Cardinals are a five-piece from Cork whose debut album ‘Masquerade’ moves between hushed ballads, uneasy tension and moments of sudden release. Formed by brothers Euan and Finn Manning alongside cousin Darragh and schoolmates Oskar and Aaron, the band pull from folk, post-punk and darker shades of alternative rock without settling in one place for too long. Recorded at London’s RAK Studios with producer Shrink, the album embraces imperfection, shifting moods and vivid storytelling. It’s music that feels both intimate and restless, shaped as much by friendship and shared references as by the city they call home.