Written and Composed by Kirby Howarth
Musical Arrangement by Mark Cottrell

Granddad Joe

Weg (Hey Maxine)

This one’s for anyone who’s ever apologized for being a person.

I’ve watched people I love shrink themselves — make their pain more palatable, their joy more polite. Afraid of being too emotional, too intense, too loud, too much. And I get it. I’ve done it, too. But damn, we weren’t made to be perfect. We were made to feel.

Messy & Alive is a celebration of the unfiltered moments. Crying in public. Laughing in the wrong place. Saying the wrong thing and still being loved. It’s not about spiraling — it’s about letting go of the need to constantly self-edit.

I didn’t write this from a place of chaos. I wrote it from a place of respect — for the ones who are trying to heal without pretending they’ve got it all together. For the ones who are showing up fully, flaws and all.

If this song does anything, I hope it gives someone permission to stop hiding the most honest parts of themselves.
Because messy doesn’t mean broken.
And being alive isn’t always clean — but it’s always worth it.

Messy & Alive

i Can See The Sun

Listen on Spotify

Taboo Run - i Can See The Sun

We’ve all done it — smiled through something that was slowly breaking us.
This song is about the version of ourselves we put on display: the curated smile, the polished posts, the moments we present while hiding everything else.
But behind that lens, there’s pain, pressure, and a desperate need to be seen for real.
Smile for the Camera is one of the most personal songs on the album — where the line “Nobody knows what I bury in songs” says what couldn’t be said out loud.

Smile for the Camera

Truth and light from the Shawnee Hills won't die in the smoke and mirrors of Chicago glass.

Crappie Sandwich and White Pie

This album has a substantial focus on loss and trying to move beyond it.

Alter

Text:
[Intro – whispered, with echo]
He bit the bat, he broke the night,
He walked through hell and held the mic
Now silence falls… but not for long
The Prince still howls — inside this song

[Verse 1]
Born in smoke, raised by flame
He carved his throne with no shame
Brummie son with a devil’s grin
Fell, rose, and fell again

The world called him mad, called him done
But Ozzy laughed and cursed the sun
He sang of war, of blood and pain
He made the broken scream again

[Chorus]
Prince of Darkness, ride the storm
Through power chords and uniform
You never died, you just went deep
Where shadows play and angels sleep
You're not gone, you're not dust
You're every scream, you're every trust
Ozzy, howl through amps and steel
You're the madness we still feel

(Guitar-Solo)

[Verse 2]
He bled through decades, torn and loud
A haunted king beneath the shroud
The drugs, the fame, the shattered breath
He danced with every kind of death

Yet somehow lived, and loved, and stayed
A broken god we all obeyed
He showed us fear, he gave us grace
With every riff, with every face

[Bridge – Spoken Word/Whispered]
He never asked to be a saint
Just louder than the world’s complaint
He took the pain, made it a spell
He showed us life… inside of hell

(Guitar-Solo)

[Final Chorus – Huge, like thunder]
Prince of Darkness, raise your hand
One last bow for the damned and the grand
We'll turn it up, we won’t forget
You lit the stage, it’s burning yet
You're the howl beneath our skin
The storm outside, the war within
Ozzy, forever in the sound…
Our Prince still walks the underground

[Outro – quiet, then roaring one last time]
“All aboard…”
Crazy train… still runs…

Prince of Darkness (Still Howls)

You say, you're an open book
"Turn my pages and take a look"
Well, I see we've had our ups and downs
Been on your merry-go-round
That chapter when we both fell in love
Only to grow further apart
These days we spend in bed
Alone with the things we've just said

This time is the last time
The very last time
Because I can't do this no more
My heart has spoken
Before it gets broken
And I walk out that door

You say, we'll give it another go
But I fear it's only for show
Because who wants to be the one
To pack up their bags and run
From that moment we had our big fight
We've been lost, ships in the night
Patching and scratching the paint away
Nothing left good to say

The Last Time

Don’t Let Me Go

Gloria

Kirby Howarth is a talented singer-songwriter hailing from the picturesque city of York in the United Kingdom. With a captivating blend of folk, indie, and blues influences, Kirby's music weaves together heartfelt storytelling, soulful melodies, and raw emotions.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the world around him, Kirby creates songs that resonate deeply with listeners. His lyrics are poignant and introspective, offering a glimpse into the human condition and the complexities of life. Accompanied by his soul-stirring acoustic guitar, Kirby's warm and emotive voice carries his melodies with a graceful authenticity that leaves a lasting impression.

Kirby's talent has garnered recognition beyond the local scene, with his music being featured on esteemed platforms such as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6, as well as receiving widespread airplay on various local radio stations. His performances are characterised by an intimate and genuine connection with the audience, where each song becomes a shared experience that touches hearts and lingers in the memory.

“Acoustic laid back new wave punk indie folk with a sprinkle of deep meaningful day to day observations on how the world goes round and round and round and sometimes I actually notice this happening and decide it’s worthy enough to write a song about.”
- Kirby Howarth

"In the years I’ve been tracking the progress of York singer songwriter Kirby Howarth it’s been fascinating to hear him refining his approach and zeroing in on the sound he’s been hearing inside his head all these years.
As a result, his songs grow ever more focussed and appealing"
- Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6

" A strong collection of songs, well written and delivered. The vocal styling is distinctive and appealing - you connect emotionally with the listener."
- Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6

" That's another fantastic song everyone's a gem from you, you write really really nice songs Kirby."
- Alan Raw, BBC Radio Leeds Introducing