Amble The Rarest Hour Single Review: Irish Folk Trio’s New Ballad

🎶 Amble’s ‘The Rarest Hour’: A Haunting New Irish Ballad Captures the Pull of Home

The Irish music scene continues to deliver gems, and the latest from the critically acclaimed trio Amble is no exception. Comprised of songwriters Robbie Cunningham, Oisin McCaffrey, and Ross Mc Nerney from the Midlands and West of Ireland, the band has just released their poignant new single, ‘The Rarest Hour’. This track arrives on the heels of their highly-praised 2025 EP, Hand Me Downs, further solidifying Amble’s place as a leading voice in contemporary Irish folk music.

If you’re looking for a song that beautifully balances nostalgia, reflective storytelling, and a deep sense of place, ‘The Rarest Hour’ is the essential addition to your playlist.

The Evolution of Amble: From Trad-Tinged Roots to Global Acclaim

Amble’s journey has been marked by a unique blend of traditional Irish musicality and modern songwriting sensibilities. Their 2023 debut, Amble (Live), introduced listeners to their musing, trad-tinged style. However, the subsequent release of their distinctive 2025 EP, Hand Me Downs, found the group—with Robbie Cunningham on vocals/guitar, Oisin McCaffrey on guitar, and Ross Mc Nerney on bouzouki—expanding their sound and reaching an ever-more global audience.

What sets Amble apart is the peerless body of work created by three individual songwriters. Their songs, including the fan favorite ‘Hand Me Downs,’ are built on familiar, ruminative observations about the world and the daily stories unfolding within it.

✨ ‘The Rarest Hour’: A Bittersweet Reflection on Home

Released on November 21st, 2025, ‘The Rarest Hour’ leans deeply into Amble’s folk roots, penned in the style of a classic Irish ballad. The song beautifully captures the universal, often bittersweet, enduring pull of home and the passage of time.

In their own words, the band notes that looking back on youth is “always bittersweet – the home in our mind which seems everlasting is in reality changing all the time. Home becomes where your people are.” This profound sentiment is delivered through Robbie Cunningham’s rich, emotive vocal, backed by the warm, autumnal instrumentation of Oisin McCaffrey and Ross Mc Nerney.

  • Genre Spotlight: Contemporary Irish Folk / Ballad

  • Key Themes: Nostalgia, Home, Memory, Passage of Time

  • Must-Listen For Fans Of: Dermot Kennedy, Kingfishr, Ye Vagabonds

The single is a gorgeously spare, reflective track that serves as a timeless meditation, making it a perfect listen for the holiday season and beyond.

Catch Amble Live: Selling Out Arenas

The release of ‘The Rarest Hour’ arrives during a landmark period for the band. Amble’s global rise is undeniable, with their debut album Reverie earning widespread acclaim and their extensive tour schedule selling out major venues. The trio has sold over 100,000 headline tickets in 2025 alone and is confirmed to open for Dermot Kennedy on his 2026 EU and UK tour, including massive dates at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.