Erika Severyns, ‘I’ll Miss The Sea’

Erika Severyns has today released her debut album Places We Stay, produced by Gareth Quinn Redmond (Ye Vagabonds, Glen Hansard) and recorded by Albert Karch in Warsaw.

The last track, ‘I’ll Miss the Sea’, is a wondrous reflection on longing for home as the singer takes listeners through the Dun Laoghaire seaside. It shimmers and beams as only a good story should, with such lyrics as “I’m used to weaving dreams out of big nothings” revealing hypnotic turns of major-chord resolutions that recall the likes of Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny. An incredible way to close a superb debut album.

Erika Severyns

Luke Howard, ‘Counting Rain’

On a track as atmospheric as they come, ‘Counting Rain’ is the gorgeous new offering from Dublin singer-songwriter Luke Howard.

Teeming with beautiful string flourishes, crooning falsettos and sparsely-appointed keys, the song sees Howard recounting “memories and faded dreams” as he wonders “what it’s all about”, affirming to himself that: “All I know for certain is everybody’s certain, and nobody can make it on their own”.

 

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Screaming Orphans, ‘Sell Me Something’

Screaming Orphans are back this week with their second Christmas album Happy Christmas Volume 2.

Hoping to put a bit of Christmas cheer into your Friday, ‘Sell Me Something’ boasts an undeniably foot-tapping beat, as the singers traverse the shops on Christmas Eve, hoping to pick the last of their gifts.

Screaming Orphans, an all-sister folk-pop band from Donegal, have been a consistent and powerful female presence in music creation and performance over the last two decades in Ireland and the U.S.

Screaming Orphans. Credit: Emma Harney

Peter Richardson, ‘Told Me Twice’

Following on from his latest single ‘Better Alone’, Dublin singer-songwriter Peter Richardson returns with a resplendently catchy track about newfound romance.

Recorded in Drogheda Jejune Studios, ‘Told Me Twice’ is the latest in a series of new tunes that Richardson has been working on with producer Daniel DeBurca.

A heart-rending exploration of love and hope, this song marks an ambitious shift in tone, highlighting a more impassioned and optimistic turn of phrase.

Peter Richardson. Photo Credit: Matt Gorman

Seán Joyce, ‘Clouded’

Seán Joyce continues to build an impressive repertoire with his brand-new single ‘Clouded’.

Boasting a familiar piano ballad intro, the track swiftly transitions into a Chameleon-esque vocoder hook and drum-beaten coda. Heart-rending and pummelling, ‘Clouded’ is both acid and alkali, like it could fizz up and break apart in your hands.

Produced by Cormac Butler, Joyce enlisted a cohort of songwriters and composers to bring the pulverising track to life, including Joyce himself, Butler, Alex Beitzke, Ryan Whelan.

Seán Joyce, Credit: Ruadhán Butler

Pat Lagoon x F3miii, ‘REPLY’

Waterford rapper Pat Lagoon joins forces with Dublin-based alternative R&B artist F3miii on the laid-back 'REPLY'. The smooth, jazzed-up piano chords permeating throughout emit a chilled, Reggie Snow-like energy, with F3miii’s effortlessly catchy vocal setting the tone.

“I dive into the theme of relationships but specifically communication,” said Lagoon. "I started writing this record in November last year when a friend of mine was going through a rough time and was having trouble navigating the situation. The lyrics are based on the advice I was giving at the time. I believe the track is very fitting for the Autumn/Winter.”

Adrian Crowley, ‘Measure of Joy’

Malta-born, Galway-raised and Dublin-based artist Adrian Crowley announces album number ten Measure of Joy with the record’s hypnotic Cohen-esuqe title track - where the experience musicians textured musings sit over a dreamy mix of lo-fi guitars and feint, warbling synths.

"I wrote this song one morning right after waking up, in one single spontaneous outpouring. I found myself in a state of delirious elation; a kind of haywire euphoria that I just let carry me along, where everything near and far, inside and out, seemed to join in on my unhinged dance. The birds, the bugs, the flies, the wasps, the buildings, all stopped what they had been doing to take part in this unrehearsed choreography. And I laughed and laughed, long after the song was over. "

Adrian Crowley by Mathieu Zazzo.

Melina Malone, ‘If I Have to Change’

Seriously talented Greco-Irish neo-soulster Melina Malone puts her soaring vocals and typically lush production to good use on ‘If I Have to Change’, which paints the picture of a toxic, demanding and lopsided relationship.

“Although I sing this through the eyes of a relationship, I think it’s about how I feel about the music industry,” Malone wrote on Instagram. “There are so many rules. As artists we’re constantly being told what to do, what not to do, what genres we should focus on, what fucking day of the week to release music. Who to be! If that is who they want me to be, maybe I don’t want it after all

“I wrote this for Amy, cos if she was still here I don’t think she would give a shit about any of this.”

Melina Malone / Photo Credit: Ana Lucia Mondoloni

Annie-Dog, 'The Feeling in My Fignertips'

It’s another layered, synthy and ethereal bit of electro-pop from promising Dublin-based artist Annie-Dog, who delves into elements of garage with a dance-inducing breakbeat on this refreshingly experimental number.

The single is the latest from Annie-Dog’s second EP 15. Set to arrive in February 2025, the project was announced in October with the glitzy, upbeat ‘Little Italy’.

 

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Paro Pablo and Vanessa, ‘Always Be Mine’

A glittery guitar line and Vanessa’s radio-ready vocals open up Finglas rapper Paro Pablo’s first track in over twelve months. With the backing of a Belters Only-evoking, garage-infused beat, Pablo's bars are romantic, detailing how love and support from a significant other has helped fire his artistic journey.

 

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Olivia Emade, ‘You Said’

Dublin-born independent Christian artist Olivia Emade has released a new single, ‘You Said’. Featuring stunning, sparkling vocals, the track is an upbeat melodic tune with a groovy bassline and punchy drums.

Speaking about the single, Olivia said: “This song showcases God’s promises based on scripture and how He can never change and never fail us. It’s a reminder that if we lean on Jesus and continue to have faith in Him, we will be under the wing of God’s protection and safety”.

Bless, ‘Tears’

Bless have released their new single ‘Tears’, propelling the urban Irish hip-hop scene forward. Depicting the tears following the end of a relationship, the rap track features samples of a woman talking, combined with a steady rap flow.

On the single, Bless said: "To be honest I made this song for a girl I was messing with in the past, she knows who she is... but yea for anyone who connects with the idea of you know, not being the "best guy"? This the one for you...".

Obskür, ‘Falling Back’

Dublin DJ duo Obskür have released their single ‘Falling Back’, from their two-track new EP of the same name. Having played an outstanding closing set at Longitude this year, Lorcan McCarthy and Faustas Astrauskas are only continuing to grow. For lovers of raves and house music alike, the duo’s new single showcases their masterful ability to create epic techno music.

Mia Black, ‘Take It All’. 

The latest single from New Local Hero finalist Mia Black is a is a heartfelt piano ballad. Featuring her trademark block chord accompaniment, joined by layers of rising and falling string passages. ‘Take it All’ follows the release of Mia’s first original single ‘Its Just a Habit’ at the beginning of this month. The track marks the third single from the 17 year old singer's upcoming album Map to My Heart. The Monaghan singer boasts over 100,000 subscribers on Youtube, finding her fanbase both online and from busking in Galway city. 

Her debut album Map to My Heart is set to be released very soon.

Naimee Coleman, 'Once that Girl’ 

Dublin singer-songwriter Naimee Coleman has released her reflective new track ‘Once that Girl’. The single is taken from her latest album The Edges. Coleman sings of the passage of time, thinking back to different versions of herself. With broken chordal piano accompaniment and glistening strings, the track has a wintery feel, ideal for the season. 

Colemans career spans two decades, boasting collaborations with artists such as Ian Stanley of Tears for Fears and supporting artists such as David Gray and Van Morrison. 

Commenting on “Once That Girl,” Naimee describes the song as “a warm, wintery song, full of memories and questions. It’s a song about the passing of time and how moments we live end up being memories. I loved singing with the strings and piano.” 

Naimee Coleman credit - Tara Keane

The Ocelots, ‘The Good of a Bad Year’

The second single to be released from The Ocelots’ forthcoming album, ‘The Good of a Bad Year’ is a piano-driven tune, portraying how the smaller moments of joy can often be overlooked when recalling an uneventful year, in an ambitious blend of folk and indie rock.

“The song for me encompasses the sentiment of the rest of the album, it was a huge communal effort making what was written in a more dreary, lonesome headspace into something hopeful and joyous,” The Ocelots’ Ashley Watson said. “We collaborated with our close friends Cillian & Lorcan Byrne, Conor Cunningham & Jessie Monk, who all lent a hand in turning my introspective dilemmas into a bittersweet drunken choir. Also we were delighted we got to work with Santiago Moyao who brought so much creativity to the project.”

The Ocelots. Credit: Paul Tobin

Video Blue, ‘Ceremony’

Video Blue, the musical project of Dundalk’s Jim O’Donoghue Martin, releases his new single ‘Ceremony’, a rendition of the classic New Order track, mixing ambient electronica and intricate guitar sounds into a cover that is both true to the original and uniquely captivating.

Commenting on ‘Ceremony’, O’Donoghue Martin says:

“After 12 years living in London, I moved home to Ireland in April of this year. In between recording sessions for the next Video Blue record, I decided I wanted the final recording in my home-studio to be ‘Ceremony’; one of my favourite songs ever. I've played it on and off live since 2017, typically right at the end of a set. This version has beats and synth tracks that I created especially for performing it live, so it stretches back through the lo-fi DNA of the Video Blue project. I first recall hearing this aged 18 at a house party in Limerick whilst at college, where an enduring obsession with Joy Division/New Order began, resulting in me writing my thesis on Factory Records. It's a hugely influential song for me, and I’m delighted to share my spin on it.”

Video Blue. Photo credit: Michelle Nguyen

J Ryan, ‘Always Been You’

Dublin based singer songwriter J Ryan returns with the dream of a Christmas love song ‘Always Been You’, a heartfelt acoustic guitar ballad with rich wind textures and transporting vocal lines, making for a warm and gentle track that will perfectly accompany these cold December weeks.

J Ryan says ‘’This song has a certain feel of Christmas, someone traveling to see their loved one, but it’s deeper than that, the individual traveling to meet his love has Alzheimer’s, it’s a heartfelt story with an air of hope, because you realize (near the end of the song) that the main individual is happy, because he has what he needs in life, everyday and every night he’s with the person he loves.’’

James Vincent McMorrow, ‘Rent California’

A sunny and soft track of smooth vocal lines and glistening acoustic guitars, James Vincent McMorrow’s new track ‘Rent California’ is the bright ballad that will warm your winter right up. Both tender and catchy, the tune offers a surprisingly Americana-esque flavour to this end of the year, showcasing McMorrow’s distinct folky sound and the richness of his performance.

James Vincent McMorrow at All Together Now 2024. Copyright Trevor McGrath.

Dan McCabe, ‘Pieces (Love or War)’

Dan McCabe has released his new single 'Pieces (Love or War)', a song about the emotional tug-of-war that defines human relationships. Known for his emotive performances and his respect for Ireland’s folk heritage, McCabe has crafted a track that explores themes of conflict, unity, and loves with lyrical depth--“Is this love or is this war, the pieces don’t fit anymore”

The tune, which follows the successful release of his previous album, Songs for Ireland (The Lockdown Laments), captures McCabe's signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and contemporary resonance, each note carrying the weight of his emotional journey. His work has garnered acclaim for introducing a younger audience to the power of Irish folk music, particularly through his viral pandemic-era performances on social media.

McCabe is set to perform across Ireland in 2024, including dates at iconic venues such as Vicar Street in Dublin and the INEC in Killarney.

Dan McCabe (Photo danmccabe-music.com).

Blue Fish Diamond, ‘I Don’t Know’

Dublin-based indie folk-rock band Blue Fish Diamond returns with I Don’t Know, a vibrant exploration of the band's pop-punk energy. The upbeat track channels themes of uncertainty and introspection, showcasing the group’s ability to blend meaningful lyrics with infectious rhythms.

Described by Hot Press as "a supergroup for those in the know," Blue Fish Diamond has achieved recognition for their emotive sound, drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as R.E.M., Tom Petty, and Paul Simon. With Jim Murphy fronting, the band includes Laura Ryder, Axel McDonald, Matilda O'Mahony, Ronan Quinn, and Shay Sweeney. Their music has resonated across Irish audiences with notable performances from the band including  venues such as Whelan’s and festival appearances at Electric Picnic.

This single represents a continued evolution of their musical direction, building upon the success of their prior album, Frozen Stars on the Night.

Blue Fish Diamond. Photo: Press

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