Derry-based musician Little Kings has released his first bilingual single, Brionglóid Mhilis (Sweet Dream), combining English and Irish-language lyrics in a song about love, distance and acceptance.
Little Kings is the stage name of Ryan Harling, an Irish speaker originally from Hong Kong who has lived in Derry for the past nine years. Harling moved to Northern Ireland to study music at Ulster University, graduating in 2020 before developing a growing interest in the Irish language.
Speaking about the release, Harling said the track brings together two of his main passions.
“I’m buzzing to be on the verge of sharing Brionglóid Mhilis as a work that mixes two passions of mine – music and the Irish language,” he said.
Harling said his introduction to the Irish-language community came through his involvement with local activists during his time as Vice President of the Students’ Union. He later became involved with Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry, where he continued learning the language through classes.
The release follows two previous EPs and support from Help Musicians, as well as media coverage from the BBC and Radio Television Hong Kong. In 2025, Harling was selected for Glór Ár Linne, a development programme for musicians organised by Irish-language radio station Raidió Rí-Rá.
The initiative provided performance opportunities at events including Electric Picnic and Féile na Gealaí, while also supporting the recording of new material.
Brionglóid Mhilis tells the story of a couple facing separation as one partner prepares to move overseas. The song follows their attempts to come to terms with the change, ultimately arriving at a sense of acceptance despite the emotional impact of parting.
Musically, the track blends contemporary production with traditional storytelling themes. Drum machine rhythms, melodic bass lines and layered harmonies sit alongside bilingual lyrics, creating a modern folk-pop sound.
The song’s narrative has drawn comparisons with classic songs about separation and long-distance relationships, while its mix of Irish and English reflects the growing presence of the Irish language across a wider range of musical genres.
A music video for the release, features sock puppets as the central characters.
With Brionglóid Mhilis, Little Kings continues his musical journey while bringing together his songwriting and commitment to the Irish language in his first bilingual release.