Track of the Day: AILSHA x Aran Sheehy - 'Burn'

Wicklow alt-pop artist AILSHA has returned with an ambient, intense piece of dance-pop — 'Burn' in collaboration with Aran Sheehy.

Beginning with airy, Lana Del Ray-esque vocals superimposed over drawn out reverb, the track refracts into a breathless, techno-forward piece — seeing the marriage of AILSHA and Sheehy's vocals in gorgeous, soaring harmony. Drawing a tension between the ever-moving, shifting base instrumentals and swirling melody, 'Burn' is at home in the strobing, dark spaces of dance-clubs, dripping with infectious intensity.

The song marks the first time the singer has collaborated with another artist. Teaming up with fellow Wicklow-native Aran Sheehy, her weightless vocals match perfectly with his otherworldly synths; creating something unconventional, but undeniably compelling.

"I always wanted to make a song like this- something that sounds like it is its own realm," AILSHA explained. "It has been exciting to try something new that is a step away from my typical, playful style of writing. Aran and I are both obsessed with space, so we decided to give our inner space cadettes time to shine in this track!"

Self-described 'Pop Goth,' AILSHA has made a splash with her signature style of bubblegum pop. Though still in her first year of releasing, her singles have seen both national and international support — landing on the shortlist for two Hot Press hotties categories, being Track of the Week on TodayFM and reaching #1 on the Irish iTunes charts for her debut single, 'FBOY.'

It's been an exciting year for co-creator Aran Sheehy, too. One half of the Wicklow-based electronic duo Manyana, 'Burn' marks his first foray into a solo career.

"I've wanted to spread my musical wings for quite some time now, and what better person to do that with than AILSHA," he commented. " It was an absolute pleasure to get to work with someone who lives and breathes music in the same way that I do, but also someone who approaches it from a completely different perspective. I've always loved pop music, and really believe that in 'Burn', AILSHA and myself have crafted a song that is truly one of a kind. If I had to label it, I would say it's a space-pop banger, sort of like what you'd expect to get if Grimes ever collaborated with Modeselektor"

Receiving two grants from The Arts Council of Ireland and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for two new albums, hosting a weekly show called Emerald Sounds For Downda Road Radio and working as a producer for bands The Human Man, Simon Jewell and others, exciting things are ahead for the musician.

'Burn' was written, produced, performed and mastered by AILSHA and Aran Sheehy.

Check out 'Burn,' below: