ROC, ‘Change Ya Mind’

A sticky trip-hop beat, busy dub bass and an infectious vocal hook lay the foundations for Dublin Hip-Hop artist ROC to open up an important mental health conversation on 'Change Ya Mind'.

“I wrote this one after reading an article about how suicide (particularly in young men) has now out passed the number of road deaths in Ireland per year,” said Roc on Instagram. “That was a hard one to believe, I know people have mental health issues, myself being one of them but i had no idea it had risen so high.

“The government told us that they have invested €1.3Bn in mental health services, where has that money gone? How are those numbers so high!? The conversation around suicide has some how slowed down.”

 

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Peer Pleasure, ‘The Real Thing’

Fat, fuzzy bass and tongue-in-cheek lyricism make up the bulk of this exciting live, Iggy Pop-influenced number from Enniscorthy feather rufflers Peer Pleasure. “Dragging Garage rock to new lows”, the Enniscorthy noisemakers have had a seriously productive last couple of years, playing 80+ shows across 2023 and 2024. With al vivo rompers like ‘The Real Thing’ in their arsenal, it’s easy to see why they’ve been drawing in headbangers by their hundreds. With a debut LP lined up for next year, the group also have an exciting headliner at Dublin’s Grand Social to contend with on October 24.

Orla Gartland, ‘Backseat Driver’

It’s new album day for Irish indie pop supremo Orla Gartland, whose sophomore project Everybody Needs A Hero earned itself the honour of being named Hot Press’ October album of the month. For good reason too – with ‘Backseat Driver’ flaunting the artist’s ability to seamlessly mesh funky basslines, sharp lyrics detailing frustration in a relationship and big sounding choruses.

“A lot of the album has the essence of celebrating loudness”, Gartland told Hot Press in our latest issue. “Taking up space, being loud and unashamedly present is a struggle. I think a lot about whether that’s a woman thing or an Irish thing.”

Odd Numbers, ‘Rom-Com’ feat. De Carteret

The last single from his upcoming Colours Ep, Cavan producer Odd Numbers puts his signature blend of hip-hop, r&b, neo-soul, and kazz  in this fresh-as-heck collab with sweet-sounding Clare singer De Carteret. The tune opens with gentle, bossa-nova electric guitar, before jumping into a beefy, old-school, Lauryn Hill-evoking rap beat.

“This track has been slow-cooking for the best part of two years,” Odd Numbers said on Instagram. “I've been so wrapped up in building the label and juggling the different aspects of music business that I almost forgot what it felt like to just create.

“Revisiting it after so long has reignited my passion for the craft and reminded me why I love it so much in the first place.”

 

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Wood Burning Savages, ‘Grind Your Teeth’

Derry quartet The Wood Burning Savages have announced the release of their upcoming studio album Hand to Mouth (out February 7, 2025) with assertive, loud and guitar-driven lead single ‘Grind Your Teeth’.

“The past few years have been a pressure cooker for all of us and I think our own pent up frustration comes across in the album,” said the band. The single comes off the heels of vocalist Paul Connolly opening up to fans about a life changing illness which took hold during a tour last year.

“Just as the band returned to releasing music and playing shows, my body began to break down,” said. “I could only ignore the signs for so long. It was incredibly scary, for months doctors struggled to treat me as they couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. I continued to lose a huge amount of weight and at one stage I struggled to get out of bed for weeks. It was the lowest moment of my life.”

Gavin Friday, ‘Stations of The Cross’

The second single off revered Irish music veteran Gavin Friday’s upcoming album Ecce Homo, ‘Stations Of The Cross’ leans into gothic, ballad territory, ornated with industrial rhythms, horns, and dramatic synth work. On the lyrical front, the tormented love song details a faltering, seemingly never-edning  relationship. The musician said on his website that the track is dedicated to the late great, Sinead O’Connor, who was a friend of Friday.

"Hurt comes from every side here, in every possible shape, but the real core of the album is a reaction rooted in hope, in seeing the struggles of the past and the possibilities of the future through the same unified gaze," Friday says of his new album. "It is a stirring testament to finding comfort and strength wherever we can, to enduring in whatever way we must."

Eve Clague, ‘City Lights’

Clonakilty singer-songwriter Eve Clague makes a strong claim to being Cork’s answer to Nick Drake, with her latest folky tune ‘City Lights’. Featuring mesmerising fingerpicking, and reflective, explorative lyrics – the song is taken from her imminent debut album Caught in Words, out November 1.

"It’s a criticism of myself and my emotions,” Eve says of the work, which she initially titled Caught in Words due to her struggles with dyslexia. “I’m glad I settled on Caught in Words,” she explains, “especially when the album designer, Megan Clancy, pointed out that ‘In Words’ could also be a play on ‘Inwards.’”

Dubzeno, ‘On My Ones’, feat Sick Bullet

Somewhat of a stalwart on the local rap scene for quite a while, capital city bar spitter Dubzeno's has finally landed his debut full-length project National Treasure. After personal struggles, including criminal convictions, the record is very much a celebration of the rapper’s phenomenal comeback story – as echoed in the delicious hook delivered by Sick Bullet on ‘On My Ones.’

“This is it from everyone who’s been a part of the journey for good or bad it’s time to drop a something for Irish rap I know everyone has been waiting for !!” said Dubzeno on Instagram last month. “Shout out everyone who’s apart of it and involved, from going back to jail to out on bail and everything in between! This is for all my supporters who’s been rocking with me from the jump ! This is my debut project!”

 

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JC Stewart, ‘Can’t Stop’

Derry songsmith extraordinaire JC Stewart went through somewhat of an artistic renaissance in 2024 :“I wanted to look at my life and be proud. Either I do this my way or not at all”, he told Hot Press back in July. Deeply romantic, crooning and catchy, ‘Can’t Stop’ is a continuation of his newfound sonic confidence the Magherafelt man has found since going independent.

“I love this song with my whole being,” Stewart said ahead of the track’s release this week. "I got to make it with one of my favourite musical collaborators Mark Schick one sunny day in LA and I knew from the second the idea came up that this was an important one for me. It’s a song about loving someone unconditionally no matter what.”

 

Taylor D, ‘Lost to London’

"This is my Love song to London, " says fast rising youngster Taylor D of her latest radio-destined tune. With a voice so powerful and matured, you might be surprised to find that the young signer only completed her Leaving cert in June. Her ode to the English capital is driving and wistful, with a guitar-based backbone which evokes Avril Lavigne in her heyday.

A formidable live performer to boot, as made evident in her Y&E series set last year, Taylor D also announced this week that she'll be opening for  Micah at her EP Launch in Whelans on October 26.

 

The Devlins ‘Show Me Tomorrow’

Critically-acclaimed ‘90s rock heroes The Devlins close their latest, long-overdue album All The Days with the hugely atmospheric ‘Show Me Tomorrow’. The spacey track captures the balance of living in the present while taking care of yourself and honouring the legacy of those who came before and those yet to come.

"After losing both our parents in recent years and confronting our own mortality, it makes you wonder, ‘How much time do I have left?’”, said said band member Colin Devlin.  “The song carries a sense of defiance, evoking the spirit of Dylan Thomas’ call to ‘rage against the dying of the light.”

Kevin Twomey, ‘Roundabout’

Recorded in a tiny French apartment, ‘Roundabout’, taken from folk-rock Dublin musician Kevin Twomey’s EP Bloom Room, is a stellar example of what can emerge from a small set-up and big ideas. Featuring Guillaume Amoureux as a producer and composer, ‘Roundabout’ offers an introspective plea to oneself to stay strong, with a soft acoustic guitar riff gently contributing to the tune’s fresh and engaging melody. Kevin’s Introspective lyrics complement the growing momentum as the track plays.

modernlove, ‘Can’t Stop Dancing’

Taken from the indie-pop-rockers fourth EP dropping November 8, ‘Can’t Stop Dancing’ is a track with an infectious melody which begs to be danced to, weaved together with subtly melancholic lyrics. 

The band said: “Can’t stop dancing is about going out too much and becoming dependent on substances to socialise and feeling like you need them to keep going. When you know you’re slowly running yourself into the ground but you just can’t stop it. This narrative is sonically juxtaposed with an upbeat dance pop composition which highlights how in the moment, this state of dependency isn’t clear and only after the fact, in the sober light of day, does it become evident when you can’t function or feel like a person”.

Modernlove make an important social commentary on the current going-out culture, while keeping the listener engrossed with the single’s addictive tune.

Damien Dempsey, ‘Hold Your Joy’

Call off the seasonal Autumn despair folks because Damo is back with a new song to bring that sun-drunk joy back into your life.

‘Hold Your Joy’ launches the announcement of his first album - titularly-titled - of new music since 2017’s SOULSUN. The lead single boasts everything that makes Damien Dempsey such an evergreen artist: a rhythm section that pounds against the rib-cage and a shimmering background of guitar which accentuate the singer’s uncompromising vocals and lyricism.

“‘Hold your Joy’ came from a great book I read that really lifted me when I was down in the dumps, The Book of Joy by Douglas Abram’s,” Dempsey says of the new album. “He got two wise men together to talk about the importance of trying to stay grateful and joyful. These two men had lived through wars and oppression in their native lands , exile and apartheid, but maintained that you can do far more good for the world and those around you and yourself - if you try and stay grateful and joyful through it all. The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu were the two wise men, everyone on earth needs to read this book, or hear it."

RÓIS, ‘CITÍ’

RÓIS has placed herself in a prime position with the release of her truly incomparable new EP MO LÉAN. Track 3 ‘CITÍ’ is a fitting summation of just how earthly, yet unearthly the Co. Fermanagh songsmith is.

The track’s vocals draw inspiration from the keening tradition, a pre-Christian practice where women would ‘keen’ a lamenting wail at the side of a coffin during a wake. ‘CITÍ’ begets a modern reworking of this communal expression of grief.

RÓIS’ artistry sees the old enmeshed with the new, leading listeners into a realm of mysticism and creating a space for introspection. Think Rachael Lavelle meets Lankum meets The Morrígan. But even then, it’s not a complete encapsulation. RÓIS is carving out a niche of her own.

Maria Somerville, ‘Projections’

The enigmatic songsmith Maria Somerville is back with her first single in three years, ‘Projections’. The starry-eyed shoegaze track is saturated with longing, delivered through a fuzzed-out rhythm section and crystalline guitar. At the heart of ‘Projections’, however, is Somerville’s trance-inducing vocal stylings, which breathe an otherworldly air into the soundscape.

With more music on the way, this new single offers a delectable taste of the singer’s newfound artistry, marking a swirling progression from her self-released debut LP All My People.

Big Sleep, ‘Pianoland’

The brand-new EP, Stay Put Sunshine, from Dublin up-and-comers Big Sleep features a slew of dazzlers packed with garage rock and alternative sensibilities.

The supernova single ‘Pianoland’ is a surefire rock anthem that blends scream-worthy hooks and intricately-woven elements, such as
sun-kissed riffs and a loose-jointed rhythm section.

Blending alt influences with rock, pop and indie-soul, the Irish-Italian outfit take notes from such influences as The Cure, Pixies and J.J. Cale. But, at their core, Big Sleep have created something entirely their own, a resplendent and scintillating ode to their journey as a band on the up and up.

The New Leaves, 'Giant Murphy Favour’

The latest track from Co. Down folksters The New Leaves offers a heart-warming homage to a local legend.

‘Giant Murphy Favour’ marks the third single from the band’s recent album A Sketch of Home. The atmospheric number creates a lush blend of the band’s three-part harmonies, pedalled by a delicate folk soundscape.

“‘Giant Murphy Favour’ is an ode,” guitarist Decky McKay says of the track. “It’s an ode to a wonderful old lady who looked after my sister and I after school when we were children, during the summer holidays while my mother and father were working. She used the expression “A Giant Murphy Favour” when asking us to do odd jobs around the house or errands around the town of Warrenpoint where we were brought up.

“Giant Murphy was a legendary figure from a town near us. His real name was Patrick Murphy and was said to be one of the tallest men on earth at one point in the mid 1800’s. The song is a celebration of the little quirks that make living in Ireland unique, strange and heartwarming.”

Bricknasty, ‘vinland’

Bricknasty continue to build their reputation as one of the hottest outfits in Ireland with their latest mixtape XONGZ አስቀያሚ ጡብ. ‘vinland’ offers a dazzling summation of just how powerful the Ballymun heavyweights are.

Freewheeling and funkadelic, the track tenders an elastic groove of psychedelic and soulful textures. Sticky basslines and off-kilter drums spotlight Fatboy’s dexterous vocal reflections - namely the shout-along hook “everytime I touch it, it breaks”.

It’s Bricknasty at their most lawless, and indeed their most liberated.

Fionn Marum, ‘Fire And The Fly’

Fionn Marum follows up his enthralling singles, ‘Bring It All Back Home’ and the double A-side ‘’(You’ll Know You’ve) Let The Right One In’ / ‘So Many Ways’’, with a new torch song to soundtrack your Autumn playlist.

‘Fire And The Fly’ is a quietly optimistic number about love, loss and the fantasy that exists in relationships. Penned by Marum and Harry McNevin - bassist for Fionn Marum & The Francis Street Wranglers - the track is a belter that recalls the dramatic love affairs that star in The Smith’s ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’ or The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’, while maintaining Marum’s singular rock soundscapes.

Hannah Horan, ‘Flight Risk’

Following her dynamic debut single ‘Holy One’ released on July 8, ‘Flight Risk’ is the latest song from Dublin-based singer-songwriter Hannah Horan. It is a shining example of her honest, powerful lyricism and singing, with dulcet tones and a melodic guitar riff that captivate the listener. An empowering anthem in which Horan’s personality is reflected, not too dissimilar to artists such as Dodie and Phoebe Bridgers.

Villagers, ‘Mountain Out Of A Molehill’

Coming off the heels of Villagers’ widely acclaimed album That Golden Hill, Conor O’Brien shares the brand new single ‘Mountain out of a Molehill,’ a track that the singer describes as “kind of a psychodrama; a song to quell that relentless attention-seeker within. It’s just some self-administered advice to me and my undulating ego.” The tune’s cinematic instrumentation, paired with O'Connor's sweet-toned vocal performance and glistening keys, makes for a gentle and catchy piece that fits right at home with the rest of the band’s catalogue.

LYRA, ‘The Ending’

Irish pop-princess Lyra returns with the compelling track ‘The Ending’ following the success of her self-titled debut album earlier this year. It marks a form of closure, the end of an era for the musician, raw and emotional while still showcasing Lyra’s powerful quality as a performer, delivering high energy voltage throughout the whole track.

“It’s a power anthem,” Lyra comments, “[...] a very true and raw biography about the ending of my relationship and the day I realised it wasn’t my fault and I was done blaming myself”.

Ria Timkin, ‘The Difference’

Belfast based alt-pop artist Ria Timkin unveils her latest offering ‘The Difference’, an infectious tune of energetic beats, captivating harmonies and uplifting synths. The track celebrates the power of taking the first step through heartfelt lyrics and hopeful soundscapes, and is co-produced with Tom Wilding, known for his work with Melanie C and Gabrielle Aplin.

Virgins, ‘g l i s s’

Equally powerful as it is ethereal, the previously unreleased track ‘g l i s s’ is the first song that Virgins wrote after their first EP and before their acclaimed album nothing hurt and everything was beautiful, acting as “as the bridge between what came before and what would then turn into the album,” the band says. With their signature gargantuan soundscapes, euphoria-filled guitar lines and atmospheric vocals, the track is as intense and it is hazy.

Wasps vs Humans, ‘Rising Water’

Folk punk band Wasps vs Humans are back with their latest offering ‘Rising Water’, the focus track from their album Scratchcard Empires, which is out today. A dark and compelling track of glistening harmonies, high-octane instrumentation and punk poetry, accompanied by repetitive, fervent guitar chords, reminiscent of a mantra, the single reflects the raw energy that is so typical of the band’s sound.

Altara, ‘It’s Hitting You, Isn’t It’

The follow-up to Altara’s debut single ‘Somebody To Lose’, ‘It’s Hitting You, Isn’t it’ is a dynamic and liquid-smooth offering from the Irish-born newcomer. The bilingual track is an emotional powerhouse, capturing the warmth and uncertainty of “losing your head” while staying wonderfully summery.

“I started writing at the airport for some reason,” the musician comments. “I just had the idea & sang it into my phone like a crazy person… I went through a lot of different emotional stages. I think that’s why it changes so much. Started as an idea to do a love letter, then I wanted to sing in Spanish, then I wanted to have a ‘drop’ section.”

Bantum, ‘Carousel’

Cork City-based producer Ruairi Lynch, aka Bantum, shares his new single ‘Carousel’, the second to last track of his new self-titled album, which is out now. Incredibly catchy and head-bopping, the track showcases the musician’s wide array of influences, ranging from funky beats, electronic melodies and boundary pushing guitar riffs.

Speaking about the new release, Bantum expressed his excitement, stating, “Having consistently released music every year since I began producing, I really was not expecting to have an album's worth of material for this year. I made a conscious decision to return to where I started in terms of instrumental music, and once I set myself the challenge everything came together naturally.”

Róisín O, ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves’

Irish singer-songwriter Róisín O embraces her folk roots on the soulful rendition of the track ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves’. The formidable tune showcases the musician’s honey-rich vocals, blending traditional folk elements with a fresh, modern sound, using flutes, banjo, and violins, into a unique soundscape that still stays true to the song’s essence.

"Folk music has always been a part of my life,” Róisín O reflects. “This last winter, I found myself writing on my own for the first time in a long time. When I wasn't thinking about what the songs needed to be, or should be, folk-style songs started to pour out of me—songs that told stories and helped me heal. The time seems right to move further into the genre that has always been closest to my heart."

Maverick Sabre, ‘Lay Down On Me’

Maverick Sabre returns with his new single ‘Lay Down On Me’, released ahead of his record Burn The Right Thing Down. Incredibly soulful and bluesy, the track is an absolute dreamscape of powerful harmonies, funk-filled bass lines and choruses that are as romantic as they are liberating and vivid, showcasing Sabre’s smooth and vigorous vocal abilities.

MICAH, ‘LIFETIME’

Irish singer/songwriter MICAH's single ‘LIFETIME’ is an emotive journey through themes of love, devotion, and the fleeting nature of time. Via soulful vocals and a captivating blend of pop and R&B elements, the track showcases the singer's smooth delivery and heartfelt storytelling, combining lush production and introspective lyrics to create an intimate and reflective atmosphere.

Empty Spaces, ‘Do You Wanna Be The One’

Belfast-based band Empty Spaces have revealed their new single ‘Do You Wanna Be The One’. The pop-punk-sounding track combines upbeat indie-rock melodies with heartfelt lyrics, exploring longing, love, and uncertainty themes. With driving guitars, catchy hooks, and anthemic energy.

'Do You Wanna Be The One' captures the excitement of seeking connection and the uncertainty of vulnerability. Empty Spaces’ distinctive sound blends nostalgia with modern rock influences, making the song a captivating listen. The track is sure to resonate with fans of emotional yet energetic indie rock anthems.

Twisty, ‘The Wolves Are Coming’

Nenagh-based music veteran career Martin Twisty O'Brien marks a new musical era with his debut solo single. A deeply honest, well-produced slice of acoustic rock, ‘The Wolves Are Coming’ is said to have been penned during lockdown, with Twisty’s soaring vocals providing a clear statement about the fear of losing control and the looming presence of uncertainty.

Dora Gola & JaYne , ‘Glór na Bogini'

Dora Gola and JaYne fuse Polish and Irish on collaborative bilingual single, “Glór na Bogini.” Te title translates to "Voice of the Goddess," blending "Glór" (Irish for "voice") and "Bogini" (Polish for "goddess").  Thematically, the delves into ancient feminine wisdom by showcasing Polish goddess Mokosh and Celtic goddess Danu, representing women's work, destiny, and fertility. The song reflects a connection between cultures, taking listeners on a mystical journey through ancient traditions and the empowering voices of women.

 

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Amble, ‘The Commons’

Irish folk three-piece Amble return with a heart-rending song that explores heartbreak, grief and suicide.

‘The Commons’ was written on a train journey from Dublin to Longford, where a letter was left on the table of an empty carriage that read “No Date, No Name”. The letter told the heart-rending story of a mother who lost her 14-year-old son to suicide.

To explore such a difficult topic is an inherently painful undertaking, but letter serves to highlight the friends, students and family members whose lives have been unfathomably impacted by suicide, with the title of the track emphasising the unfortunate familiarity of the subject matter at hand.

JustG, ‘We Belong Together’

JustG has unveiled a brand-new house anthem to add to your next gaffer playlist. The infectious ‘We Belong Together’ features a swirl of bright pianos, deep basslines and heartfelt lyrics.

The song marks another collaboration between JustG and Glasscat, with whom he created his breakout single ‘Anywhere’. With ‘We Belong Together’, JustG suffuses emotionally-charged lyrics with an irresistible dance backbeat, creating a soundscape that is both enlivening and deeply resonant.

Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies, ‘Not Enough Women’ ft. Andrea Mocanu

The latest single from Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies’ upcoming album Keep On Raving In The First World is head-spinning banger.

‘Not Enough Women’ is an incredibly topical song about the current state of women in the music industry. With its no-holds-barred punk soundscape, the TechnoHippies lay a fitting groundwork for the topic at hand. The track is accompanied by Andrea Mocanu’s (of Small Church fame) supernova vocals.

Awesimon, ‘Waiting For You’

Continuing on from his previous release, ‘Finer Things’, which takes more of an afrobeat bent, Awesimon delivers yet another heartfelt classic, further solidifying his case as a unique emerging voice in the Irish music scene.

‘Waiting For You’ kicks off with an immediately enthralling soundscape before introducing the artist's evocative vocals. The track explores the fallout of a one-sided relationship, the heartbreak that ensues, dealing with the reality of pain with unrequited feelings.

Niamh Bury, Geordie’

Irish folk siren Niamh Bury follows up her resplendent debut album Yellow Roses with a new offering of acoustic romance.

‘Geordie’ showcases Bury’s unique take on a song rooted in tradition, which has become a favourite at her live shows. The song follows the story of a woman whose husband steals deer from the king’s land in order to feed his family and is subsequently sentenced to death. The woman seeks an audience with the king and says she’ll fight him to save Geordie’s life.

"It's a great example of a traditional song with a resilient female character who has grit and agency and there are so many reasons why it still resonates with people today," Bury says of ‘Geordie’.

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