Five long years have elapsed since electro-rockers Codes released Trees Dream In Algebra. But if our sneak preview of new album ALLTARS is any clue the wait has been worthwhile.

The Choice-nominated troupe garnered plaudits for their debut and, as well as their own sold-out shows , warmed up audiences for Airborne Toxic Event, Keane and other high-profile sorts. Then they decamped to London and all went quiet.

During the intervening half-decade they have toiled tirelessly. The new album is produced by frontman Daragh Anderson, mixed by Clint Murphy of Manics fame and mastered by Ryan Smith (Talking Heads, Battles).

‘Astrea’ is available to pre-order on iTunes from April 20. You can catch them in Whelan’s, Dublin, May 30 where they’ll be road-testing new material!...

Another forthcoming opus of note is the debut from former Vesta Varro frontman Damien Drea. It’s called Bravest Of All and appears May 9.

dREA, as he is now known, worked with some very impressive types including Giuliano Baglioni, the Daniel Lanois collaborator who helmed the production desk, and Kieran Lynch of Elvis Costello renown (taking care of mixing duties). The excellent first single ‘Animal’ is on iTunes now. Check hotpress.com for tour dates….

The wonderful Young Folk bring their spellbinding show to Whelan’s, Dublin on April 17. The last twelves months have been a fertile period for the act, who wowed at Electric Picnic and Cambridge Folk Festival, supported Midlake, had their music featured on an ad campaign for the Irish National Transport Authority and signed an international publishing deal with ARC Music UK. More recently they went down a treat at Midem and SXSW.

The upcoming show is not to be missed as afterwards they head to the Continent and the UK for a batch of dates. They will release their second long-player later this year – whoop!

Friends Of Emmet have just put out their new album State Of Mind (see Critical Mass for Colm O’Hare’s verdict!). It was preceded by excellent single ‘Hero’. Impressively, if bizarrely, the band have had their music used in Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Jersey Shore. Will keep you posted on band happenings….

Seven Quarters is the moniker of an exciting new night kicking off in Whelan’s, Dublin April 25. The inaugural date features performances from Katie Kim and Jennifer Evans. For a cheap-as-chips admission price of 10 the first 150 punters get a 7 inch vinyl with previously unreleased tracks by each artist! The night is the brainchild of Barry Lennon (Richter Collective, Community Of Independents and Hands Up Who Wants To Die).

In terms of artist news, Katie’s third album should be with us later in the year via the very fine Flaming June label and Jennifer has just put the finishing touches to her debut, recorded with local legend Stephen Shannon.