SPRINTS, ‘Feast’

Dublin punks SPRINTS first single with guitarist Zac Stephenson oozes noise and grit, and brims with the unapologetic in-your-face attitude that we’ve come to expect from Karla Chubb and co. Produced by revered Gilla Band man Dan Fox, the edgy tune is said to take inspiration from gothic fiction and poetry, exploring “the idea of gluttony, consumption and desire, particularly when it comes to sexuality and romance."

The music video for the track features a juxtaposition of queer expression and religious imagery.

"The Bible stories and fables of good, bad, morality and sin were always pressed upon us,” add the band. “I thought it was interesting to use this iconography and imagery reimagined in a queer context."

 

U2, ‘Country Mile’

In the run-up to the 20th anniversary of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, the legendary U2 have announced a special new 'shadow album', How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb – featuring previously unreleased songs from the original album recording sessions.

The anthemic and romantic 'Country Mile' is as U2 as it gets, opening with soaring harmonies and The Edge’s trademark atmosphere-moulding guitar plucks.

"The sessions for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb were such a creative period for the band, we were exploring so many song ideas in the studio,” says the guitarist. “ We were inspired to revisit our early music influences, and it was a time of deep personal introspection for Bono who was attempting to process - dismantle - the death of his father.

“For this anniversary edition I went into my personal archive to see if there were any unreleased gems and I hit the jackpot. We chose ten that really spoke to us. Although at the time we left these songs to one side, with the benefit of hindsight we recognize that our initial instincts about them being contenders for the album were right, we were onto something.”

 

IMLÉ, ‘Cathain’ feat. Róisín Seoighe and James Shannon

Irish language group IMLÉ’S latest Goidelic bop sees them team up with vocalist Róisín Seoighe, and rapper James Shannon for a re-imagined version of' Cathain A D’Fhill Tú Ó Shasana' from their 2022 album Fáilte Isteach.

A laid back, rootsy, blend of hip-hop of R&B and J.J Cale-style dad rock,  the track tells us about a relationship between two characters, one of which has emigrated to England and has now returned. After this character returns the couple rekindle their relationship – though it’s made clear from Shannon’s perspective that the breakup left some scars.

 

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Carrie Baxter, 'In The Morning'

After a brief hiatus from releasing music in 2023, Carrie Baxter has returned with her latest EP Keep Swimming. The Waterford-raised, London-based artist cites a period of reflection which “allowed her to explore her vulnerabilities as an artist” for helping her delve deeper into her songwriting –  evident in the groove-laden ‘In The Morning’ – which flaunts lo-fi funk keys and Baxter’s heavenly Winehouse-evoking vocals.

"The song is about meeting someone that you connect with instantly,” says Baxter. That connection of energy that you feel maybe you’ve known before without explanation.

“I needed the sound to ignite a certain amount of sexiness but also be super chilled at the same time. Once we got the chords right, everything else flowed effortlessly. The track is a tribute to the influence of soul icons like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott and draws inspiration from the rich sounds of 90s neo-soul.”

 

Meryl Streek, ‘Dogs’

Politically-charged Dublin punk artist Meryl Streek joins forces with  Cal Graham of The Chisel for a song that is simultaneously sweet-sounding and vicious. Sonically, the latest single from Streek’s Song For The Deceased album boasts a frenetic beat and jazzy instrumentation, providing a juxtaposing backdrop for Streeks’ fervent disgust on society’s diminishing integrity.

“Every day my faith in people diminishes more and more,” he says. “This song was inspired by a dog called Archy who lives at the top of my road. The dogs greets me with a smile and says hello to me in his own way every single day. Something that people can't seem to do anymore.”

Kadillac and Mickzart, ‘Red Brick Blue Sky’ feat. Wallfella

A smooth laid-back hip-hop number, with an ornate, soul-tinged beat courtesy of Kadillac, capital rappers Mickzart and Wallfella reminisce on years gone by with some astute, humorous  wordplay.

“I stuck this beat on and was instantly transported back to adolescence,” says Mickzart “It felt like a Summers Day when everyone was on break from school and you were going on a float with a few mates. There was a lovely sense of home off it. I wrote and recorded a verse and sent it to Kev and he loved it. Considering we both grew up so close to each other we could both tap into the same buzz and make something genuine.”

 

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James Vincent McMorrow, ‘Glu’

Fresh from releasing his excellent, critically acclaimed album Wide open, horses James Vincent McMorrow puts his trademark falsetto on show for a an intimate reflection on love, connection, and the complexities that come with it. Co-written with Ilsey Juber and recorded in only two hours, the song delicately outlines the balance between being together and alone, underpinned by McMorrow's vulnerable introspection.

“I wrote this with Ilsey Juber the first day I met her,” says the singer. “It was born out of a conversation about love—when you find that person, you bind yourself to them, but so much of that is both beautiful and hard. It’s about understanding the intensity of it all, making it work not just on the good days but the bad ones.”

 

NewDad, ‘Under My Skin’

Galway shoegaze rockers NewDad made serious waves in Ireland beyond with their debut album MADRA in January and their first slice of fresh material since then throws more coals into the hype train’s engine.

A driving 16^th note bassline rumbles through the track, as do repeating jangly guitars, which provide an aptly moody soundtrack for Julie Dawson’s (herself fresh off the back off a stellar debut solo album) emotional account of a regretful relationship.

Fionn Regan, ‘FAREWELL’

The latest single to be shared from Bray folkster Fionn Regan’s upcoming album O AVALANCHE is heartbreakingly delicate, patterned with some Cohen-esque fingerpicking and churchly, ethereal vocals as the signer details on a hopeful farewell.

“This is a song about being up all night and saying farewell to someone, but the song ends with the line, “There’s not a lot to say until you are back this way, farewell”,” said Regan on social media. “This is another song written in the mountains of Deia, Mallorca. I can see the morning light and the mountain paths when I listen to this, the energy of the song somehow created and echoed the climate and visual world of the lyrics, which doesn’t always happen that clearly.”

 

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DuckyProd x GNS x The Kyd G x V-Sensei, ‘UNSERIOUSLY SERIOUS’

‘UNSERIOUSLY SERIOUS’ is a emotion-laden Rap/HipHop/Trap track made for “stargazers and those delusional enough to chase their dreams”. Produced, mixed and mastered by talented beat smiths GNS and DuckyProd, it’s an unmistakably youthful bop, which will no doubt perk the ears of fans of the likes of Kid Laroi and Joji.

 

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Gemma Hayes, ‘Central Hotel’

With an undeniable gift for crafting indelible songs, there’s no doubting Gemma Hayes’ prowess as an Irish music heavyweight, and her brand-new album Blind Faith, her first LP in a decade, offers no such exception.

Track two, ‘Central Hotel’, is a fitting summation of Hayes’ unstoppable sonic potency. Starting off as a sparsely-appointed folk number, adorning the Tipperary singer’s smoky vocals, before introducing the soft growl of a drone and a fine-tuned rhythm section.

In an interview with the singer for the upcoming issue of Hot Press, Hayes told Lucy O’Toole that the song “ was an experiment. I was reading a book by Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, about songwriting. And he talks about this idea of writing exactly what happened. Don’t try to make it poetic – just write as it comes out.”

Burglar, ‘No Easy Way Out’

Alt-rock duo Burglar return with their latest offering since their widely-acclaimed single ‘Nobody Needs to Know You’re Desperate’. Released today, ‘No Easy Way Out’ sees the Dublin rockers continue this streak of magnetic, anthemic numbers.

The track opens with a showering of staccato riffage punctuated by the duo’s - Willow and Eduardo - gleaming harmonies. Its punk-laden soundscape, peppered with hints of shoegaze and macabre surf-rock, recalls the propulsive chops of Buzzcocks and Gang of Four. The lyrics explore the inevitable low self-esteem that takes hold in the fallout of a relationship, reflecting on notions of obsession and unspoken feelings, all conveyed with a wink of sarcastic pessimism.

Recorded in a home studio in rural Kildare, 'No Easy Way Out' marks the first taster from the duo's upcoming EP, set to drop in late November.

Nicolaas Walle, ‘Scorpio’

Sonic multi-hyphenate Nicolaas Walle has unveiled a new collaboration with Austrian singer Lisa Patscheider. ‘Scorpio’ is a unique offering, a seamless blend of macabre surf and 70s arena rock with hints of rhythmic Bossa Nova brushstrokes and prog-adjacent propulsions.

The track is the result of a unique collab between Walle and Patscheider who, despite never meeting in person, connected via Instagram and established a fruitful synergy. ‘Scorpio’ follows on from their previous single, ‘The Irony of Fate’, and was composed, performed and recorded entirely by Irish-Dutch songsmith, with the Austrian singer contributing her delicate vocals and penning most of the lyrics.

The uplifting soundscape is punctuated with sunny guitar spells, full-bodied vocals and a deftly-woven bassline, making ‘Scorpio’ the kind of song you never want to end.

Niall Thomas, ‘Best Of Intentions’

‘Best of Intentions’ is the first taster of Niall Thomas’ forthcoming album False Tide, which drops on 1 November. The scintillating track marks a departure from the previous lo-fi LP Night Sky Blue, pedalling a soundscape of plugged-in riffage and an infectious rhythm section, which features Karl Odlum on bass and Mick Cronin on drums.

The accompanying video was produced, directed and shot by filmmaker Garr Cleary, and features Vincent Patrick as a failing politician (or would-be salesman) having door after door slammed in his face until the kindness of one hospitable person makes his day. It’s emblematic of the adversities anyone faces while navigating through life, a symbol of the resilience of the human condition, how the small things make all the difference.

Ramper, ‘If You Want A Good Dream’

Donegal alt-folk bard Ramper finds joy in the menial and mundane on his lush new single. ‘If You Want A Good Dream’ is a crystalline showcase of the singer’s treacly vocals, offering an intricate complement to the melodic, gentle soundscape, until a spiralling whirl of cathartic guitar comes crashing down at the end like a tidal wave.

“The song is about reflecting on hard work or a tough stretch of life and sinking into the temporary pleasure that you’ve gotten through it, maybe even done a good job—the kind of accomplishment that society almost doesn’t recognise anymore,” he says of the song. “A hunt for beauty and balance.”

TeleZura, ‘pretty in black’

Derry-native, Dublin-based rockers TeleZura follow up their debut single ‘heartfelt summer’ with an emotionally-charged offering. ‘pretty in black’ sees the band stepping into adulthood, with the lyrics painting a vivid portrait of celebration but also introspection.

The pummelling track sculpts an evocative narrative set against the backdrop of a chaotic party scene where turmoil flows freely. Amidst the entropy lies romantic antics when a girl catches the singer’s eye. As the narrator reflects on the wild escapades of a night out, the lyrics juxtapose the chaos with the girl’s “stoic beauty”, while the propulsive instrumental pedal non-stop turbulence throughout the track.

 

Silverbacks, ‘Giving Away An Inch Of’

The third single hailing from Silverbacks’ upcoming record Easy Being A Winner, ‘Giving Away An Inch Of’ is a light-hearted, head-bopping indie rock tune of flickering guitar chords and bubbling harmonies. Fun and infectious without compromising on its quality, the track establishes Silverbacks as unstoppable forces in the Irish music scene.

Vocalist Kilian O’Kelly explains the themes behind the track: "This one is a love song and mostly about the balance of relationships. The main idea was that one of the lovers was going to be pleading for a little bit more compromise from their other half. I wanted to have lots of ties to nature too and I thinkNick Cave’s version of “nature boy” played a part there. Emma and I now have a garden in Drogheda, and with it has come a newfound interest in plants! Red hot pokers are probably one of our favourites. I always like it when human emotions are conveyed by the natural world. The delivery of red hot pokers coming out of the chorus is inspired by Elvis’s “Poke-Salad-Annie” performance in Vegas.

Affection to Rent, ‘If We Fall’

Grunge band Affection To Rent are sharing their new single ‘If We Fall’, a moody track of high-impact bass lines and haunting vocals. With its masterful use of heavy guitar chords on its chorus, juxtaposed with more minimalistic instrumentals on its verses, the song is a dark and hard-hitting offering, both nostalgic and completely singular.

Speaking about the single, Abbey Addenbroke-Sheriff shared: “I wrote it at 16 after hearing Nirvana’s Bleach for the first time. The arrangement draws upon the push and pull of an emotive narrator amidst a vast and violent landscape of crashing guitars. The experimental arrangement consists of warm washy nostalgic grunge with subtle gothic flavour in the melodies, commanding a distressed elegance and angst.”

Blue Slate, ‘Beaker’

Dublin-based shoegaze/alt-rock band Blue Slate new folk single ‘Beaker’ is about the negative effects of  feeling trapped in a relationship. The track starts with an explosive bang, followed by a thumping drumbeat and a percussive acoustic guitar riff. The lyrics follow the emotionally charged instrumentals, the chorus spouting “Get back up, drag me up, I’m on the ground.”

The tune was recorded in August of last year and is a fine demonstration of the band's genre-bending capability. Alongside UK tours, dates in France, the band will be performing in the Netherlands at the Left of the Dial festival later this year.

 

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Thewlis, ‘Jesus Guns Babies’

Irish band Thewlis seventh single ‘Jesus Guns Babies’ is lyrically inspired by the ridiculous political happenings of the United States.  A punkish banger, sounding both pop-punk and reminiscent of  old-school outfits such as Bad Religion and the Dead Kennedys, the track features a moshpit-inducing guitar riff . Perfect for a classic Punk two-step.

The track is particularly upbeat and hilarious, parodying a GOP candidate’s slogan “Jesus, Guns and Babies.” 

Blue Niall, ‘Le Cúnamh Na Déithe & In Shaa Allah’ feat. Talha Wise Wolf

Irish rapper Blue Niall has collaborated with Palestinian hip-hop artist Talha Wisewolf to release ‘Le Cúnamh Na Déithe & In Shaa Allah’.  Influenced by the collective message of solidarity and resistance between Ireland and Palestine, the verses speak against genocide and injustice and sparked a fundraiser for humanitarian causes. 

The song takes a mix of influences from Irish and Arabic, culminating in an electronic hip-hop track. The verses are particularly poignant, with Tallah Wisewoof bringing his personal experiences from Palestine in rap form. 

WineMom, ‘Roll Of Honour’

‘Roll Of Honour’, Dublin four-piece WineMom's highly anticipated third single is a brilliant, maximalist tune, reminiscent of their opening statement ‘Blood Moon’ in its production. With multi-tracked and buttery-smooth vocal lines from powerhouse Rosanna Harrington and carefully crafted guitar and bass riffs, the song feels like an emotional “wall of sound,” as the band explained in their interview with Hot Press for our September issue. ‘Roll Of Honour’ is an indie-rock masterclass layered with WineMom’s signature funkyness, a careful blend of pop, old-school rock and soul, putting the band forward as one of the most exciting and distinctive artists right now.

The Murder Capital, ‘Can’t Pretend To Know’

The Murder Capital have put out their first release of 2024, ‘Can’t Pretend To Know’. A fast-paced offering of razor-sharp riffs and anthemic vocal lines, the track perfectly synthesises what makes the band such a captivating offering

Speaking of the single, frontman James McGovern comments: : “[It]’s a whip of a tune that we made to feel like a hurricane of colour and breathlessness. A surreal look at childhood innocence and all its replacers,” he continues, “those delicate bridges we burn as we move through the strangeways of our youth. Moulded by everything we come into contact with. Learning lessons from toys. Playing the parts that are asked of us.”

The track was recorded in Los Angeles earlier this year with producer John Congelton in “an intense and fast paced session that prioritised urgency, energy and freshness.”

The Saw Doctors, ‘I Love To Go Awanderin’

The Saw Doctors have returned with their new sunny offering ‘I Love To Go Awanderin’, a warm rock-folk tune that’ll make summer last just a few weeks longer. With homey acoustic guitars, bright saxophone solos and Davy Carton’s rich and inviting vocal performance, the song evokes long road trips under the sunshine, perfectly accompanied by its music video – which was filmed in Connemara last week “on the most beautiful day of the year,” according to the band.

Porridge & Shanny, ‘Never Coming Down’

Electronic producer Porridge has teamed up with fellow X Collective member Shanny on the new energising drum & bass offering ‘Never Coming Down’. Made-up of rowdy bass lines, kinetic electronic sounds and atmospheric vocal lines, the track is a dark yet highly danceable tune.

“The song takes inspiration from the likes of Chase & Status & Skrillex with its hard hitting drums and growling bass,” Porridge explains. “‘Never Coming Down’ deals with themes of party culture and getting stuck in a constant loop of highs and lows, struggling with the realisation that we all have vices and behaviours that chase those two worlds.”

Queen Bitch, ‘Turn The Lights Down’

Róisín Bohan, aka Queen bitch, releases ‘Turn The Lights Down’, a punky rock track of unruly guitars and vocal lines sitting at the crossroads between spoken words and singing. With its fast-paced percussions and enthralling string solos, ‘Turn The Lights Down’ is a sulphurous, provocative banger of a track and marks the second release from the Cork-based artist.

Shark School, ‘Choose Life’

Galway garage rockers Shark School take the music scene by storm with their riotous new single ‘Choose Life’, a playful yet cathartic tune in which the band tell the listener: “Stop wasting away on your mind numbing shit.” Thanks to its head-banging percussion and aggressive guitars, the track is powerful, heavy-hitting and incredibly distinctive.

“‘Choose Life’ is a journey through the depths of space and time and into the realm of girl garage,” the band comments. “Designed to make you laugh, cry and go, ‘Hmmmm that was lovely,’ this song will have you nodding your head in approval so hard that you'll wake up with whiplash.”

Patrick stefan, ‘You Are’

A catchy, flowing tune of chiming guitar riffs and a rousing vocal performance,‘You Are’ marks the first release of 2024 for Patrick stefan. Thanks to the delicate power of its instrumentation and its whimsical production, ‘You Are’ is an incredibly unique and emotional folk track, incorporating gentle trad elements in its second half and making for an anthemic offering.

“You Are - is an affirmation to myself,” stefan says, “and to love. It’s about self-understanding through a partner in the midst of questioning my own place. Relationships are confusing - the song is a snapshot of a moment in thought that still makes sense when you zoom out.”

The Coronas, ‘Heart for Eyes’

The closer to their new album Thoughts & Observation, out today, The Coronas’ ‘Heart for Eyes’ and an incredibly moving piano ballad, a powerful love song lined with a thin layer of desperation. Cut in half by gentle strings and winds, the song is honey-sweet but still high-octane and heart-wrenching – an anthem for the hopeless romantic, making for the perfect closer to their thoughtful record.

Biig Piig, ‘4AM’

Both dance-inducing and crepuscular, Biig Piig’s ‘4AM’ is the dark synth pop that will shake up those first few autumnal months. Starting off with minimalistic, whispery verses, the instrumental drops on the chorus, offering a heavier, more riotous club tune, making for a profoundly distinctive sound from the Irish pop-powerhouse.

Moncrieff, ‘How It Ends’

Moncrieff’s new single ‘How It Ends’ is an emotional powerhouse of a track, showcasing the singer’s deeply stirring quality as a performer. Sorrowful and yet bursting with hope, the track is bright, intimate and incredibly rousing, building in intensity with every note until it reaches its climax on its exhilarating last chorus, leaving the listener impassioned and starry-eyed.

Crash Ensemble & Andrew Hamilton, ‘Friendly Piece’

Contemporary musical group Crash Ensemble collaborates with Dublin-born composer Andrew Hamilton for the distinctive and boundary-pushing ‘Friendly Piece’. Opening with a minimalistic spoken word performance, interjected with the occasional cello or piano note, the hour-long piece slowly builds up to include deeply moving and unique harmonies, creaking classical music pieces and strangely joyful arrangements.

Speaking about the piece, which was recorded live at Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of Crash Ensemble, says: “Friendly Piece is one of the happiest soul nourishing pieces we have played. It’s been a pleasure watching Andrew’s ideas unfold through workshopping in the early stages of the piece and then coming to life in front of audiences at New Music Dublin & Kilkenny Arts Festival. Friendly Piece is the result of Andrew’s fruitful residency with Crash. He is a brilliant human and it has been a joy to work with him during his residency.”

Emma Langford, ‘Boys Will Be Boys (Fuck That)’

An riotous and angry pop track, Emma Langford’s, ‘Boys Will Be Boys (Fuck That)’ is incredibly catchy and hard-hitting 90-seconds tune with a powerful feminist underlining. Separating from her folk influences to dabble in heavier soundscapes, Langford offers us her most gut-punching sound yet, making a point to give “attitude to male violence,” as the artist commented on Instagram.

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