Ailsha, ‘Haunted’

Queen of the Gaeilgoths Ailsha’s chugging  'Haunted' follows in a similar vein to her Eurosong runner-up track ‘Go Tobann’, with the Wicklow native creatively adapting the Irish language for heavy metal, screaming 'díbrim thú'  (translating to ‘I banish you’) during the song's gruelling breakdown.

“’Haunted' is a journey through the emotions of realizing someone you deeply trusted was actually sucking the life out of you,” she says. “It's like waking up in this twisted vampire movie where they've been sucking your energy all along, and they took your empathy to bury in their never-ending cemetery of lies. The song is about breaking free and reclaiming your worth.”

Offica, ‘Defoe’

Offica offers up an international collaboration with German rapper Lolito on this stank face-inducing track named after legendary Premier League striker Jermaine Defoe. With his distinct flow and knack for adroit wordplay, Offica is proving to be (almost) as prolific as the ex-Spurs forward, following last year’s 2 Hokage mixtapes with a couple of singles thus far in 2024 – with ‘Defoe’ dropping just two weeks form his WWE-inspired banger ‘Smackdown’.

The 2 Johnnies ,’Jays I’d Murder A Pint’

Tipperary comedy and podcasting pair The 2 Johnnies have finally released their first full-length musical project, featuring 14 comedic songs detailing everything from fancying Deli workers to navigating hangovers. In Friday Spirit, we’ve picked out ‘Jays I’d Murder a Pint’ as the one to cast your ears to.

“There’s no singing about LA and celebrities - this is about real life,” said Johnny Smacks. “Some songs will make you want to go on a three-day benders, some maybe only a two-day bender. This is an album for real people by real people. So let your window down, stick the arm out like a cool sham and pump out the tunes. Up small town heroes, up riding.”

 

 

Paddy Keyes, ‘Holding My Breath’

Sligo man Paddy Keyes further exhibits his knack for forging catchy alt-pop bangers with ‘Holding My Breath’.  Produced with Daniel de Burca, the tune showcases Keyes’ trademark guitar riffs , jagged vocals and storytelling – detailing the conflicting thoughts which arise from catching a friend cheating.

2024 is proving to be a busy year  for the 23-year-old, having supported indie outfit Post Party on their UK & Ireland tour, with a slot at Donegal surf festival Sea Session also lined up.

Graham Mitchell, 'A Beating Soul'

Hailing from Raheny, Dublin, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Graham Mitchell has released his next single entitled ‘A Beating Soul’. This acoustic-heavy track contains feel good lyrics and a catchy, light melody, ideal for the start of summer.

Over the course of his career, Mitchell has shared the stage with the likes of Damien Dempsey, The 4 of Us, Ham Sandwich and more. The singer-songwriter continues to rise in the Irish music scene after successful shows at Dublin’s Whelan’s and The Workman’s Club.

Jaxson, 'Lost'

Singer-songwriter Jaxson has released his new single ‘Lost’, which combines tear-jerking lyrics with a commanding melody to create a heartfelt ballad. The song explores the feeling of letting go and allowing the universe to be responsible for your future.

When talking about the track, Jaxson says, “I missed my train and that train that I was supposed to be on crashed which caused the whole line to close and I found myself back in the studio for another night. It was on that night that 'Lost' was written. It's like the universe had a different path in mind, guiding me to create this song in the studio instead of being on that train."

Niamh Regan, ‘Waves’

The latest single off of Niamh Regan’s critically lauded sophomore album Come As You Are, ‘Waves’ is a spectacular keys track that’s perfectly paced. Come As You Are was recently awarded an impressive 9/10 by the Hot Press crew, and with heartfelt yet meticulously executed songs like ‘Waves’ (the single where the album’s title acts as chorus) it’s not hard to see why.

A song about the tumultuous journey of going through a break up, ‘Waves’ is about the overwhelming floods of different emotions you go through in the healing process, whether it’s loneliness, grief or frustration. However ‘Waves’ isn’t all sadness, as the song ends in the lovers reuniting as the tune builds into a stunning crescendo featuring a full band and Regan’s honeyed vocals.

Cristina Movileanu, ‘Lavender Moon’

Written in May of last year, ‘Lavender Moon’ is a masterfully plucked Spanish guitar inspired love song by Cristina Movileanu. ‘Lavender Moon’ is designed to be a pick up for listeners, with songwriter and performer Movileanu saying: “It brings a lavender scent to your door and a good feeling of old times. This song is one of my favourites; I’ve been singing it a lot over the year, and I am happy to share it with the world." ‘Lavender Moon’ takes listeners on a sensory journey, blending Cristina's vocal prowess with a lush, melodic arrangement, and features the artist’s use of accordion for the first time- adding another layer of instrumental richness to the track.

Big Sleep, ‘Daisy’

Irish indie funk maestros Big Sleep are back with ‘Daisy’. A woozy and feel good track, ‘Daisy’ is the perfect single for beer garden listening with its upbeat guitar lines, affected vocals and its healthy dose of reverb. Released just before their Forbidden Fruit appearance this Sunday June 2, Big Sleep know exactly what they’re doing. ‘Daisy’ which the band have described as one of their favourite songs they have written so far, will endear listeners with its Declan McKenna and Still Woozy undertones. It’s quite simply the perfect piece of summer vibe creation.

Rían, ‘The Gift Of Freedom’

Hailing from a small town in county Dublin, Rían has landed on the scene with his debut track ‘The Gift of Freedom’. The artist says that the track represents the kind of strength needed to come out on the better side of a bad thing. A slightly Tracy Chapman-esque tune, ‘The Gift of Freedom’ has a pulsating undercurrent of emotion. It’s a soulful debut offering that will sit with listeners long after they hear the gentle guitar strumming.

Kingfishr, ‘Go Loud’

Creating cinematic and anthemic sound, 'Go Loud' is Kingfishr's latest offering. The single opens with an infectious banjo rhythm that pulls the listener in, continues through a striking chorus and builds to a heartfelt finish with swelling vocals. 'Go Loud' intertwines Irish heritage with modern music in the classic Kingfishr way. Speaking on ‘Go Loud’ the band said “It’s about telling the hard truths. If you don't, the weight of those words will warp you out of shape and some day you'll wake up and wonder how you ended up halfway down the wrong road.” If you ever wished Mumford & Sons were Irish, well you’re in luck.

Eve Buckley, ‘Fading on Me’

With a new, slightly dark, sultry look, Eve Buckley’s luscious vocals shine in this cathartic high drama track ‘Fading on Me’. The second single from the Dublin musician, ‘Fading on Me’ is a far more powerful affair than Buckley’s gentle debut of ‘Out of the Light’, however it still retains the artist’s signature vulnerability and raw emotion. In spite of being a tell-all, let loose single- the artist is in perfect control of her considerable vocal capacity as ‘Fading on Me’ builds into a full crescendo using drums and synth to deliver the damning track. A song of righteous anger, ‘Fading on Me’ is the perfect sing along banger to heal to.

Amelia Liz, 'Lonely'

Rising pop artist and host of the I Wish I Knew THAT About Songwriting podcast, Amelia Liz, has released her new snappy single ‘Lonely’. Hailing from Dublin, Liz’s new single is an immediate earworm with its electronic and danceable melody mixed with her gentle vocals.

When talking about the track, Liz says, “I started writing this song because I would feel random bouts of loneliness–that’s when I wrote the first part of the chorus. But then I was listening to my friends, and it seemed to be a nightmare for them to find someone and while I was writing the song...I began writing it more so for them.”

Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets, ‘behind those tears’

Limerick-based indie rockers Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets are back with another up-tempo summer anthem entitled ‘behind those tears’. The opening track of the group’s newest EP, caught up in delusion, the new song eases listeners into the band’s new era of 

“It’s about feeling down, and wanting to feel better, but knowing you can’t because there’s certain things in place that won’t allow you to do that,” Flynn said of the new song. “It’s about wanting to see behind the tears to appreciate what’s actually going on, rather than just wallowing in it.”

Fee Gray, ‘Itch’

Irish singer-songwriter and non-binary pop princess Fee Gray continues their ascent into 2024 with the queer indie-pop track ‘Itch’, a guitar-driven summer belter that speaks to the mental turmoil of feeling trapped in your own body.

"I wrote ‘Itch’ about feeling like you're rotting from the inside out,” said Gray. “With an upbeat feel, in contrast to the lyrics, I wanted it to conjure the image of nails on a chalkboard to encapsulate the feeling of being uncomfortable in your own skin."

RÓGAN, ‘Again & Again’ feat. BIG-BAD

RÓGAN arrives with his debut album Rock Bottom. After releasing tracks and touring extensively as a duo alongside fellow bar spitter ØMEGA, the Louth-raised man felt the time was right to embark on a solo adventure. ‘Again & Again’ is a fitting taster for the LP, exhibiting the rapper’s washed out, trippy production and introspective lyrics.

“Acquiring a feature from BIG-BAD was a struggle but I’m glad I can launch this man into the Irish music scene with his feature on this album,” said RÓGAN on Instagram. “The bars, the flows & the cadence all mesh together perfectly over the beat of this track and I’m glad to have him along.”

Annie-Dog, ‘Fish’

Dublin newcomer Annie-Dog has released her latest indie-pop banger entitled ‘Fish’,  a captivating new track that gives rise to hints of Grimes and Pinkpanthress while maintaining her own personal flair. Entirely written, recorded and produced on her own, the single comes as the young artist’s fourth release of 2024. 

"Fish is a song I wrote about a year ago. Being told that there are plenty of fish in the sea when going through a breakup or whatever always feels so ridiculous because I’m sure it is the case, but what has that got to do with me? Maybe I liked that one fish in particular. I won’t be happy with just any old codfish. That was the general idea when writing this song.”

Iann Brennan, ‘Getaway’

Irish indie-rocker Iann Brennan has emerged on the scene with his fierce new single ‘Getaway’, a melodic anthem helmed by hard-hitting guitar lines and expert vocals. Inspired by the epic trio of Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and Kings of Leon, the new track is infused with the energy of live performance, a clear crowd-favourite from Brennan’s time gigging across Ireland. 

“The song was inspired by me seeking escapism from the reality of life with that special someone,” said Brennan. “That’s all anyone really wants is a stress-free life with the person you love. The piano riff came accidentally from my keys player Del. We were sitting in a rehearsal room and we were going through a different song and he accidentally played that riff or something very similar. It’s probably my favourite song on the record.”

Chameleon, ‘I Never Knew You Well’

Irish singer and producer Chameleon has announced his incoming summer EP Call Me Twice Pt. 1, with the advanced release of the brand new single ‘I Never Knew You Well’. A synth-led, alternative R&B number, the track highlights Chameleon’s unique ability to transcend genre and produce music that breathes energy, conjuring deep emotion through raw, haunting vocals.

 “Everybody’s got secrets. We’re all living a double life,” Chameleon says. “‘I Never Knew You Well’ puts our hidden desires, fears and anxieties under the microscope. This song has been in the works for nearly three years, and I kept coming back to it for its awkwardness and its freakish groove as its beaten production limps onward to the noise of the kick/snare conversation. To me, this song represents the tired, yet determined cry of someone at the end of their tether.” 

Aoife Doyle, ‘Summer In Dublin’

Wicklow singer-songwriter Aoife Doyle has released her heartwarming cover of Liam Reilly’s composition ‘Summer In Dublin’, originally performed by Bagatelle. Alongside guitarist Jack Maher and pianist Tim Doyle, Aoife’s warm vocals soar over the acoustic folk melody, evoking warm memories of the capital city for many who spent their youth in Dublin. 

Recorded for Artscope’s The Dublin Song documentary, which highlights a variety of songs and stories about the city, this new version of the melodious classic is the perfect followup to Aoife’s recent album Infinitely Clear. 

Tommy Cullen, ‘Flatpack'

Dublin indie songwriter Tommy Cullen has dropped his latest summertime rooftop anthem ‘Flatpack’, an eclectic song that journeys from intimate vocal intensity backed by elated western guitar, into a joyous serenade that climaxes with a chorus of radiant vocals backed by an impassioned beat.

Appearing midway through his debut LP Enjoy the Glow, the spaghetti western single was co-written with former bandmate Cormac Feeley, born from a fateful trip to IKEA, the land of flat-packed furniture. The singer describes himself as “an indie artist raised by Gorillaz, Radiohead, and Ennio Morricone in a bizarre ‘three men and a baby’ scenario”, which perfectly captures the energy of ‘Flatpack’.

His Father’s Voice, ‘Forgot To Feed’

Following the release of their critically acclaimed single ‘Arm’s Length’ and their subsequent Irish tour, Limerick new-wave band His Father’s Voice continues their momentum with their brand new offering ‘Forgot to Feed’. Opening with dreamy synth notes and reverb-heavy guitar, both supported by an energetic rhythmic section and moody bass line, the song is brought together by Ash O’Connor’s atmospheric vocals, wrapping up into a melancholic and spacy track.

Speaking of ‘Forgot To Feed’, O’Connor said: “This song came about around the time that I was listening to a lot of Bessie Smith and Ella Fitzerald. I'd like to think there's glimpses of that showing through across certain vocal lines, I don't think I would have made those creative decisions had I been in my usual shoegaze listening rut.

“‘Forgot to Feed’ originally began with quite dark shoegaze guitars, but as the crooning vocals began to achieve the dejected delivery I was looking for, the instrumental brightened and provided a well needed dream-like contrast.”

Rowdy Outsider, ‘Different Heart To Break’

Drogheda pop-punk band Rowdy Outsider are back with their latest headbanging single ‘Different Heart to Break’, the closer of their newly released EP Different Heart To Break. Reminiscent of early 2000s pop punk offerings such as Blink 182 or All Time Low, the track is a high-energy tune with infectious guitar riffs and carefully crafted backup vocals.

Speaking of the track, lead singer Matthew Doyle said: “‘Different Heart to Break’ is a sobering and self-reflective song. It describes the behaviours of a person with a tendency to end both romantic and friendly connections with little regard for the feelings of the other person.

“The lyrics describe awareness and remorse while showing the disconnect between that awareness and their actions. For our first EP we wanted to close with a song that we’d play on repeat even if it wasn’t ours.”

Tim Chadwick, ‘Hey, Gay Boy’

The lead single for Tim Chadwick’s upcoming album Pulverise, ‘Hey, Gay Boy’ is a highly emotional tale of self-acceptance, wrapped up in a gentle and carefully produced pop ballad. With minimalistic instrumentation accompanying Chadwick’s buttery soft vocals, ‘Hey, Gay Boy’ is the ideal poignant anthem for this year’s upcoming Pride Month.

Speaking about the single, Chadwick said: “It is an introspective, hopeful and uplifting love letter to both my younger and current self. I think it could be important to a lot of people who are either currently navigating, questioning, thriving in or struggling with their sexuality.”

Podge Lane, ‘Left Foot Right Foot (Panic)’

Alt-country artist Podge Lane has unveiled his newest single ‘Left Foot Right Foot (Panic)’, a bluesy groovy - dare I say The Beatles adjacent - song for those who deal with their everyday life induced anxiety in a light-hearted, witty manner. This single tackles the fear of growing older through the giddy electric swing guitar and addictive piano melody. ‘Left Foot Right Foot (Panic)’ is the second single off of Lane’s upcoming third studio album Multiple Dead Ends.

“It’s about that fear in your late twenties”, Lane confesses, “that you have so much left to do juxtaposed with a fear that because you didn’t make it as a 22 year old rock star, your dreams are over and it’s time to settle down. That middle ground doesn’t get easier to navigate, and tends to stick around even when you pass milestones you believed were unattainable”

Snow Patrol, 'The Beginning'

As they release some of their first music in six years, Northern Irish rockers Snow Patrol are back with a new single.

Written on a trip to Somerset, ‘The Beginning’ is the cornerstone of the band’s forthcoming eighth studio album, which releases this September. The grandiosity and melodrama of the soundscape is channelled through a freight train of propellant, impassioned vocals and reverb-laden guitar.

“The first day we wrote The Beginning, start to finish.” “And he did the vocal in one take,” says guitarist and keyboardist Johnny McDaid. “Straight after writing the lyrics. So, it has this mind-collapsing quality to it where you feel like you’re seeing into someone’s soul.”

T.A Narrative, ‘Caught Out’

Limerick electro-pop duo T.A. Narrative - Tara Nix and Anna Murphy - have unleashed a turbulent, synth-laden pop offering.

‘Caught Out’ came about unexpectedly, during a handstand competition in Tara’s kitchen, to be specific. Fellow Limerick producer Chris Kirby brought his honed skills to the track, the three of them creating a buzzing, throbbing soundscape in the end.

“I wrote this as an observer, witnessing someone engaging in the addictive state of infatuation, and the destruction that followed," says Tara. "While I claim to be an outside observer, I can't help but see parallels between their behaviour, my own experiences, and the larger societal, environmental, and global issues we all face"

qwasi, 'Crashing/Crushing

Dublin based Electronic/Experimental label Ecstatic Intervals have shared their debut compilation Ecstatic Intervals: Volume 1.  Funds raised from the album going directly towards the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. The eclectic project features 14 forward-thinking Irish electronic artists,  including the label’s founder Eric Fitzgerald, aka qwasi, who crafts a serene, percussive and glitchy soundscape on ‘Crashing/Crushing’.

 

Caleb & Walshy, ‘Patrick Bateman’

Hip-hop duo Caleb & Walshy take inspiration from the American Psycho himself with their latest bass-heavy single ‘Patrick Bateman’, a track which discusses day-to-day inauthenticity with assertive clarity.

"It’s largely inspired by personal experiences in corporate jobs where everyone smiles with their mouths but never with their eyes,” says Caleb. “Everyone’s at breaking point; everyone knows it, but no one dares say it. We're all on edge, but we keep silent."

 

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Daughter Of A Drum, ‘Hippy’

Daughter Of A Drum’s, born Aoife McAtamney, latest single ‘Hippy’ is an audacious and vibrant offering from the Co. Kildare multi-instrumentalist. Penned during a moment of inspiration in the shower, the track marksMcAtamney, inaugural venture into songwriting.

Both contemplative and catchy, ‘Hippy’ pays homage to the Irish Mammy, portraying the complexities of a woman navigating relationships and the role of motherhood, set against a genre-defying jazzy backdrop. The song opens with a moody trio of silky vocals, mysterious piano chords and scattered rhythmic section, followed by a stirring, wind-instruments supported chorus.

Siobhán Winifred, ‘Lungs’

Indie singer Siobhán Winifred has dropped a song for the hopeless romantics that will have them dancing around their rooms and pulling out their hair over her delicate vocals that draw influence from Nell Mescal and Girl In Red. The singer has taken a turn away from her usual alt-pop style seen in her two most recent singles ‘This House’ and ‘Sober’, and moved into a more passionate, buoyant indie rock approach.

Growing up in an Irish family based in the tranquil surroundings of Dorset, Winifred was inspired at a young age by the music of Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen and Alex Turner. Her new single ‘Lungs’ comes before her first ever headline show in The Lower Third, London on October 15.

Skanger, ‘Debris’

Dublin-based rockers Skanger have released their newest single ‘Debris’, accompanied by a stunning, red-lit music video shot by lead singer Mark Healy. The latest track to be lifted from their upcoming LP Love & Violence, the song explores themes of questioning, introspection and conflict.

Shifting between deep melancholy and boiling frustration, the single’s lyrics delve into the complexities of understanding one’s actions and accepting their consequences. 

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