine, laughter and a little overthinking, but also a desire to be truly seen. That tension gives the track its pulse.
A fresh chapter for a rising voice
With ‘One For The Road’, Shannon proves that the time away from the spotlight was worth it. This single reintroduces her not as a brand-new artist, but as one who has grown in confidence and craft. It is a leap forward in sound and a glimpse of what is still to come.
Whether it ends up on festival playlists or played in cars at closing time, this song captures a moment many know well. It is about the excitement of something new and the fear that often comes with it – all packaged in a track that feels both timeless and current.
Review
‘One For The Road’ blends bright guitars with catchy vocal lines and enough emotional texture to keep things grounded. Shannon Gillespie’s voice moves with ease across the verses, full of charm and wit, before opening up into a chorus that begs to be sung back by a crowd.
This is not a quiet comeback. It is a fully formed return from an artist who has clearly found her voice and her sound. The single feels playful, but there is real heart underneath. It captures a familiar chaos with clarity, making it one of the strongest indie-pop offerings of the summer.
You can follow Shannon over on Instagram.