AILSHA, ‘MEOW’

Alt-metal, sparklecore artist AILSHA continues to build on a successful 2024 with her electrifying, brand-new single ‘MEOW’.

A propulsive blend of alternative and prog-metal, ‘MEOW’ fuses raucous guitar riffs, rollicking double kicks and synths that flicker with technicolor richness. With vibrant lyricism, the track laments the day-to-day life of AILSHA’s beloved pet cat Nugget. With three legs and a tonne of attitude, ‘MEOW’ taps into Nugget’s demands for boundless affection and attention.

“I wanted to write the song from [Nugget’s] perspective which I feel applies to most pets- they're only here for a short time, but a good time, and within that short time we become their whole world,” AILSHA remarks of the song. “It's definitely the heaviest song yet and already a hit at my live shows. I can't wait for people to hear this one.”

piglet & Tiberius b, 'certainty'

Irish singer-songwriter and producer piglet (Charlie Loane) and Tiberius b (Frank Belcourt) have joined forces, releasing the brilliant new single, ‘certainty’.

The alt-pop anthem marks the second offering from piglet’s 2024 return, following his seven songs EP in 2022, which addressed the injustices of access to healthcare for trans people and crafted a sonic celebration of queer identity.

“I've been a big fan of Frank's music for a long time, so it's been a real privilege to work together on this tune,” piglet says of his collaboration with London-based artist Tiberius b. “Frank and I have been saying for ages that we should write a song together, so it's lovely that this has come to be!”

Shiv feat. Kojaque, ‘Cherry Pie’

Dreamy reversed keys, a dubby rhythm section, soulful R&B vocals, and a typically effortless verse from Kojaque are the order of the day on this gaptoof-produced lo-fi delight, as shiv comes in hot with the second single from her imminent album. The Zimbabwean/Irish artist’s debut LP the defiance of a sadgirl, as the title might suggest, comes off the back of a tumultuous period of the artist's life, during which she moved country and ended various professional and personal relationships. Well known as one of the butteriest voices to emerge from Ireland for a while now, this project can’t come soon enough.

Tim Chadwick, ‘Call Me When The Coast Is Clear’

The self-professed Irish Prince of Queer Alt-Pop offers another rousing tase of his debut album with ‘Call Me When The Coast Is Clear’. Dramatically produced and emotional to goosebump-giving effect, introspective lyrics showcase Chadwick’s knack for acute self-awareness and powerful vocal delivery.

His debut album Pulverise is out August 19 – with the title inspired by a setting on an old blender he spotted while making breakfast one morning.  "It just looked and sounded so incredibly dramatic, over-the-top and so final", Chadwick states. “It’s kind of funny that we throw all these individually beautiful things inside this machine and then completely annihilate them in order to make something new. It’s an interesting concept, 'destruction as a means to create and renew.’ Love can be very much like that at times”.

Siomha Hennessy, 'This Party'

Taken from her musical comedy show 30 Under 30, delivers a debut single which coasts between tongue-in-cheek and sincerity to a charming effect. There's a country feel emanating throughout the song, as Hennessy offers her humorous fly-on-the-wall observations of a social gathering.

Appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe this August, the Dublin's native has described her upcoming show as  "a comedy cabaret with original songs that asks 'What must I do to get onto one of those lists of successful young people and does it involve lying?'"

 

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Kehli, 'Need Me'

Hotly-tipped Dubliner Kehli channels a groovy Ariana Grande/Sabrina Carpenter pop-princess confidence on this sun-soaked, funky groove. It's the latest notch on an ever-growing belt of impressive achievements for the 23-year-old, who's no stranger to a solstitial hit after 2021's 'Summer Lovin' earned streaming figures in the millions. 'Need Me' marks the singer's first release of 2024, having dropped a string of tunes and a Christmas single last year.

 

 

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Pinhole, 'I Want Desire'

Based between Dingle and Cork, avant-garde duo Mark McLoughlin and Ciara O’Flynn put their vast artistic experience to good use on this atmospheric electronic tune, which builds slowly through soft instrumentation before all tension is let loose on the chorus.

Speaking about the track, Pinhole said “The song was written thinking about the role of desire and the sensual in life and how we need them to remain healthy and full of vitality. Our culture is so hell-bent in speeding us up. Speed and sensuousness are practically incompatible, so the song is essentially a resistance to hurrying up, instead asking us to slow down and tune into the body and our spirit—the things that really matter.”

 

NewEra, 'Dance With U'

Still riding a high from their all-action showing at Longitude, house-duo NewEra have finally followed up their megahit 'Birds In The Sky' with another vibey number. 'Dance With U' follows in a similar fashion, with high pitched vocals and a dramatic, groovy and driving piano line destined to instigate a t-step or two on dancefloors across Ireland and beyond.

Kingfishr, 'Caroline'

Folk poppers Kingfishr , whose popularity seems to be growing at an exponential rate, deliver Live From Dublin, an 11 track recording from the first of two sold out headline shows at the 3Olympia. ‘Caroline’ is the gig’s anthemic closer, with frontman Eddy Keogh's poetic lyricism rebounded by his adoring crowd to sonorous effect.

“The 3Olympia Theatre was the venue we targeted from day one, it's iconic in Ireland and for any Irish artist it's the dream,” said the band. “Whether it took us 2 years or 20, we wanted to headline it and when that opportunity arose in little over a year it was hard to believe.”

 

The Devlins, ‘All The Days’

A synthy throwback to the radio-dominating soft rock of the early ‘90s, the veteran posse spearheaded by brothers Colin and Peter Devlin team up with Hozier, Depeche Mode and PJ Harvey collaborator Rob Kirwan on the lead single from their upcoming album All The Days, set to be their first full-length offering since 2005.

“It’s an emotional and uplifting song that deals with time passing, with accepting and letting go,” says Colin Devlin. “It deals with resilience and holding on to the magic and the light. And of course, there are conversations with angels and the big questions...It also has superb production by Rob Kirwan which hits me every time.”

chameleon, ‘Made You Look’

The third track, ‘Made You Look’, from chameleon’s brand-new EP, CALL ME TWICE PT. 1., is an ambitious number that charts themes of detachment and lack of accountability.

“‘Made You Look’ was the last song I wrote for the project. To me, it is an amalgamation of all of the other songs,” Harris comments. “This track sees the protagonist enter a tongue-in-cheek self-appraisal of his actions toward the women in his life. He is consistently distant, emotionally numb and dismissive of his partners.”

Channelling Thom Yorke’s vocal chops, ‘Made You Look’ brilliantly captures chameleon’s - aka Matthew Harris - ability to transcend the confines of genre and conjure wholehearted sincerity with his haunting and evocative aural stylings.

Kynsy, 'Stereo Games'

Following in a '90s influenced vein akin to her standalone single 'Money’, Dublin-raised, London-based alt rocker Kynsy delivers another distortion lathered banger, which is equal parts gritty and boogie-inducing - not least thanks to a gnarly bassline which Kris Novoselic would be proud of. Knysy's accompanied 'Stereo Games' with a suitably quirky video, depicting the singer alongside a doppleganger in various, sitcom-like domestic settings.

His Father's Voice, 'The Blues'

Hot on the heels of an Irish tour, Limerick post-punk outfit His Father’s Voice deliver a brooding yet infectious new single.

‘The Blues’ swells with soaring pop melodies, kinetic rhythms and rip-roaring guitars. The live-wire track tugs at the lush atmosphere that looms around lead singer Ash O’Connor and lead guitarist James Reidy, intensified by Laya Meabhdh and Cian McGuirk who contain and release a loose-jointed rhythm section.

“While the song is lyrically grim, the name itself is quite tongue in cheek, with the riff being an obvious nod to the twelve-bar blues,” the band says. “But that’s as far as the blues influence goes, it's as deceptive as the topic of interest.”

Laura Elizabeth Hughes, 'Casual'

Soaked in feeling, Laura Elizabeth Hughes’ new single, ‘Casual’ is a rumination on nostalgia. A heartfelt exploration of the emotion, the track features effortless vocals and harmonies from Hughes, supported by an unfiltered blend of piano, guitar, and cello.

“It's airy but close and inspired by the knotted-up ties we create with our childhood places and people,” said Hughes, speaking on the song. ‘Casual’ is the second single to be released off the artist’s long-awaited debut album, a project that follows a string of acclaimed EPs.

49th & Main feat. A Little Sound, 'Can't Walk Away'

Electronic pop duo (And Kilkenny natives) 49th & Main have collaborated with singer-songwriter A Little Sound to deliver a song infused with feelings of summer.

Comprised of Paddy King and Ben O’Sullivan, 49th & Main’s mixture of indie pop, D&B and house make ‘Can’t Walk away’ a uniquely energetic tune. Vocals from King and A Little Sound deliver heartfelt lyrics of optimism in the face of a breakup.
Nominated for the Choice Music prize in 2023, the duo are gearing up to go on their biggest tour of the UK to date.

Queen Bitch, ‘Peaceful Feeling’

Featuring an impossibly laid-back mixture of grunge and the blues, ‘Peaceful feeling’ sees Queen Bitch exploring life’s turbulent times.

The opening bassline introduces the song’s earworm of a melody, as well as the songs unrushed tempo while lead singer Roisin Bohan’s clear vocals invoke vivid imagery.

“’Peaceful Feeling’ reassures us that we are guided by a higher power and do not have to navigate life's struggles alone,” said the band in a statement. “It is a call to endure, trust the process, and find solace in knowing that we will return to safer shores.”

Aimee Cuffe, ‘Don't Forget’

Rising star of Irish indie-pop Aimee Cuffe has unveiled her new single ‘Don’t Forget’, a soft and captivating track about moving away from home and the bittersweet feeling of embarking on a new adventure while having to leave loved ones behind.

With Cuffe’s breezy and delicate vocal performance, ‘Don’t Forget’ is an uplifting summer anthem with a gentle aftertaste of nostalgia, perfectly reflecting the themes of the track.

Speaking of the song, the singer says: “Everyone I talk to is either moving abroad or all their friends have moved to Australia. I wrote this song when I was in the middle of planning my move away from home and I think it captures all the emotions we go through in that process perfectly, I really hope that it resonates with anyone who’s going through the same”

The Jobseekerz, ‘Get Rich’

Self-described as “The sweatiest band south of the border” The Jobseekerz need to ‘Get Rich’ may stem from anxiety around losing teeth, but if it results in music this good, there’s no point in us worrying about it.

Powerful guitar riffs and loud drums add to the impact of every rapped lyric, which contributes to an alt-rock sound straight from the genre’s heyday. Combining humour and social commentary in their shows, the group has garnered a reputation for energetic live performances.

Gráinneog, ‘Brian and the Books of Graham Greene’

Cinematic folk ribbons and orchestral foliage entwine on the gorgeously spellbinding new track from Cork singer-songwriter Gráinneog.

‘Brian and the Books of Graham Greene’ centres on the singer’s close friend, Brian, one of Ireland’s most lauded pianists who unfortunately retired in 2022 due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The song details Brian’s fearlessness in the face of his own fate, quietly spending his days in Belfast without care and with the novels of British author Graham Greene (whose book titles make up a sizeable chunk of the song’s lyrics).

There truly aren’t enough words to express the beauty and splendour Gráinneog evokes on ‘Brian and the Books of Graham Greene’, a song that would fit seamlessly into the music of Inside Llewyn Davis or Submarine. But don’t take our word for it, listen to this astonishing opus yourself, perhaps sitting outside or near an open window (trust us).

Conor Hamilton-Long, ‘By The Way’

An audacious feel-good track, ‘By The Way’ is Conor Hamilton-Long’s first release since relocating to Mebourne, Australia - and the first of a string of releases this year.

Focused on learning from past mistakes and setting boundaries for yourself, ‘By The Way’ is an uplifting blend of funky beats, carefully crafted arpeggios and head-bopping vocal lines. Taking inspiration from pop and alt R&B, the track’s sound is reminiscent of artists such as Omar Apollo or SiR.

Mirrorglass ‘Let’s Go to Mine’

The third single from Cavan rock outfit Mirrorglass is a propulsive offering of arena rock sensibilities that tread a distinctly punk fault line. Fans of all rock persuasions, from The White Stripes to Guns N’ Roses, will find it a welcome addition to their playlists.

‘Let’s Go to Mine’ is a blistering anthem of breakneck drum patterns, thunderous riffage and pulsating basslines. The pounding drums from Shane Galligan (17) and rip-roaring bass chops from Rowan Davis (17) drive the track towards its kinetic climax. Lead vocalist Joshua Bowles (18) delivers a powerhouse performance of compelling and atom-smashing vocals.

At once, ‘Let’s Go to Mine’ is an electrifying number presenting hot-blooded streams of thought and sonics whereupon the harrowing crashes headlong into the whimsical.

Marty Guilfoyle & James Warnock, ‘All Night’

Irish DJ and Radio presenter Marty Guilfoyle has teamed up with James Warnock to drop their electrifying new track, 'All Night'.

With its infectious beats and captivating vocals, ‘All Night’ is a high-octane club tune, reminiscent of old-school, fast-paced dance music. It explores the theme of walking away from a bad relationship with your head held high.

Talking about this collaboration, Marty explains that he ‘became familiar with James a long time ago when he opened up for me at one of my gigs in Ireland. Since then he has been sending me his releases which I have been supporting on my radio shows. When he sent me a version of 'All Night', I loved it!! We got stems, went to work and here's the final product. James is from Sligo, so it's an all Irish collab. Dance music is thriving in Ireland at the moment so it's amazing to be part of it.'

Idle Discourse, ‘Caveat’

Heavy-hitting, genre-hopping five-piece band Idle Discourse have released their new single ‘Caveat’.

In a seamless blend of a rock/metal backdrop and hip-hop inspired verses, the track is innovative, dark and incredibly infectious, thanks to heavy-hitting instrumental lines and a deeply powerful vocal performance.

Speaking of the song, the band said: ‘Caveat’ is a powerful and introspective song that delves into the themes of existential struggle and the search for personal empowerment and enlightenment. Through its vivid and evocative lyrics, the song paints a haunting picture of a world controlled by unseen forces, where individuals grapple with their sense of identity and freedom. The term "CAVEAT" (a warning or proviso) introduces a moment of reflection or caution. It serves as a reminder that despite the urge to resist and fight, there are inherent risks and potential consequences that must be considered.

Cold Soviets, ‘A Decade of the Devil's Rosary’

Belfast “doom-pop” multi-instrumentalist Cold Soviets, also known as John Bakewell, has resurfaced with a masterfully curveballing new single, ‘A Decade of the Devil’s Rosary’.

Dark and atmospheric, the track’s muffled vocals, slow beat and heavy string lines are reminiscent of the best 80s goth tracks, blurring the lines between skillful indie-pop, earworming shoegaze and alternative rock.

Aimee Carty, ‘Baker’

The first release off of Aimee Carty’s upcoming EP, ‘Baker’ is a minimalistic piano ballad about the disillusionment of growing up.

Hailing from Galway, Carty offers a delicate and buttery-smooth vocal performance accompanied by gentle piano lines, making for the perfect nostalgic pop track, both soft and bittersweet.

Caitlin Orla - ‘in your space’

‘in ur space’ marks Caitlin Orla’s sophomore single on Sonorous Objects and ambient and sentimental one too. After a year away from music (and her debut release 'Out of Time') finishing her studies in London, Caitlin headed home to her studio hidden in a forest in West Cork, excluding the outside world to dig deeper into her exploration of poetry, analogue synthesis, and modular beat systems, whilst playing with vocal layers, for emotionally resonant sound making. Enlisting her Dad as co-producer, ‘in ur space’ merges left field beats with floating sonic landscapes and haunting delicate vocals to make a fresh and compelling sound.

The Script, ‘At Your Feet’

Irish rock mainstays The Script are back with a tender yet euphoric offering ‘At Your Feet’. Sharing the new single on social media, the band said:”We hope the lyrics resonate with you as deeply as they do with us”. At once both a stadium worthy banger, and a vulnerable love song- The Script are back to their MO. Featuring Danny O’Donoghue’s take on Bono-style vocals, and uplifting keys, ‘At Your Feet’ is the perfect roll down your windows on sunny drive anthem.

LaVine, ‘Stay’

A tender and heartfelt single has come from dreamy ballad maestro LaVine in the form of ‘Stay’. The single is a pleading keys track where the singer's honeyed vocals shine. Hailing from Northern Ireland, LaVine puts an emphasis on multifaceted storytelling and ‘Stay’ is no different. Taking her style in more pop direction rather than her twangy country offerings- ‘Stay’ still retains Lavine’s powerful vocals and emotional sensibility.

modernlove., ‘Yours

An upbeat single from the first joyous drumbeat, modernlove’s ‘Yours’ is the stuff of coming of age indie film soundtracks. Speaking on the track, the indie rockers said ‘Yours’ “is a song about what it means to belong to somebody”. Melodramatic lyrics are the order of the day along with whisper soft verses to belting chorus- truly delivering the romantic crescendo ‘Yours’ deserves. Elements of the production will remind listeners of Supercut era Lorde, while Barry Lally’s vocal performance brings the track home.

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