“Ireland in 2009” by Nashville-based singer and songwriter Caroline Romano is an ode to gritty teenage romance. “It’s a story of falling in love in car parks and waking up in your school clothes,” the alt-pop artist stated. “It’s about being far too young to know anything at all and the all-or-nothing emotions that come with juvenescence.”

Well, if, like me, the title left you a bit confused considering Caroline’s age, she explains that the song was actually inspired by the movie Cherrybomb which was made in Belfast. Romano remarks, “I’ve never been to Ireland, and I was only 8 years old in 2009, but I’m obsessed with scenarios I know I’ll never experience. I think we all have our own versions and our own times and places of ‘Ireland in 2009.’ I hope this song reminds you of yours.”

Musically, the upbeat indie-pop/rock track matches the wild energy in the lyrics. Listen and keep up with Caroline Romano on Instagram.