Garrett Anthony Rice’s new single, “In The Darkness With The Spirit Of The Lake (A Family Tragedy),” is a chilling addition to his upcoming double album Equinox. Set at Blessington Lake in County Wicklow, Ireland, the track tells the story of a young boy drowning while addressed by the Púca, the ancient spirit said to dwell beneath the water. Drawing on Irish mythology and the haunting waters of the Poulaphouca Reservoir, Rice creates a story that is both intimate and unsettling.

The song moves with the calm and stillness of deep night waters. A drifting melody carries the listener while the lyrics chart a quiet surrender that slowly shifts toward darkness. Rice allows the tension to build gradually, giving space for the listener to settle into the story before being drawn deeper. The result is a quiet but immersive descent into a tragic narrative.

As the voice of the Púca emerges, the imagery becomes more immediate and eerie. This is not the lake itself speaking but the spirit beneath it, addressing the boy as if the ending is already written. “Finality comes quietly, which is exactly why it stays,” Rice says, describing the song’s conclusion. The structure thins, leaving only the subtle pulse of the water and the persistent presence of the unseen entity. Listeners are left with the sense that the lake has not finished deciding who it will speak to next.

Hailing from County Dublin and living in Greystones, County Wicklow with his family for twenty years, Rice is making his mark on the global music scene. Equinox is his first double album and the second record of his career. Eighteen tracks were selected from thirty demos recorded across the UK and Ireland in 2024. Early listeners and music professionals are already praising the album as a standout Irish release.

Rice previously released his debut under the alias (i) CONSULT in October 2023 with Reflections Part II, the very best of……, which was streamed in ninety-three countries and caught the attention of UK producer Chris Potter, known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, and The Verve. Early singles from Equinox like “My Sons” and “Property (An Ode To Roger Syd Barrett, a genius, 1946-infinity),” highlight Rice’s ability to weave personal and musical history into his work.

In The Darkness With The Spirit Of The Lake (A Family Tragedy) continues this exploration, expanding Rice’s themes of longing, danger, and quiet surrender into the realm of myth. Equinox will be available to pre-save on vinyl and all platforms closer to its release.