In a move that stunned fans across the globe, Westlife quietly released a surprise acoustic EP at midnight titled One Last Ride – Unplugged—a stripped-back, emotionally charged collection that revisits the band’s classic sound while pushing into refreshingly intimate territory. What no one saw coming, however, was the inclusion of a secret duet with global pop phenomenon Ed Sheeran, along with a hidden track recorded spontaneously in a bustling Dublin pub.
The project arrives without traditional promotion, press campaigns, or even the band’s usual social-media countdowns. Instead, fans awoke to a simple midnight post: “One Last Ride – Unplugged. Out now.” Within minutes, the EP was trending worldwide.
A Return to Roots—Raw, Warm, and Unfiltered
Westlife, known for their soaring harmonies and timeless ballads, take a surprisingly raw approach on the new EP. Comprised of six official tracks and one “secret” track that appears only after a minute of silence, One Last Ride – Unplugged strips away their signature orchestral swells, letting acoustic guitars, warm-room reverb, and gentle vocal layering take center stage.
The EP opens with an earthy reimagining of “Flying Without Wings,” rebuilt around a delicate finger-picked arrangement that highlights the richness of Shane Filan’s and Mark Feehily’s blended vocal tones. “Swear It Again” follows with an almost folk-like gentleness, giving the 25-year-old hit an entirely new emotional depth.
“This EP was about reconnecting—not just with the songs, but with why we started singing together in the first place,” Kian Egan said in a statement released hours after the drop. “No studio tricks. No big walls of sound. Just us, a few guitars, and some late-night inspiration.”
The Secret Ed Sheeran Duet That’s Already Breaking the Internet
Track four, titled “One Last Ride,” has quickly become the most talked-about moment on the project—not only because it’s a brand-new song, but because it features an uncredited guest vocal that fans instantly recognized as Ed Sheeran.
Sheeran, whose admiration for Westlife has been widely documented, slips seamlessly into the song’s melodic arc, joining the group on a bittersweet acoustic pop ballad that feels tailor-made for live stadium crowds. His verse—gentle, lyrical, and unmistakably “Sheeran”—adds fresh dimension to the nostalgic Westlife sound.
Though neither camp initially confirmed the collaboration, Sheeran later reposted a clip of the track with the caption, “Always been a Westlife fan. Honoured to sing this with the lads.”
The duet, which blends Sheeran’s signature folk-pop warmth with Westlife’s harmonies, is already being hailed by fans as one of the band’s best collaborations in years.
The Hidden Track: A Dublin Pub, One Take, and Pure Magic
Perhaps the most unexpected—and instantly beloved—moment on the EP comes after the official tracklist concludes. Following a minute of silence, listeners are greeted by the unmistakable ambience of a busy Dublin pub: clinking glasses, hushed conversations, distant laughter, and an impromptu acoustic performance that feels profoundly intimate.
The hidden track—titled unofficially by fans as “Sláinte to the Songs”—was reportedly recorded on the band’s recent night out in Dublin. According to a behind-the-scenes Instagram story posted hours after the EP dropped, the band had ended up singing harmonies with local musicians at The Stag’s Tail, a well-known pub on Dame Lane. Someone recorded the performance on a handheld device, capturing a raw blend of Westlife vocals and the pub’s natural energy.
What makes the track special is its looseness: slightly imperfect harmonies, the soft hum of conversation, and a final eruption of applause from surprised pub-goers who had no idea they were witnessing what would later become a worldwide release.
Fans are already calling it “the most Westlife thing Westlife has ever done.”
A Love Letter to Their Legacy—and to Their Fans
While Westlife’s debut album celebrated its 26th anniversary this year, One Last Ride – Unplugged feels less like nostalgia and more like a celebration of endurance, friendship, and musical evolution. It demonstrates the band’s willingness to continue reinventing themselves without losing the sincerity that made them global icons in the first place.
More than anything, the EP feels like a thank-you—a warm nod to the fan community that has supported them through reunions, hiatuses, departures, and reinventions.
“This EP was for the fans who’ve been with us all these years,” Nicky Byrne wrote in an early-morning post. “For every crowd, every lyric shouted back at us, every moment we’ve shared. This is our little midnight gift.”
What Comes Next?
With the unexpected success of One Last Ride – Unplugged, rumors are already swirling about a potential acoustic world tour—or even a larger collaborative project with Ed Sheeran, who has previously written for the group.
For now, however, fans are content replaying the EP on loop, dissecting harmonies, celebrating the Sheeran surprise, and searching for clues in the pub recording.
With zero warning and maximum emotional impact, Westlife has once again proven their enduring ability to surprise and delight. And if One Last Ride – Unplugged is any indication, the band’s next chapter may be its most heartfelt yet.
If you’d like, I can also create:
- A shorter news-style version
- A press-release version
- A fan-blog version
- Social-media captions promoting the EP
- A track-by-track breakdown
Just let me know!
