Joe Doonan – Before You Leave ( Acoustic / Folk ) Review

Joe Doonan – Before You Leave – Acoustic / Folk.

At its core, the upcoming EP from singer-songwriter Joe Doonan is about the emotional fallout that follows when something meaningful between two people comes to an end.

But as Doonan explains, the project reaches far beyond the idea of a relationship simply not working out.

“It’s so much more than something not working out. The EP explores the process, and in many ways the sense of loss and stages of grief we all go through when something meaningful comes to an end.

It’s something that’s not talked about enough when dealing with important relationships coming to an end — no matter the type, how long or short-lived they might be.”

The EP captures a deeply human experience: the sudden absence of someone who once formed part of your everyday life.

“I’ve always struggled with the idea that someone can come along in life, be a part of your every day — sometimes for a short while, sometimes for many years — and then for one reason or another, they’re gone. Just like that. Living an alternate life you may never get to know and, in some cases, becoming a person you may never see again.”

Documenting a journey through love, emotional struggle, and the mental toll of trying to hold things together, the EP reflects the isolation that often follows the end of an important relationship.

Yet despite its themes of grief and uncertainty, the record ultimately arrives at a place of hope — recognising that while the absence someone leaves behind may feel overwhelming, it also creates space for something new, exciting, and the possibility to love more deeply than ever before.

New Release  – Before you leave

The EP’s focus track, before you leave, explores the overwhelming feeling of meeting someone who completely catches you off guard in the best possible way.

However, beneath the highs lies the quiet, unavoidable understanding that the connection may not last forever — like a ticking time bomb you can’t escape.

As reality slowly sets in, the track captures the painful inevitability of imagining a life together in some alternate world, before ultimately coming to terms with the need to let each other go.

About Joe Doonan

Joe Doonan is an established singer-songwriter whose music draws on real-life experiences of hope, love, and loss.

Recently, he has collaborated with a number of multi-platinum-selling and Emmy Award-winning songwriters from across the globe, including:

• Paddy Byrne (Tom Grennan, Paloma Faith)

• Rob Wells (Adam Lambert, Ariana Grande)

Doonan has continued to gain recognition for his work, earning a performance slot at Liverpool’s Official Eurovision Festival, Eurofest, and headlining the prestigious:

• The Bedford

Following a series of sell-out headline performances, he completed his debut Australian tour before embarking on his first UK tour in 2025.

Joe Doonan is set to release a series of singles throughout the year, culminating in the release of his upcoming EP.