Amano x Kalabanx, ‘BE GRAND’

THREAD, the debut EP from Kerry songwriter Amano and Cork producer Kalabanx, sees the pair embark on an experimental Irish-language music project, blending trip hop, afrohouse, sean-nós and drum and bass with pop sensibilities.

‘Be Grand’, the second of four tracks on the EP, combines these melting-pot influences to ethereal  effect, with sprightly folk instrumentation and a trap beat providing the support for Amano’s angelic, Goidelic vocals.

“The project is stitched together by the red thread of fate, a Japanese folkloric allegory for the earthly teachers we call our anamchairde or soulmates,” reads a statement from the artists. “The blood red pulse of the record is also a nod to An Dream Dearg and the ongoing struggle for language rights on the island of Ireland.”

 

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BLÁNID, ‘Funeral Suit’

BLÁNID’s second collaboration with Ciaran Lavery, ‘Funeral Suit’ is a moody track of hypnotising, waltzing beats. The song opens with jarring cynical lyricism and the singer’s smooth, whispery vocals, making for a whirling track about the pitfalls of our patriarchal society.

Speaking of the track, Ciaran says: “Men have given women the role of the stoic, silent support; the uncredited solid foundation for centuries. This song is one of frustration and recognition of that.” BLÁNID agrees commenting, “we wanted to capture a glimpse of the fatigue and apathy that can so often be intertwined with womanhood, and the longing to escape it”.

Daughter of a Drum, ‘Space’

Rising star Daughter of A Drum’s new track ‘Space’, released in collaboration with award-winning artist and activist Justin Vivian Bond, is a deeply evocative and stirring tune.

The collaboration was born from a serendipitous meeting nearly a decade ago between Aoife McAtamney, aka Daughter Of A Drum, and Bond at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. In the track, Bond’s haunting vocals blend with McAtamney’s polished performance and gentle piano chords, forming into a honey-rich sound.

Arrow In The Sky, ‘Cardboard Town’

Alt-Folk duo Arrow In The Sky are unveiling ‘Cardboard Town’, a soul-stirring, trad-laced tune coming right along the release of their self-titled debut LP.

The poignant and evocative delves deep into the intricate and often blurred line between brilliance and mental illness, a theme that resonates powerfully through its haunting lyrics – yet the melody is still boisterous, hopeful even through dark times.

 

Jordan Adetunji, ‘KEHLANI REMIX’ feat. Kehlani

Viral Belfast sensation Jordan Adetunji has dropped another remix of his biggest hit. This one is undoubtedly more special than its predecessors, not least because it features the very figure who inspired the original song, With Kehlani dropping in to deliver a killer verse.

Her appearance is very much a testament to the song's reach. Since its release in May, 'KEHLANI' has clocked up over 83 million streams on Spotify, catapulting the alternative hip-hop artist – previously tipped as one of Hot Press's 'Hot For 2019 Irish Acts' – onto the world stage. The official music video for the track, directed by Dublin-based creative Ovie Etseyatse, has garnered an additional 23.5 million views.

Sour Blood, ‘Suas’

‘Overgrowing’ is characterised by an addictive acoustic guitar rhythm and a haunting, Elliot Smith-evoking atmosphere. Through poetic, nature-themed lyrics , it proves a fitting closer to Sour Blood’s impressive eight track debut album Suas.

The project was written and recorded between Gothenburg and Dublin from 2022 to 2023 in collaboration with Brendan Jenkinson (Villagers, Aoife Nessa Francis, John Francis Flynn).

 

Carsten2X , ‘LIL❀THINGS’ feat. KhakiKid

Carsten2X and KhakiKid continue their fruitful habit of collaboration, on this track which is simultaneously chilled and heart-rending. An afro-inspired rhythm and jazzy guitar licks interweaving with Khakikid’s typically slick flow and Carsten’s soulful, R&B-influenced introspections .

2024 has proved a busy year so far for the Dublin-raised artist/producer, with ‘LIL❀THINGS’ marking his fourth release of the yar, following up from ‘callmepretty’ which dropped last month.

 

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Micah, ‘Downgrade’

Micah’s latest number is a groovy radio-ready banger, combining the high energy and emotion offered by the giant girl groups of the mid ‘00s with honest, empowering lyrics. An alumni of BIMM in Dublin, the song is set to feature as part of the singer’s debut EP Villain, which lands in October.

“The song tells the story of a relationship that crumbles due to deceit and misplaced trust,” says Micah. “The ex-partner's decision to believe the lies of a so-called friend, who had a romantic interest, leads to heartbreak and a profound realization for the narrator.”

hhH, ‘Australia’ (feat ARN)

Donegal polymath Arn has teamed up with Belfast-based, Ghaoth Dobhair native hhH on the irreverent debut single ‘Australia’.

The lyrics tell the story of an Irish man emigrating to Australia, hoping to make something of himself in the fallout of the 2008 crash, only to come back, buy property and “fuck the place up for a new generation”.

The track is a clear banger, boasting rousing guitar fuzz, tongue-in-cheek vocals and electrifying drummage. Sampling UMO’s ‘Cyrus Theme’, chopped up on a vintage Nintendo Gamecube controller in lieu of an MPC, hhH’s offering bleeds sonic propulsion and red-hot truth.

Lucy Gaffney, ‘lovestruck’

Lucy Gaffney’s new single ‘lovestruck’ is a gentle and moving ballad for the lovesick. With the singer’s buttery-smooth vocal performance and its lazy melody, the track is the perfect accompaniment to never-ending, lonely and longing summer afternoons – nostalgic, tender and surprisingly swaying.

Corner Boy, ‘Beast Of Burden’

Corner Boy’s new track ‘Beast Of Burden’ is an uplifting and energetic folk song exploring identity and understanding in a relationship. Combining elements of bluegrass, roots and traditional Irish, the track is the first of five songs written by Corner Boy at a songwriting session in the West of Ireland in 2023 and features elevating guitar chords, swaying fiddle lines and a euphoria-filled vocal performance.

Spoon Speaker Man, ‘The Age Of No Opinion’

‘The Age of No Opinion’ is the titular track from Spoon Speaker Man’s forthcoming album, exploring the effects of modern media on our surroundings whilst driving home the reality of its influence on our judgement.

With blistering guitar riffage, magnetic basslines and propulsive drum breaks, the instrumental offers a pounding complement to exacting and intuitive lyrics that deftly capture the fear and realities of the present day.

Spoon Speaker Man are comprised of iconic Power of Dreams and Archive frontman, Craig Walker, and Dan Worton, one fifth of the legendary Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, who have joined forces to record their debut album The Age Of No Opinion.

Kate Field, ‘Legacy’

With a playful, pop punk sound that would make Paramore jealous, Kate Field has declared her arrival on the scene with ‘Legacy’. The combination of sharp wordplay over unfiltered, rhythm heavy instruments create a tune that is as funky as it is punky.

Speaking on the themes of fame in ‘Legacy’, field said “In the lyrics ‘to walk like a Marilyn, to talk like a Kennedy’ I wanted to imply that we all want to be perceived as attractive yet powerful with a story that stands the tests of time.”

Oscar Wilkins, ‘Slow Burn’

Bridging the gap between The Weeknd and Metallica was never going to be an easy task, but Oscar Wilkins ran head-first at the challenge regardless. The song contrasts soaring synth and vocals with guitar that alternates between melodic jangling and heavily distorted power chords.

Speaking on 'Slow Burn', the Dublin artist said “This song simultaneously sums up my journey as a person and my journey as a musician so far and how they’ve both intertwined.” Slow Burn is Wilkins’ third release of 2024, and 7th since his 2023 debut.

 

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Nova Dream, 'Black Cinema'

With a fast-paced, heavy bassline, Nova Dream instantly catch the attention of any ambient listener. With an alt rock sound dripping in melancholic gloom, wailing guitars and loud drums support lyrics that explore themes of change. It’s no wonder that they describe 'Black Cinema' as one of their favourites to play live.

Comprised of Josh Bartschi on bass and vocals, Gabriel Rizzo on guitar and vocals, and drummer Danny Maguire, Nova Dream recorded ‘Black Cinema’ between Darklands, and the trio’s home studio.

Gurriers, ‘Top of the Bill’

Post-punk powerhouses Gurriers have slowed things down a bit for ‘Top Of The Bill’. With a duet between the melodic guitar playing and a swaying bassline, the song builds to the loudness that’s usually associated with the band- but not at the expense of pensive lyrics.

Frontman Dan Hoff explained that ‘Top Of The Bill’ features some of his most personal lyrics, describing it as “a distorted love story- a warning to myself of a person I could have been." The track is the latest release off the band’s upcoming album, Come and See, out September 13.

Liadh, ‘Can’t Face The Day’

The debut offering from Athlone singer-songwriter and producer Liadh is an electropop banger that traverses themes of sobriety and mental health. It is the first release from Liadh’s upcoming EP, Illusions, which boasts vibrant melodies and an exploration of themes not explicitly expressed in popular culture.

Many will know Liadh, that’s Leah Moloney, as the creative director for Florence and the Machine’s book club, Between Two Books, and the singer draws from a similar palette as the English indie rock band with lush sonics and mesmeric vocals from Liadh. Her love of reading and literature influences her poetic approach to lyrics, as such, and informs the singer’s trajectory as an emerging artist unafraid of pushing at the boundaries of her ambition, in content and form.

The Ephades, ‘Giving Out’

The kids are alright, clearly, and the latest single from 17-year-old rockers, The Ephades, confirms this in spades.

This week, the band - Cahir, Grace M, Grace N, and Kyle - bring their fresh sound to the world with ‘Giving Out’. Biting and introspective, the banger journeys through themes of self-preservation and the sinking feeling that comes with knowing that all things end.

In several ways, the song harnesses a certain comfort, especially in the verses with soft vocals and instrumentation, before pummelling headlong as underlying emotions are uncovered. A surefire, certified banger that is sure to cement The Ephades as one of Ireland’s most exciting rock bands at the fore.

EDEN, ‘5ever’

Dublin producer and singer EDEN has returned with '5ever', another display of his multi-instrumental talents. With a slow tempo, the emotion in the song is palpable, as he wonders about how things could be different “If time could stand still/ if I could change”.

Earning comparisons to Post Malone and Frank Ocean, Eden has amassed over billion streams on Spotify alone. Known for genre bending tunes, this percussion-heavy track is no exception, which sees his sound stripped back to basics and carried by strong, harmonising vocals.

 

Thee U.F.O (Unique Friends), ‘Glowing Friends’

Melting meat grinder post punk and 60s inspired psychedelia together, ‘Glowing Friends’ is the latest release from Thee UFO’s EP of the same name. The track, which comes in just under four and a half minutes, takes the listener on an expansive sonic odyssey, with far away vocals, immediate and sleazy guitar line, and sun soaked distortion. The single makes for the perfect escape this Friday.

Leah Rose, ‘Emeralds’

A sultry, Chromatics inspired single, ‘Emeralds’ marks Leah Rose’s latest release. The synth-pop track delves into the exhilarating feeling of living in a new city and the rush of inspiration that comes with it. ‘Emeralds’ explores the contrast between wanting to fully immerse oneself in new experiences and the simultaneous desire to step back and observe the environment surrounding you to later reflect on how this period of discovery is altering your way of thinking. The electronic number is the sonic equivalent of a cheeky drunk cig - delectable and dark.

Lord Jane - ‘Harmonia’

A soft grunge-y offering from the Northern Irish five piece rock outfit, ‘Harmonia’ is Lord Jane’s latest single off their upcoming debut EP Tulips. ‘Harmonia’ with its intrepid guitar playing, is actually inspired by the 2023 film Barbie. Lead singer Clódagh May said of the song that: “As we left the cinema, I overheard mothers and older sisters starting conversations with the young girls they brought along, answering questions that, at their age, I never would have even thought to ask. The experience was so moving that I began writing 'Harmonia' as soon as I got home”. The single delves into the pressures of young womanhood and is sure to strike a chord with any Wolf Alice fans out there.

Soft Launch, ‘In My Bed’

Speaking on their funky single, Soft Launch have said: “My bed, your bed, your big aunty Phyllis’ (she’s not that big) bed, old man Rivers’ bed, that weird literal grown man who keeps DMing you on IG at 2am to tell you about the Kendrick Drake beef’s bed, it doesn’t matter who. We’ve all cracked one out to Chalamet on occasion and this is what’s truly gonna unify the left and right in these tumultuous times”. It’s a funky psychedelic daydream of a single, the perfect offering this Friday for those who are down bad.