In Jack Rua’s Twitter bio, he says he’s an “international glam pop sensation.” After watching his performance on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' Y&E Series, I’d offer a different label. With its maximal dance sensibility, Rua’s music falls into the fast-growing genre of hyperpop, best known for stars like Charli XCX and Kim Petras. Though the British isles are full of hyperpop sensations (Scotland has SOPHIE, England has AG Cook and others), Ireland hasn’t yet produced a breakout star — but Jack Rua just might change that.

On the Instagram live, which was supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Rua played several songs off his recent EP, Narcissus. First up was the title track, which built tension with its hypnotic hook and full-bodied bass. Then came ‘Curious’, a queer anthem that Rua dedicated with a wink to “any heterosexuals that are watching.” Late in the stream, Rua played the biggest hit off the EP — ‘Ego’, which has nearly 60,000 streams on spotify. As its house-style build-up kicked in, Rua said “if this were an actual concert, this’d be the part where everyone bounced around.”

Again, I’d beg to differ. If this were an actual concert, every track would be the part where everyone jumps around — that’s how fun Jack Rua’s music is. You can rewatch his clubby, high-energy livestream on the Hot Press Instagram below:

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Upcoming performances on the Y&E Series:

Saturday, 18 July: JESSY ROSE
Formerly a member of Hare Squead, Jessy Rose took a break from the group back in 2017 – now, he's back and better than ever. The 23 year-old Dubliner blends R&B and elements of soul to create a tender and touching sound, while his latest solo offering 'Bloom’ was described as a "moving, radio-ready ballad” by Hot Press.

The Y&E Series, supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is broadcast live at 19:30 every night from the Hot Press Instagram (@hotpressmagazine).