Rory Sweeney, EMBY, Keanu The Pilot, ‘Pull Up’

Perpetually involved with most things interesting happening in the capital, Dublin producer Rory Sweeney announces what he’s described as a “first of it’s kind Irish mixtape”, with the project’s lead single 'Pull Up', a heavy, in-your-face trap tune which sees the AVA Festival Producer Of The Year set the collaborative tone of the record by teaming up with EMBY and Keanu The Pilot.

“Irish Hash Mafia mixtape is a love letter to the DIY sound and ethos of 90s Southern Hip Hop, as well as a time capsule of the left field sounds being explored by the Irish underground,” says Sweeney. “Myself and a lot of the artists here are starting to get caught up in the cogs of the music industry and it’s important to put out this mixtape as an archive of the free spirited sounds we’ve been exploring together over the past 2-3 years.”

 

Cormac Looby, ‘Angel, Baby’

Tipperary man Cormac Looby showcases his envious knack for synthesise diaristic emotions into heart-rending Euphonia with his latest release 'Angel, Baby'. The track traverses themes of grief and anxiety, and is said to be inspired a the songwriter birth, during which a relative of his was battling cancer.

"She affectionately referred to me as her ‘baby angel,’ sent to save her,” says Looby.  “The track grapples with the painful realization of my inability to alleviate her suffering. This experience causes me to reflect on my own internal struggles with mental health issues and the profound sense of helplessness that accompanies them.”

Susan O’Neill, ‘Bright Eyes’

Clare songsmith extraordinaire Susan O’Neill marks the announcement of a headline Irish tour with another strong showcase of her adroit and sonorous music making ability with the assertively hopeful ‘Bright Eyes’.

“This song is about how eye contact can help change the feeling of someone’s sense of belonging and purpose,” says O’Neill. “You don’t know when connecting with someone purely and honestly can be such a beautiful and crucial thing. The song talks about movement from a tough time into an understanding that things can change with a new perspective. It talks of the day to day happenings of someone that finds solace from a harsh reality in the eyes of others”

 

SPRINTS, ‘Help Me, I’m Spiralling’

Rip-roaring Dublin punks SPRINTS have treated fans to not one but two fuzzed-up doses of their signature ennui-fuelled anger.  ‘Drones’ is a new version of a song from the band’s 2022 A Modern Job EP, while ‘Help Me, I’m Spiralling’ was hitherto unreleased. Both were recorded during the sessions for SPRINTS’ debut album Letter To Self and are being released under the banner of the Black Box Sessions.

The fact that the latter didn’t make it on the final LP is perhaps a testament to the album’s unmistakable quality. The record received a 9/10 on the Hot Press Critical Mass-o-meter, with our man Stuart Clark saying:  “Letter To Self ranks alongside The Undertones, U2's Boy and Sinéad O'Connor's The Lion And The Cobra as one of the all-time great Irish debuts.”

 

Sick Love, 'Chill For The Summer'

Sick Love's grungy pop single ‘Chill For The Summer’ is set to slot nicely into their debut LP Champagne. Led by frontwoman Rebecca Geary with bandmates Conor McLoughlin, Sean O’Connor and Cormac O’Neill, Sick Love’s latest tune is embued with  passionate guitar riffs and thought provoking lyrics.

When talking about the single, Sick Love said, “‘Chill For The Summer’ was written as a response to rising violence and sexual assault against women…The line “She wouldn’t even give me her number” is the excuse of the attacker that it’s justified to target women just because they say no to you. We’re always told to “Just say no” when it’s not that simple, and can end up with someone being assaulted or even losing their life. Chill For The Summer is about women simply trying to exist without living in fear.”

The Butterfly Graveyard, 'Dig A Little Deeper'

The Butterfly Graveyard’s new single ‘Dig A Little Deeper’ opens with an unconventional yey dynamic melody that pair nicely with the singer's soothing vocals, creating the effect that the artist is conversing with the listener, promising that summer will soon come.

When speaking about the track, the band said, “this song was written in winter in the dark short days looking forward to lazy days, blue skies and sunshine. It was written for anyone struggling with the ups and downs of life and people who were having a hard time keeping afloat. It's a simple evocation to hang in there because summertime is coming soon and everything is starting to bloom.”

Frowning Hours, 'Someone Who Won't'

Frowning Hours, also known as Ger Kelly, has started his new project with ‘Someone Who Won’t’, from his upcoming EP A Single Window - the title taking inspiration from an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote. The indie folk track opens with gentle guitar chords, before Kelly pops in with angelic and intriguing lyrics.

When talking about the track, Kelly says, “For every someone who lets you down there’s someone who won’t” to suggest that while we can have a “saviour”, we can also save ourselves. It’s a call to show up for yourself first in order to be in a position to show up for others in your life.”

DUG, 'Big Sundown'

DUG, composed of Lorkin O’Reilly and Johnny Pickett have once again combined old time American country music with Irish folk to create an exciting sonic experience that reflects both band members heritage on ‘Big Sundown’, as the Dublin-based band combine American instruments with traditional folk melodies.

O’Reilly’s parents and their immigration journey was the inspiration for the single. As DUG puts it, “'Big Sundown' in particular depicts the Irish experience of immigrating to Australia in the 1980s." This is the time when O’Reilly’s parents "met and partied on Bondi beach [which led] to his birth”.

Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets, 'Not Waiting On Anything'

Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets have released  he third single from their upcoming EP Caught Up In Delusion ‘Not Waiting On Anything’ is a captivating indie folk track which features a hint of country with use of fiddles mixed in with gentle guitars, bass, drum and saxophone riffs.

When talking about the track, the band said, “I suppose the song is about being forlorn and lost. That recurring theme of loss, that is consistently within our songs, is intertwined with an element of regret from your past. It’s more of a stripped back ballad compared to our other tracks. That softer side of us has always been there, and we wanted to lean into that a little bit.”

Blue Whale, 'Orunge'

Experimental outfit Blue Whale border into punk territory on their latest headbang-inducing track.  When talking about the direction the band is moving in, O’Halloran says, “A lot of our early stuff would jump all over the place. Now we have the confidence to have a central theme to a song, build around that and not feel like it has to go on a big journey. I think that’s why it sounds more cohesive.”

Emma Noodles, 'Veins'

Emma Noodles opens her latest single by showing off her ethereal voice and pairing it with gentle guitar chords. ‘Veins’ quickly picks up the pace with her voice taking on an electronic echo and a fun rock-like melody.

When talking about the track, Noodles says, “the song describes a time in my life when I was falling in love for the first time, and it all felt so surreal and scary, because I thought it was too good to be true and wouldn’t last forever. At the time I was committed to something that took me away from home, when all I wanted was to get back and continue what I had started, before it disappeared from my life.”

Annie-Dog, ‘violence’66’

Innovative and propulsive, Annie-Dog’s newest single ‘violence’66’ sees the artist continuing to push the envelope of jittery pop music. On the track, the Dublin artist embraces a tasteful palette that works for her: synths that flicker with technicolour saturation, dizzy drum programming and the fragile wisps of her the upper range of her voice.

With its idiosyncratic, gleaming tenderness, ‘violence ‘66’ pushes the boundaries of Annie-Dog’s ambition and sounds like a friend whispering secrets in your ear on the dancefloor of a club.

Gary O'Neill, ‘Heather’

Irish singer-songwriter Gary O’Neill is ready to captivate audiences yet again with his latest offering ‘Heather,’ the focus track off of his new EP Fragments, Vol. 1. TK. The Kilkenny songwriter is no doubt easy on the ears, with this serene acoustic number putting his deeply resonating vocal chords front and centre.

O’Neill’s project comes after the resounding success of his debut EP To Those I’ve Missed, which served to solidify the budding star’s standing as a talent to watch for 2024. The new record will be followed up by Fragments, Vol. 2 later this summer, alongside an extensive Irish tour slated for September 2024.

Beano, 'Ellenfield Park Flow

Up and coming Dublin rapper, Beano, has released his debut album Unsolicited Beef.  'Ellenfield Park Flow' is a standout, not least  for its relaxed R&B-evoking opening chords that effortlessly blend with his narrative-building lyrics.

When talking about the single, Beano says, “the single is a time capsule of milestones and memories from my childhood right through to today. The creative process for 'Ellenfield Park Flow' was a cathartic one for me - as I got to revisit a number of locations and experiences that are very close to me in a local and artistic setting.”

Megan O'Neill, 'Love Like This'

Megan O’Neill's  latest heartfelt ballad opens with a peaceful guitar riff, before delving into O’Neill storytelling lyricism, which details a raw and passionate love story and the importance of emotional connection.

When talking about the track O’Neill says “I remember uploading this back in early March, before I became a new mother, thinking I’d have time to share posts and promote a new song! How naïve! But actually, this feels like the perfect time for the song to come out because even though I wrote this before I was pregnant, now with Faye here, I really have never felt a love like this!”

Lemoncello, ‘Dopamine’

With a robust dose of off-kilter indie pop, the Kildare folk duo Lemoncello have this week released their debut self-titled album. ‘Dopamine’ sees the duo - Laura Quirke and Claire Kinsella - foraging a deluge of deep-fried, sculpted nonsense for a sense of self.

Windswept harmonies fade in and out of focus, belaying the unsettling lyricism. Intense, growling acoustics blend with eerie synths and created sounds, giving weight to the posed question: "If I delete my face will my body disappear?.”

The standout single is accompanied by a vibrant music video directed by Sophie O’Donovan, which tackles these same themes through the technologically dystopian lens of doom-scrolling.

Adrian Crowley, ‘The White Birds’

Award-winning songwriter, singer and composer Adrian Crowley has released his brand new single, ‘The White Birds’, as a part of Dimple Discs’ Bring Your Own Hamer Series, which sees modern musicians interpret the works of Irish writers from the 19th century. 

‘The White Birds’ is based on W.B. Yeats 1891 poem of the same name, written after he accompanied Maud Gonne to Howth. Expertly encapsulating the poem’s essence, Crowley has crafted a song of melancholy reflection on love, loss and longing that resides in the hearts and minds of listeners long after the music fades.

A Dublin-based artist known for his dark poetic sensibility and arrestingly resonant voice, Crowley has made a name for himself as a master storyteller through his deeply-affecting body of work. 

Liv Monaghan, ‘Alltar’

Irish-born Paris-based vocalist and songwriter Liv Monaghan has released her sophomore album First Light, an intimate expression of the singer’s inner world that blends power with elegance and mystery with poetry. The record’s alluring closing track ‘Alltar’ sees Monaghan reconnect with her roots as she integrates distinctly Irish nuances into her flawless vocals. 

A prominent figure on the Parisian jazz music scene, Monaghan’s incredible vocal prowess has extended across her homeland of Ireland, Montreal, London, New York, San Francisco and the Netherlands, performing at prominent international festivals such as the Barcelona Jazz Festival. Rootstock and the Jazzy Colors Festival.

Winter Aid, ‘Secret Sister’

San Francisco-based Irish songwriter Winter Aid, a.k.a. Shane Culloty, has released the final advanced release from his upcoming sophomore album Pull The Sky Inside, out May 17. Entitled ‘Secret Sister’, the new track expertly balances electronic synths with new percussive elements to create a sound that pushes the boundaries of modern songwriting. 

“'Secret Sister' came together like magic, and was 95% finished for years,” explained Culloty. “I just couldn’t quite nail the energy in the mix, but Larry Crane got it immediately. The lyrics are strange to me - at first I thought it was about one thing, but as it came together over a few days, I realised it was about grief, losing family members and imagining the lives they may have lived.”

Gareth Dunolp, ‘Go Down Swinging’

Renowned pop artist Gareth Dunolp has returned with his latest offering ‘Go Down Swinging’, an emboldening new single that serves as another preview into the Belfast singer’s upcoming third album Welcome To The House Of I Don’t Know. 

“I wrote ‘Go Down Swinging’ for my daughter (Joanie),” Dunlop shared. “She’d taken a knock to her confidence, and I wanted to write something to her. I wanted her to have a song that told her exactly how I see her and something that empowers her to always stand her ground and never turn a blind eye to who she is.”

10-year-old Joanie is also the star of Dunolp’s 80’s themed music video.

maXion feat. Aoife Boyle, ‘Scalar’

Irish producer maXion is back with an ethereal new offering entitled ‘Scalar’, which features stunning vocals from fellow indie-pop luminary Aoife Boyle, a.k.a. Reevah. The new single showcases maXion’s ongoing evolution as an artist, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the dreamy trills and intricate melodies of his latest work. 

Drawing from an expansive palette of sound, ‘Scalar’ brings listeners on a sonic journey of vulnerability and introspection, as maXion slowly peels back the many layers of his musical craft.

Hermitage Green, ‘Driftin’

Following the staggering success of their previous release, ‘All You Can Be’, Hermitage Green have released their brand new single ‘Driftin.’ A clear departure from their typical folk-rock sound, the track is just a taster of what is yet to come, with an exciting new album on the horizon for next year. 

“‘Driftin’ is a song about a paradigm shift in perspective when someone experiences a life changing event or moment,” said band member Barry Murphy. “Whether it’s when you lose a loved one, become a parent for the first time or make life changing choices we are all simultaneously completely alone and completely connected drifting through space on a giant rock so best we look after one another.”

Curtisy, ‘Landmine!’

Curtisy is an unstoppable force on the Irish rap scene, made even more inexorable with the release of his debut album, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION, today. ‘Landmine!’ showcases the Tallaght rapper’s nonchalant flow and sublime chops. Populated with deftly-cultivated samples and loose-jointed instrumentation.

With his new album, bolstered by such tracks as ‘Landmine!’, Curtisy continues to solidify himself as one of the leaders of a new wave. 2024 is set to be a breakout year for one of Dublin’s fastest-rising artist. Watch this space!

Miranda Faul, ‘Delicate’

The latest single from Miranda Faul wields uncompromising vulnerability amid a flowering soundscape.

With throbbing basslines, soft crystalline vocals and fluid synths, ‘Delicate’ is an infectious offering of indie pop and glittering R&B. As the song progresses, it transforms with an effervescent backbeat that expands that soundscape even further.
“I wrote it in a blur in January…when I was out for a walk,” Miranda posted on Instagram. “It’s about being in a vulnerable, fragile place without actively healing. There’s a lot of me in it”

 

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KNEECAP, ‘Love Making’

In a new sonic direction for the Belfast rap group, KNEECAP have released a nifty little dance number in the form of ‘Love Making’. With Irish dance music experience break out success in recent years, now is the perfect time for Irish language rappers Mo Chara and Moglaí add their own unique spin to this genre. ‘Lovemaking’ is a lighter pop-y sound to the trio’s usual work and makes for a tantalising teaser for KNEECAP's highly anticipated debut Fine Art.

Big Sleep, ‘All My Friends’

Opening with a funky guitar line, ‘All My Friends’ is an instantly feel-good offering from the Dublin group Big Sleep. An ode to youth culture in Ireland, ‘All My Friends’ perfectly encapsulates the bittersweet predicament young people face between savouring the moment and worrying about the future. A soothing balm on the day to day anxieties, ‘All My Friends’ is the perfect single to lead us into the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Coronas, ‘Speak Up’

At this point The Coronas are practically an Irish institution, and they’re back with ‘Speak Up’, a soulful endeavour from the Indie pop rockers. Leadsinger and frontman Danny O’Reilly’s vocals shine on this emotional and euphoric track. Known for being mainstays on the Irish festival circuit, The Coronas have been playing this number live for some time now, and we are certainly not the only ones delighted to finally get our hands on the studio recording!

Finscéalta, ‘Fall For You’

A gentle strings track ‘Fall For You’, Finscéalta’s latest release is a song for the lovesick. Although described as a ‘happy song, I promise!’ by the artist, ‘Fall For You’ is a stunning indie folk track about longing for what’s gone. ‘Fall For You’ is a glorification of the bittersweet feeling of yearning, but there’s also a charming ember of nostalgia that fuels the single. ‘Fall For You’ is a delicate piece of storytelling from the Cork artist.

The Fynches, ‘Easier’

The brainchild of brothers Ferdia and Oisín Walsh-Peelo, The Fynches create the eclectic, folk-rock and today’s release ‘Easier’ is no exception. Through its infectious melody and candid lyrics, Easier acknowledges the trials of yesteryears while embracing the promise of brighter tomorrows. With a soulful vocal performance by Ferdia, each note carries an undeniable vulnerability, inviting listeners into a world of personal reflection. Recorded in the Wicklow hills, this track exudes a wistful charm that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings. Produced with meticulous care by The Fynches themselves, it serves as testament to their journey.

Nell Mescal, ‘Electric Picnic’

Featuring Mescal’s signature thought provoking songwriting and dulcet vocals, ‘Electric Picnic’ is a searingly personal offering from the indie songstress. The song details the intimacies of a friendship breakup with hard hitting, and sometimes bitter lyrics: “I’m not going to forgive you because you’re crying at a song I wrote you last year”. The track also features the lyric which Mescal derives her debut EP title from: Can I Miss it For a Minute?. While Nell Mescal’s guitar playing and vocals are en pointe as always, the horn playing is what elevates this track completely. ‘Electric Picnic’ truly soars.

Echotal, ‘After Kadira’ Throwing snow remix

A dazzling reimagining of Echotal’s ‘Kadira’, this Ross Tones’ remix will remind listeners of The Bends era Radiohead. 'Kadira' was originally inspired by the traditional Persian whirling dance practised by renowned Iranian dancer Khatoon Fallah, and was accompanied by a stirring music video featuring the dancer herself. This remix, taking inspiration from the track, has been described by Echotal’s David Rooney as “utterly reimagined with an echo at the close of the whirling Khatoon Fallah dance that inspired the track in the first place”.

Listen to our New Irish Songs To Hear This Week playlist on Spotify below!