Cardinals – “I Like You” [Video]

“Cork’s Next Breakout Just Made Their Sweetest Move Yet“

Cork’s Cardinals are rolling into 2026 with momentum to spare. Today, the five piece share their new single “I Like You,” the final preview from their upcoming debut Masquerade, due February 13 via So Young Records. If this track is any indication, the buzz around this band is more than justified.

“I Like You” leans into warmth and openness, driven by a gently swaying accordion and a melodic pull that feels instantly familiar without sounding safe. It is romantic without being soft, tender without losing its edge. Already a favorite at recent shows, the song captures Cardinals at their most inviting, letting feeling lead while the arrangement stays loose and alive.

Frontman Euan Manning describes the track as a reset moment for the band. Written early in the album process, it snapped everything back into focus after a long creative lull. The opening line nods to “My Funny Valentine,” filtered through the band’s own lens and lived experience. It feels personal without oversharing, the kind of song that lands because it knows when to hold back.

Masquerade plays with contrast in a way vinyl heads will appreciate. The record’s first half leans outward with clarity and emotional lift, while the second half sinks into heavier moods and sharper corners. That A side B side mindset pulls from folk, goth rock drama, and classic indie instincts, all stitched together with confidence and purpose.

Made up of brothers Euan and Finn Manning, their cousin Darragh, and longtime friends Oskar Gudinovic and Aaron Hurley, Cardinals have quickly become one of the most talked about names in Ireland’s independent scene. They have shared stages with Fontaines D.C., Wunderhorse, NewDad, and The Pogues, while their early material has already landed in Netflix’s House of Guinness and EA Sports’ Skate series.

Masquerade will be available across multiple formats, including a Rough Trade exclusive Galaxy vinyl, retail and artist store variants, CD, and cassette.

Pre-order Masquerade here: https://soyoungecords.co.uk

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Cardinals – Live Dates

5 March 2026 – Belfast, Ulster Sports Club
6 March 2026 – Cork, St Luke’s
7 March 2026 – Dublin, The Workman’s Club
10 March 2026 – Bristol, The Exchange
11 March 2026 – London, The Garage
13 March 2026 – Manchester, YES (Pink Room)
14 March 2026 – Newcastle, The Grove
15 March 2026 – Glasgow, King Tut’s

15–17 May 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Block Party