Villagers feat. Lisa Hannigan, ‘The Little Drummer Boy’

Indie rock icons Villagers have joined forces with fellow Irish musician Lisa Hannigan for a collaborative Christmas tune, and have produced a take on ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ that captures Villagers’ distinctive style and sound. Their voices, stripped back and vulnerable, give new light to the well-known song while still capturing its festive, nostalgic magic.

"The Little Drummer Boy" with @LisaHannigan is out now. https://t.co/0NE7dMzHk7

Since I was a little boy this song by Katherine Kennicott Davis has captured my imagination more than any other Christmas carol. Such a dream to perform it alongside the incomparable voice of Lisa. pic.twitter.com/wWi592ufuA

— Villagers (@wearevillagers) November 27, 2023

Aoife Nessa Frances and Hollow Hand, ‘Shipbuilding’

A dreampop-inflected rework of Elvis Costello penned Robert Wyatt track, ‘Shipbuilding,’ Dublin-based singer-songwriter’s Aoife Nessa Frances' latest single is a collaboration with Brighton psych-folk musician Hollow Hand. Over an enveloping wash of fuzzy synth, gossamer-thin vocals, and dreamy, effect-laden guitar, it’s a gorgeously atmospheric new take on Wyatt’s melancholic 1982 anti-war song. “It was important to us that we felt free when it came to making this music,” Aoife says of the new track. “I think we were able to explore new musical territories, something more abstract than both of our projects, drawing inspiration from bands like MBV & Suicide."

Robert Grace, ‘Nice Guys Finish Last’

Fresh off of a brand new signing with Arista Records, Co. Kilkenny’s Robert Grace has put out a radio-ready brand new tune that’s as catchy as it is refreshing. An up-tempo, synth-driven anthem, Grace’s vocals are pitch-perfect as he sings about relationship woes. He’s been teasing some big news for early next year, and after this release we’ll be keeping a close eye on what Grace has up his sleeve.

Lucy Blue, ‘Say It And Mean It’

New music from 19-year-old Dubliner Lucy Blue is just what we needed this chilly December: she's put out a brand new EP this week, called Unsent Letters. On focus track 'Say It And Mean It', soft production gels sweetly with a sweeping sound, as she sings in her reserved yet powerful voice about wanting another person to be sincere. It builds to a gorgeous final chorus that perfectly emulates the themes of longing within the lyrics.

 

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Dreamer, ‘Mother’

With marching instrumentation combined with Eimear O'Sullivan's soaring vocals and unflinchingly honest lyrics, 'Mother' provides a promising glimpse into Dreamer's ability to create massive-sounding indie anthems.

A reflective and emotively crafted debut single with sweet and skilled guitars, thumping drums, tasteful basslines and potent vocals, 'Mother' is a passionate representation of universal love - touching on themes such as creation, societal structures, loss, rediscovery and most importantly, love.

Winter Aid, 'Inner Sunset'

Fresh from sharing the 10th anniversary edition of his debut EP, The Wisp Sings, Winter Aid, aka Irish songwriter Shane Culloty is back with the title track from his forthcoming EP Inner Sunset.  A romantic lo-fi affair, the stripped-back track features delicate reverbed guitar accompanying Culloty's intimate lyricism and breathy vocals.

"'Inner Sunset' was the first song I recorded after moving to San Francisco: I left all the windows open in our little apartment, and recorded the guitar and vocals in one track,” said Culloty on his new single.

“Inner Sunset is a neighborhood in San Francisco, and though it’s not where we lived, every time I watched the sun go down the name came to mind. A lot of places in the city have names that can seem quite poetic when you hear them first, evoking an imaginary setting before you eventually attach them to a concrete place of street signs and bus lines."

Scattered Ashes, ‘Take Another Piece’

Scattered Ashes have released their third single of this year. 'Take Another Piece' is an ode written in support of a friend struggling with the pressures of life in the city and the demands of the rat race: "Learn to satisfy, learn to just get by, compromise and negotiate, find a partner to reciprocate." The song takes on the form of a heavy ballad which expands and rises to an anthemic crescendo, a musical high point for the band thus far.

Brendan Melia, ‘The Bitter, Sweet and Warm’

Brendan Melia has released this heartwarming festive tune that is set to spread love and light to all this season. “Christmas is such an emotive time for people and in the spirit of celebrations, harsh realities can be forgotten but It’s still vital that the Homelessness crisis is not forgotten, or the families and single people experiencing it.”

Brendan hopes to raise awareness not just among the public but among the people with the power to effect change saying, “I want to bring the homeless crisis right into people's homes this Christmas where it can't be ignored.”

The High Kings, ‘Where I Belong at Christmas’

‘Tis the season and The High Kings are ringing it in with this new track. Darren Holden, the song's writer, shared: “This song is inspired by the huge amount of our families and friends who’ve made the long trip to a new life abroad. With the anticipation of what’s to come, goodbyes are said, hearts are broken and spirits ache. But through it all the dream is to make it home each year for Christmas, to celebrate with family and friends and see loved ones again. “Where I Belong at Christmas” is a song that calls through that sadness to all Irish, to bond with their loved ones, stand proud and know that back home is always where you will belong”.

Conchúr White, ‘Righteous (Why Did I Feel Like That?)’

Conchúr White is back with another solid offering, ‘Righteous (Why Did I Feel Like That?)’. “Lyrically, ‘Righteous’ references an infamous event from 2000. Specifically, it looks at fundamentalism and finding justification for cruel intent. I'm interested in the duality of good and evil, and if we truly believe that what we are doing is righteous then is it so? Religion is obviously the reference for this track but such conviction and blind faith aren't always reserved solely for a God. It can be found everywhere and when we place more value in our beliefs than on life, it becomes frightening.”

Kevin Herm Connolly, ‘As Long As It’s With You’

With the yuletide festivities well and truly upon us, singer-songwriter Kevin Herm Connolly’s latest track ‘As Long As It’s With You’ is a delightfully unconventional take on Christmas. With introspective yet playful indie-folk sonics that echo the likes of Tom Waits, Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart, Connolly’s take on Christmas is suitably quirky and comedic, as he lyrically reflects on the many farcical familial woes of the festive season. “A lot of people have suggested I try writing a Christmas song over the years,” Connolly explains. "The idea was to write something with a timeless, kind of classic feel. Although, of course, I couldn’t help but mess with it a bit and take it somewhere closer to my lane...”

Waterdogs, ‘Ash’

On the heels of singles ‘Stone Driver’ and ‘Victim (By Choice),’ Limerick-Cork alt rock outfit Waterdogs have released their hotly anticipated debut EP Midnight Loser. Oscillating between intensely ‘90s-inflected grunge and guitar-driven blues, to melodic indie tunes, Waterdogs’ sound is anchored by fiery lyricism and heavy riffage. Lead single ‘Ash’ is a moodily penned, resonant soundscape of muddy bass, acoustic guitar and guitar distortion, echoing the angsty sonics of bands like Alice in Chains and Nirvana. Of the new EP, the band said: “The songs are varied stylistically and that's with intention. We wanted to produce something that sounded like us, in all the ways that means. Another important thing for us was to use songs we felt people could connect and relate to. That's really at the heart of what we're trying to do - to use our music to be open, and vulnerable.”

Bitch Falcon, ‘Test Trip (Coolgirl Remix)’

Having disbanded two years ago, Irish post-punk trio Bitch Falcon have released a remixed and reimagined edition of their debut Staring At Clocks, in commemoration of the lauded release’s third anniversary. ‘Test Trip (Coolgirl Remix),’ sees the cut receive an atmospheric rework, complete with fuzzy, warbling synth pads, echoey vocal samples and lush, chorusy guitar. "We had gotten a few remixes off our favourite artists at the time Dan Fox (Gilla Band), Elaine Howley (The Altered Hours) and Rian trench (Solar Bears)," said Bitch Falcon frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick. “On the 3rd anniversary of the release we decided why keep these excellent remixes lying in hard drives and release them into the wild. It's exciting to release these tracks now that we've all created a bit of a name for ourselves..."

Saibh Skelly, ‘Lover’

On the heels of her debut EP Saibh X Five and pop-infused single ‘Sly,’ 18-year-old singer-songwriter, and Grafton Street Busker, Saibh Skelly turns her hand to EDM with new single ‘Lover.’ Having steadily grown a devoted fanbase of listeners through TikTok and social media, Skelly has firmly established herself as one to watch, drawing from modern pop and the more melancholic likes of Conan Grey and Noah Kahan. A frenetic dance cut of the floor filling variety, ‘Lover’ is an atmospheric soundscape of dance beats, slick synths, and fever pitch dynamics, as Skelly ruminates on relationships and love unrequited, with her distinctively powerful vocal delivery.

Revue, ‘Downhill’

A sweeping new release from emerging indie folk band Revue, ‘Downhill’ paints a vivid picture of the North Coast of Ireland as they reflect on the experience and repercussions of associating a location with a life-altering event. It’s off of their brand new debut album Why Can’t You Stay which was released this week, as they explore their signature unique blend of genres including folk, jazz, indie pop and alt-rock.

Chasing Abbey, ‘Learning To Dance (Lanigan’s Ball)

After months of teasing, Tullamore dance outfit Chasing Abbey have finally released the much anticipated ‘Learning To Dance (Lanigan’s Ball). The trio have been sharing snippets of themselves, as well as fans, dancing to the song via their social media platforms as of late, with many listeners persistently begging the band to drop the number across the past few weeks.

The song, much like their popular ‘Oh My Johnny’, is a continuation of Chasing Abbey’s ‘Trad House’ – reimaginations of classic Irish ballads over modern, dance-infused beats. Their latest release is taken from the tune ‘Lanigan’s Ball’, a popular folk song which dates back to the 19^th century.

Hotgirl, ‘My Big Sister’

Drogheda and Dublin outfit Hotgirl continue their steady rise in the Irish music scene this week with the release of their debut EP Sick Sad World.

Taken from the project, ‘My Big Sister’, is a fast-paced, grungey number with a nasty bassline and rapturous phased and distorted guitars, as lead singer Ashley Aberdeen’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics depict an older sibling’s role as a (seemingly) negative role model.

“Stream it, share it, blast it, tell us what ye think or don’t,” said the band on social media. “We’re happy its out there in the world and we’re patting ourselves on the back.”

Cascando, ‘Jimmy Boy’

Limerick’s root collective Cascando put out the first track off of their upcoming EP In Absence of Trees, and it is quick to grab your attention and draw you into its bluesy soul. Cascando “at their bounciest”, ‘Jimmy Boy’ features satisfying harmonies while never shying away from its darker subject: documenting the moments leading up to the trial and sentencing of the song’s subject.

Molly O’Mahony, ‘Golden Thing’

West Cork singer Molly O’Mahony released a new EP today, a followup to her 2022 album The House Of David. Having released the first song ‘Quietly’ off of the EP last week, ‘Golden Thing’ is a new track recorded live at RTE studios, a gorgeous acoustic song complete with lovely fingerpicking and her unique, richly deep voice. “Hold on to the pieces, baby,” she croons, “time moves on.”

Hánt, ‘I Stand Beside The Light’

27-year-old Irish indie-folk artist and multi-instrumentalist, Hánt is set to captivate audiences with the release of their highly anticipated debut single, ‘I Stand Beside The Light.’ Inspired by impressionist painters and armed with a unique musical style, this track showcases Hánt's exceptional songwriting skills and their ability to create a deeply emotional connection with listeners. The song's introspective lyrics, accompanied by Hánt's soulful vocals and skilful instrumentation, transport the audience on a journey through heartfelt emotions and introspection.

 

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Pauric O’Meara, ‘Adore’

One of the most exciting young voices to emerge from the Irish music front this year, Pauric O’Meara shares his most recent single ‘Adore,’ a track which showcases the singer-songwriter’s tender side. The track opens with a veil of lush guitar strums and delicate strings, before bursting into a cinematic, melancholic chorus, as O’Meara’s vocals reach a euphoric crescendo.

‘Adore’ is the first of three singles set for release over the coming months, as O’Meara preps for his just-announced Irish headline shows next year, including one at Dublin’s Academy. Of his new release, the singer shares, “It is about how it feels to be loved conditionally, and the fight that we put up to achieve what we deserve.

“The layers of strings bring this tension to life, and has made this personal song of mine from a story, to a visual and emotional exploration of how it feels to be in such a position.”

milk., 'It’s The Internet’s World We’re Just Living In It’

Repping Ireland as genre-defying musical innovators, milk. finally unveil their latest project 3, The EP today, accompanied by the electrifying lead single, 'It’s The Internet’s World We’re Just Living In It.’ The release of their much-anticipated new EP arrives as the band sets out on a massive US tour, which culminates with a hometown headline show on February 3 in The Academy, Dublin.

Lead album single 'It’s The Internet’s World We’re Just Living In It,' provides a sonic exploration of the band's entanglement with the rapidly evolving digital age. Fronted by Irish actor Mark McKenna, milk.’s newest release promises to be a kaleidoscopic journey through the vast musical landscape of a band that fearlessly navigates modern life through eclectic, always-shifting soundscapes.

The Butterfly Graveyard, ‘St Francis (Had a Wife Of Snow)’

Irish indie artist The Butterfly Graveyard tells a time old story in a contemporary way with his mesmeric seasonal track, ‘St Francis (Had a Wife of Snow),’ out today. Embedded with hope and romance, the singer brings his delicate and lush sonics to an ancient narrative with a fragile, rare sound reminiscent of gems like The Blue Nile and Jeff Buckley.

It’s a dazzling, unique holiday tune, with sparkling indie production, that offers a warm blanket and a hopeful story to curl into. “The original inspiration for this song came from a mediaeval Italian folktale, based on the legend of St. Francis of Assisi,” the Irish singer-songwriter explains. “This winter's tale tells us that love will always find a way.”

PiNKSLiPS, ‘Young Blood’

The best records are made because they simply have to be made, like a life depends upon it – that’s the case with rising Belfast band piNKSLiPS’ anthemic debut single ‘Young Blood.’ While stalling the realisation of their band until post-Covid, the band has worked earnestly to hone their unique, multi-layered sound, taking songs that frontman Gerry Norman had written on acoustic guitar and blowing them up into stadium sized anthems.

‘Young Blood’ kicks off with a powerful snare thump and a sizzling guitar/bass slide, while shimmering cymbals shine around infectious rhythm guitars. A pulled-back verse allows for Norman’s emotive vocals to take the forefront, on a track that serves as a love letter to the band that helped resurrect him. Purposeful instrumentals and a sense of personal importance behind every line and note make up a bold debut from a brand new Irish band that’s only getting started.

Hula, ‘Breathe (Won’t You Be)’

Limerick-based artist Hula – the moniker for Aaron Houlihan – shares the second single from his forthcoming EP, ‘Breathe (Won’t You Be)’ today. The follow-up to his debut single ‘A Brush You Left In My Room’ – which prompted the artist to earn over a thousand streams in one month on Spotify alone – Hula’s new tune is a captivating blend of clashing textures and soul-touching emotion.

A distorted, fuzzy intro kicks off mightily into the tune, which succumbs to heavier, grungy guitars and bold drums. The verses tread back into softer, indie-rock territory, allowing for Hula’s contemplative lyrics to mark the listener before letting loose on a big, anthemic chorus. “The lyrics came from experiences with close friends which led to a period of time of self-discovery and epiphanies,” Hula explains. “A theme as old as time, but one everyone also experiences.”

T.A. Narrative, ‘Love’s Hold’

It’s hard to believe there’s just two names behind the intricate, bursting sound of Limerick city duo T.A. Narrative, and yet it’s true. They’re Tara and Anna, and their newest single ‘Love’s Hold’ is a formidable, adrenaline rush pulled from their acclaimed 2023 debut EP Retro Futurism.

Fresh off the back of a tour with King Kong Company, the Irish power duo infuse post-punk, electronic, and sparkly-pop music into their newest track, along with gritty, electric guitar notes and shimmering synths. Already a firmly-placed must-see act, ‘Love’s Hold’ further establishes the rising act as one to watch and witness.

Of the new single, vocalist Tara shares, “Simply put, it's about navigating grief. The weight of the loss I was experiencing was like nothing I'd felt before…this track became a tangible way for me to work through the pain. Grief doesn't disappear nor would I want it to. It was more about understanding it in myself and growing around it."

SWELTR, ‘Known As’

Hailing from north Dublin, DIY grunge-rock duo SWELTR burst onto the scene in October of last year with their debut single ‘What’s It Gonna Be?’ They return excitedly with their fourth single ‘Known As,’ a track made up of dark, moody guitar and bold kick and snare drums, setting the scene for retrospective, brooding lyrics.

Coming together to reshape the Irish punk genre by reintroducing grunge into the sonic landscape, Tony Keyes and Noel Dempsey demand ears with their unique, alluring sound. ‘Known As’ takes its hooked listener on a loud, chest-thumping journey, diving into twisted and relatable feelings which touch on mental turmoil and the relationship with oneself. A final scream leads the song into its outro, where comfort can be found in the forming chaos that SWELTR is proud to incite.

Alex Gough, ‘College Graduate’

Alex Gough has released this stripped-back anthem that delves into what life as a ‘College Graduate’. The lyrics are raw and pair perfectly with the simple acoustic guitar track. The song moves into what can only be described as that Frank Ocean blond sound. The Waterford native is a breath of fresh air. With millions of streams for his 2019 EP, ‘80%’, and a high profile sync on the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s ‘Normal People’, the only way is up for Gough.

 

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New Airs and Wallis Bird, ‘Go’

Wallis Bird has collaborated with New Airs on a new version of her track ‘Go’ from her 2022 album, Hands. New Airs are known for putting their own stamp on the classics and it’s no secret that anything they touch turns to gold. Bird’s already enchanting track is transformed into an ethereal listening experience that brings the listener on a journey of self-discovery.

 

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Laura Alden, ‘Wisconsin Winter’

Vulnerable and ethereal, Laura Alden has you hooked on every word with ‘Wisconsin Winter’. Dancing on the line of indie-folk and pop, this track is reminiscent of Birdy and Gracie Abrams. She took to Instagram to describe writing the track, “I had the most fun writing it in my hometown in my mom's apartment & my new (very old) piano in Berlin and then producing the whole thing at home the way I love it most.”

 

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Declan Sinnot and Evelyn Kallansee, 'Make for Joy'

Declan Sinnott, veteran guitar player of the Irish music scene who worked alongside the likes of the Horslips, Christy Moore and Moving Hearts while also collaborating with the inimitable Mary Black for over 12 years, released a new single 'Make For Joy' along with collaborator Evelyn Kallansee. 'May for Joy' is the sophomore offering to their gentle and sentimental debut track 'Who Has Coloured You?' released earlier this year. 'Make for Joy', is a beautiful Autumnal/Wintry song, with a positive and uplifting energy, perfectly contrasting the time of year. 'Make for Joy' brings light to the darker days, at the turn of the year, an essential track that we all need as we head for the winter solstice.

Sadhbh Keane, 'Life At Christmas'

Sadhbh Keane is a sixteen-year-old singer-songwriter from Dublin releasing folk songs of remarkable breadth and maturity and ‘Life at Christmas’ is no exception. ‘Life at Christmas’ was born last Christmas when Keane was only fifteen years old. Keane said of the track: “I wrote this last December after realising the lack of humanity shown towards homelessness, especially during winter and Christmas time. It's a very special song to me.” A beautiful and compassionate track dealing with the never-ending Dublin housing crisis, and the people whose lives have been torn up in the wake of it. Featuring impassioned vocals and compelling lyrics, this guitar track is simple yet strong with a belter of a chorus ‘How many buckets do we have to fill so this stops happening?’.

Bren Berry, ‘Winter Song’

Revelino's guitarist and backing vocalist Bren Berry has done something he hadn't done in a very long time; dusting off his Rickenbacker and channelling his reflections into thoughtful, intimate songs. Initially writing for personal use only, Berry gradually became more and more drawn into these small but expanding tunes, and now, fans are able to hear the fruits of Berry's labour in his gorgeous new track; 'Winter Song. ‘Winter Song’ is a majestic, swelling chime-fest. You can practically hear the icicles crash against the strings, as the warmth and tenderness in Bren's voice cuts through the frosty architecture of the guitars.Berry’s new track makes for the perfect comforting Christmas tune without overly saccharine tones or clichés.

 

ESSIRAY, feat Rory Sweeney, ‘Bullshit’

A new drum bass pop track, ESSIRAY’s latest release ‘Bullshit’ is a collaboration with Dublin based music producer Rory Sweeney. Bullshit is a fun dance number that will have you on your feet this weekend with its infectious beat. Off the back of her Forbidden Fruit set this summer ESSIRAY’s ‘Bullshit’ is an anthem for all those who have been played in the game of love with plain diarist style lyrics and sleek harmonies. ESSIRAY played her first headliner in Workman’s Club this year having performed previously in their January 2023 ‘Next Big Thing Festival’. If you want to hear the freshest newest sound in Irish indie pop right now, then look no further than ESSIRAY’s ‘Bullshit’.

 

Zapho, ‘Listen To Me Child’

The 5th track off Zapho’s upcoming album, ‘Listen to Me Child’, is a bluesy indie guitar affair with luminous harmonies cutting over the track. The genesis of the track sowed its seeds almost 10 years ago, marking a more thoughtful offering from the queer Irish artist. ‘Listen to Me Child’ is a masterfully put together track that builds into a powerful crescendo towards the end, evocative of the music of Alt-J. Zapho has described the new track in her own words as “a more emotional singer songwriter tune”. The new song is a departure from Zapho’s usual feisty pop tunes and serves to demonstrate the impressive breadth of Zapho’s work, acting as an exciting indicator of what to expect on her upcoming debut album.

The High Llamas, ‘Hey Panda’

‘Hey Panda’ is the latest playful offering from avant-pop band The High Llamas. The new track is an r&b inspired surreal sounding track, featuring cow bells and all. The mix of beat, psychedelic vocals and bizarre lyrics will transport listeners to the weird and wonderful realms of The High Llamas. Known for their Beach Boys-esque sound, the High Llamas draw a good deal of influence from Bossa Nova and evoke the same sense of easy listening. Hey Panda is the latest track off of The High Llamas upcoming news album, slated for a March release that the group say will take them in a “new direction”.

Check out our New Irish Songs playlist on Spotify below!