Limerick-born, New Jersey–based roots artist Helen O’Shea is set to release her new single “Chaos” on October 10 — the third single from her highly anticipated album Songs In The Key of O, which pays homage to Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries), and is due for release on March 6, 2026.

Announcing the album in July with a special Jersey-girls cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s “Dense Water Deep Down,” O’Shea earned strong international support from Hot Press, Front View Magazine, Vents Magazine and more, launching the highly collaborative LP with flair. Following this was the August release of “Rock and Roll Angel (feat. Barry Murphy),” a delicate original track penned with two-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer Marc Swersky in honor of Dolores O’Riordan.

For many songwriters, the saying goes that one writes what one knows, and Helen O’Shea admits to living in “Chaos” for a period of time before channeling her emotions into this third single release and second original song from the album.

She explains, “‘Chaos’ describes the inside of a mind full of to-do list items competing with each other, leading to complete overwhelm, but with a resounding note of hope at the end…,” an air of positivity that defines much of her discography.

O’Shea’s longtime producer, Marc Swersky, infuses the single with the atmosphere of modern times — hustle, bustle, distractions and urgency — while evoking the feel of the 1990s with a nod to the great artists of the Lilith Fair era. The track features technical guitar work by Andrew Carillo (Joan Osborne, James Maddock), sublime keys from Rob Clores (The Black Crowes, Jesse Malin), and dynamic drums and percussion from Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors).

The upcoming album Songs in the Key of O (out March 6, 2026) features a stellar list of collaborators, including Nathan Bishop, Nicole Scorsone, Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – E Street Choir), Fiona Tyndall, and Lauren O’Shea. The LP was engineered by Jack Daley (Spin Doctors), mixed by Seth Von Paulus (Linda Perry), and mastered by Leon Zervos.

With the heart of a healer and the grace of grit, Ireland-born, New Jersey-based artist Helen O’Shea is trailblazing a path of hope and possibility, sharing her unguarded story so others may step fully into their power. Her journey from medicine to motherhood to music embodies resilience, reinvention, and the power of healing. Blending Americana and Celtic influences into her signature sound, which she calls AmeriCeltiCana, her music resonates deeply with women and mothers rediscovering themselves later in life.

Before music, Helen dedicated years to a distinguished medical career as an obstetrician/gynecologist. She attended University College Galway, where she met her husband Paul O’Shea, PhD, then served as an Assistant Professor at McGill University in Montreal, becoming a leader in perinatal research and medical education. She created Healing in Medicine, a groundbreaking course teaching physicians how to navigate the complexities of caring for vulnerable patients and families.

Her return to the U.S. in 2011 brought change. At her children’s request, she stepped away from medicine to be at home, a transition that opened the door to her long-suppressed passion for music. Helen quickly became a force in the independent music scene, collaborating with Swersky, winning Best Americana Song for “Sturdy Soul” at the Global Music Awards, and earning nominations at the 2024 Josie Awards and International Singer-Songwriter Awards.

Song Credits:
Writer: Helen McNamara
Producer: Marc Swersky
Vocals: Helen O’Shea
BGVs: Brielle Brown, Michelle Moore, Lauren O’Shea
Acoustic & Bass Guitars: Marc Swersky
Electric Guitars: Andrew Carillo
Piano/Keys/Accordion: Rob Clores
Drums/Percussion: Aaron Comess
Engineer: Jack Daley
Mixing: Seth Von Paulus
Mastering: Leon Zervos

The story behind Songs In The Key Of O is simple: it is a love letter to two of Helen’s greatest influences, Sinéad O’Connor and Dolores O’Riordan. Growing up in Limerick, Helen longed for a life in song, though her father directed her toward medicine. After his tragic death in a car accident, she felt him guiding her back to singing from beyond the grave.

As a medical student, Helen was transfixed by Sinéad’s debut on the Irish Late Late Show, and later inspired when her brother brought home a mixtape featuring Dolores’ “Linger.” These moments stayed with her, shaping her musical journey decades later. With Songs In The Key Of O, Helen honors their legacies and the cultural spirit they represent.

Album Running Order:

1. “Caged Birds” – Original (feat. Liam O’Maonlaí)

2. “Rock And Roll Angel” – Original (feat. Barry Murphy)

3. “Chaos” – Original

4. “Dense Water Deeper Down” – Cover (Sinéad O’Connor) feat. Brielle Brown, Sharon Lasher, Fiona Tyndall, Jo Wymer

5. “Dreaming My Dreams” – Cover (Dolores O’Riordan)

6. “If U Ever” – Cover (Sinéad O’Connor) feat. James Maddock

7. “Saving Grace” – Cover (Dolores O’Riordan)

8. “Last Day Of Our Acquaintance” – Cover (Sinéad O’Connor) feat. Brad Butcher

9. “Lost” – Cover (Dolores O’Riordan)

10. “Unbecoming (KO Version)” – Original (feat. Fiona Tyndall)

11. “Shine” – Original (feat. Michelle Moore)

12. “There Will Be Days” – Original (feat. Caroline Carlile and The Carlile Family Band)