Æ MAK
Aoife McCann and Ellie McMahon learned their craft as vocalists at BIMM Dublin – but good luck pinning their sound down, geographically or otherwise. There’s more than a hint of tUnE-yArDs in their irreverent sonics and rhythmic delivery, but the ideas bursting from every tune they’ve unveiled so far show that they’re impossible to pigeonhole. Ably assisted by a five-piece band when performing live, the pair’s energetic efforts at Knockanstockan, Electric Picnic and Other Voices offered plenty to convince discerning ears that they’re the real deal. Recent EP I Can Feel It In My Bones, meanwhile, simply reinforced the fact that the twosome will be a force to reckon with in the months and years to come.
HEAR: What they have to offer at soundcloud.com/aemakoffical
SEE: The video for the superb ‘I Can Feel It In My Bones’ on YouTube

AHREN-B
London-born, though entirely at home in the Yeats County from a young age, the Sligo lyricist and producer was something of a prodigy early in his career, with singles like ‘King of the Castle’ earning much praise – and ‘Limitless’ even convincing D12’s Bizarre that he needed to get in on the action. More recent exploits have been just as successful; latest LP Affliction landed on shelves late last year to widespread approval. Rhymes dealing with the realities, harsh and otherwise, of life are accompanied by consistently slick and soulful beats – the years spent studying sound engineering at Pulse clearly paying off! In the burgeoning hip-hop scene in this country, his is certainly a name to look out for in the months ahead.
HEAR: The new album Affliction, out now on iTunes
SEE: The video for the soulful ‘World On My Shoulders’ on YouTube

ARBORIST
When a debut single features none other than Kim Deal, you know you’re onto something special. And while ‘Twisted Arrow’ was certainly a beguiling beginning, things have only got better for the Belfast-based collective, led by songwriter and frontman Mark McCambridge. Their eagerly awaited LP Home Burial proved to be an extraordinarily rewarding slice of Americana, where heavy-duty lyricism mingled with easy-on-the-ear arrangements; simultaneously melancholic and uplifting, it’s a credit to McCambridge’s awesome talents. A live show that’s been recruited as support by everyone from Guy Garvey to Echo and the Bunnymen is spreading the good news even further, and attention from overseas means catching him should be put on the to-do list post-haste.
HEAR: The stunning debut album, available at arboristmusic.bandcamp.com
SEE: The video for choice cut ‘A Man Of My Age’ on YouTube

THE BURMA
Anyone in fear that the conveyor-belt of winning guitar bands might be slowing down would be well advised to check out this Cobh quintet before writing any epitaphs. Purveyors of a decidedly funky lo-fi sound, the pop-rockers are as suited to the dancefloor as the dive bar, as bouncy basslines underpin earwig melodies and shimmering guitar lines. Indeed, the fact that they cite the likes of The Strokes and The Killers as inspirations comes as little surprise. In time honoured tradition, their roots lie in a school concert six years ago, but recent releases like ‘Love Fades’ suggest that they’re ready to graduate to the big time. Support slots for The Strypes and The Academic in December 2016 gave the band a taste of big stages – it may not be long before they have those venues all to themselves.
HEAR: The outstanding ‘Love Fades’ on YouTube
SEE: facebook.com/theburmaofficial for their latest dates and details on an eagerly-awaited 2017 release

PAULA COX
If you’re a long-term fan of Ms Cox, since back in her days as frontwoman of The Bush, The Tree And Me, then you’re in very fine company, since the likes of Graham Coxon and Jarvis Cocker are also avowed admirers. If you’re only just getting to the party, though, you’re in perfect time, as the Wexford vocalist is now heading full steam towards her first solo album. Indeed, whispers have suggested that the debut full-length effort could arrive as early as February, which is sure to be a treat for anyone who likes their music with a touch of theatricality. Creatively daring and a bonafide vocal chameleon – really, there’s little her voice can’t do – expect something uncompromising and uncommon from a truly singular artist.
HEAR: A take on festive classic ‘Fairytale Of New York’ on YouTube
SEE: The video for her first solo single, ‘Let’s Play A Game’, also on YouTube

DAVIS
Keeping things firmly within the family, cousins Gavin and Keith Davis are the men behind the fledgling two-hander, which has only existed in its current guise for a matter of months. Combining their respective experiences of acoustic performance and punk and hardcore bands – as well as a shared respect for the likes of Ben Howard and Bon Iver – they’ve settled upon a warm and well-realised brand of folk-rock as their calling card. The pair are further towards the toe-tapping end of the scale than the furrowed-brow melancholy approach, as was well demonstrated on their Simple Words, Complex World EP shared in the first week of this year – a hugely confident beginning to a year that promises big things.
HEAR: The Simple Words, Complex World EP at davismus.bandcamp.com
SEE: Them play Whelan’s (Upstairs) on January 19