Róisín O, ‘Winter With You’

One of Ireland’s most celebrated songstresses, Róisín O‘s latest tune is a raw, romantic and seasonal number. The uplifting piano ballad is set against the backdrop of a cold Irish winter, exploring the healing power of love and its ability to endure, even in hard times.

“This song is about finding my voice again and the beautiful power someone you love can have in lifting you out of a dark place," the singer says. "When you take off the Christmas sequence and wash away the mask you wear for others, it’s the person who picks up the pieces that matters the most—the person who can heal your heart even in the darkest days of winter.”

Thin Lizzy, ‘Slow Blues E.B. (Acoustic Version)’

Fresh off their upcoming record The Acoustic Sessions - a unique, stripped-back reimagining of the legendary Thin Lizzy's most beloved tracks - the newly recorded ‘Slow Blues E.B (Eric Bell Acoustic Version)’ showcases a seamless blend of past and present, featuring fresh acoustic guitar parts recently laid down by founding member Eric Bell at the Oh Yeah! Centre studio in Belfast.

"I remember recording 'Eire' from our debut album Thin Lizzy in 1971,” says Eric Bell. “I wrote the main guitar part first on acoustic and then we built it up from there. I played the 12-string acoustic throughout the track and introduced the electric on top.

“This was useful in the studio in Belfast recently where we recorded fresh guitar parts to allow us to create new Thin Lizzy acoustic versions of some of our favourite songs, by recreating those original acoustic parts and adding the vocals which Philip laid down on the day and those original drum parts which Brian came up with in the original recording sessions".

Inhaler, ‘Open Wide’

The second single and title track of their forthcoming album Open Wide sees Inhaler transform a short, electronic house demo into a hypnotic track - characterised by an addicting bassline, spacey guitars and a typically massive-sounding chorus.

Their third studio full length is set to arrive early next year, on February 7, 2025. Upon announcing the record, the band also revealed plans of a world tour - with their biggest ever Irish show, set to take place in Dublin’s St Anne’s Park on May 30, 2025.

Travy, ‘Master Shifu’

Travy’s latest number opens with some slick, haunting, eastern-style instrumentation, a nod to the song’s titular character - Po's sagacious trainer in the Kung Fu Panda films. A fat beat and the rapper’s trademark, unapologetically confident delivery follow suit. Fresh off the back off singles 'FSSH' and 'Frogive Me', 'Master Shifu' signals a strong end to the year for the perpetually busy artist, whose DOGHOUSE album - released alongside longtime collaborator Elzzz - became the first-ever Irish rap album to debut at No.1 on the Irish charts.

 

 

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AILSHA, ‘Call In A Minute'

Wicklow alternative metal artist AILSHA has released her explosive new track ‘Call In A Minute’. The new song is a metal power anthem, showing the songwriter reflecting on her inability to spend a night alone without calling a loved one with a panic attack of some sort. Through her music, AILSHA playfully showcases how anxiety can manifest into something bigger that can involve a lot of people in one’s life.

Speaking about the track, AILSHA said: “I wanted to just make a song that I enjoyed making, and 'Call In A Minute' came from a place of fun. The majority of the song was made just by messing around on Logic late at night in my bedroom, and the lyrics initially made no sense.

“It was only by realising one day when I was by myself that I was calling my mam about something I was very irrationally worried about and I thought, hey, that's a fun idea for a song- how I can't just be on my own for a night without worrying about something. The song conveys a mixture between the silly side of the irrational anxiety I often experience as well as the panic attack side of it all, but in a way that makes it fun to perform live."

Rhob Cunningham, ‘Broken’

Rhob Cunningham has released a raw and reflective new acoustic album, Everyday Decisions. In a single day of recording, the acclaimed artist captured the beauty of winter into the 10-track album. A particularly striking track from the album is ‘Broken’, which features backing vocals from Conor O’Brien of Villagers, creating a rare moment of harmony within Everyday Decisions.

‘Broken’ is a gorgeous acoustic track with stunning harmonies. The melodic riff and catchy lyrics make this song a standout from the album.

WILDES and St Francis Hotel, ‘Are You Gonna Speak?’

WILDES and St Francis Hotel's pulsating new single, ‘Are You Gonna Speak?'  comes off their upcoming EP Kopfkino, set to drop early next year. On this collaboration, the meditative track offers a telling glimpse into the shadowy sonics and deeply personal lyrical themes present on the EP.

The new single is a broody and electric anthem, with dark lyrics, powerful vocals, and throbbing synths, culminating in a track that its listeners could loop on repeat.

Aoife Destruction and The Nilz, ‘Give Me An Attitude’

Dublin group Aoife Destruction and The Nilz have released a new single ‘Give Me An Attitude’, accompanied by a music video. Aoife Destruction had previously contributed to The Nilz debut album Unicorn Hardsports in 2021 on the track ‘So’. The collaboration sees Aoife Destruction and The Nilz combine aggressive comedic smut tones with catchy laments and choruses. The track is punchy from beginning to end, with classic punky spirit, guitar riffs, and thundering drums. The collaboration reaches perfect unity throughout each chorus.

Jo LaRue, ‘Arizona’

Dublin-born singer-songwriter Jo LaRue has released her stunning new single ‘Arizona’. Jo LaRue has been writing songs and playing piano since a young teen, and collaborated with some of Dublin’s talented session musicians on her last single ‘We Don’t Live Here Anymore’. Featuring a melodic bassline, a relaxed guitar riff, and shuffling drums, LaRue presents a groovy new track, with strong vocals and a laid back feel. The gradual fade out with a guitar solo is the perfect end to a track that whisks its listener away.

AM Shanley, ‘Gone, Gone (Gone)’

Northern Irish songwriter AM Shanley has released his latest track 'Gone, Gone (Gone)', taken from his upcoming LP American Vanilla due to be released early next year. 

The track features candid lyrics, covering a sudden self-awareness and experiencing empathy for the first time. The track was recorded with Julie McClarnon at Analogue Catalogue Studios. 

Shanley says of the track, “This person is someone who was once so unbelievably arrogant, spoiled and entitled in their early adult life it’d make anyone angry and/or sick. They took everyone and everything for granted, burned bridges and hurt both themselves and others with no remorse and chose getting fucked up instead of ever taking responsibility or accountability.”

 

Penny’s Band, ‘Green Eyes Red’ 

Penny’s Band have released their second single ‘Green Eyes Red’, a heartbreak anthem at its core covering themes such as loss and confusion. 

The track features flowing ambient verses and hard hitting choruses, their inspirations of The 1975 and The Killers dotted throughout. 

Speaking of the single the band writes, "Green Eyes Red” was born out of the emotional aftermath of a complicated relationship. The song is a reflection on the breakdown of a connection once full of potential, and the questions left unanswered in its wake. The verses recount the last positive memory with this person—an intimate coastal drive to Ballycastle—while the chorus returns to the present day, capturing the disillusionment as the relationship deteriorates.” 

Check out Penny’s Band at their very first headline gig on January 9 in The Union Bar, Belfast.

The Púcas, ‘Christmas In Galway’

Irish folk pop duo The Púcas have released a new seasonal tune, their charity Christmas single 'Christmas In Galway' about the holiday season in their home city.

The track lyrically reflects on simple appreciations of life, and the memories that one holds associated with the festive seasons, and the traditions that make it special. The track has a hint of nostalgic quality, harkening back to the feeling of childhood holidays, yet the duo honors their roots with  traditionally folk Irish instrumentals.

The song feels like an uplifting hymn of the winter season. The Púcas have also announced a charity event at Róisín Dubh on tuesday, December 12. The single benefits The Galway Hospice, as well as the performance.

Seánie Bermingham, ‘The Winter’

Dublin-based folk artist Seánie Bermingham, from Tipperary is set to release 'The Winter’ today 2024, a gentle folk ballad with emotive vocals that sound wistful and longing. 

Bermingham says that his new single is about "how we all face unwanted thoughts and feelings. Embracing these was a big turning point for me."

He says on Instagram that, "I started to realise that anxiety and being down often doesn’t stem from external situations but rather my response to them. Now, if I ever feel low, I remind myself to breathe and let the thoughts come and go."

 

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Greg Tisdall, ‘nosebleeds’

An absolute dream of an indie track, Greg Tisdall’s ‘nosebleed’ is a longing tune of gentle guitar riffs and transporting rhythmic sections about “nosebleeds, insomnia, staleness, what I don’t have versus what I do and everything else in between,” according to the musician’s Instagram. Complete with a spellbinding vocal performance, ‘nosebleed’ is as charming as it is nostalgic.

Offica, ‘Plotting’

Irish-nigerian rapper Offica returns with his new freestyle ‘Plotting’, a hard hitting and moody banger, where the rapper delivers straight up bars with rich vocals and his trademark witty, cutting word-play, as he schemes and plots his next moves with a sniper-like mentality.

Offica comments: “For me plotting is about closing the year with a bang and going into the new year with a bang”.

Tadhg Williams, ‘Hole In The Wall’

The closing track from Waterford musician Tadhg Williams’ EP This Record Is A Nixer, out today, ‘Hole in The Wall’ is deeply stirring and yet lined with a distinctive warmth that perfectly rounds up the emotional record. With elegant lyricism, soft acoustic guitars and richly textured strings, the song explores the conviviality that comes from apocalyptic times.

Speaking of the song to Hot Press last month, Williams described his inspiration: “I was thinking about how we would actually react, if the world ended. How would we spend our final hours? I think it's a very Irish thing in situations like that, to sit around and share stories and talk. We share songs, and I think that's what I was trying to capture.”

RUÁ and Jacob Cunningham-Bell, ‘Breakout’

Derry-born musician RUÁ collaborates with Jacob Cunningham-Bell on the sulphurous dream-pop track ‘Breakout’, a mysterious tune of velvety vocal lines and distinctively dark guitar riffs. Deeply infectious and transporting, the song is complete with silky-smooth harmonies as well as hypnotising and intricate melodies.

Susie Dawson-Howe, ‘Occam's Razor’

Dublin singer-songwriter Susie Dawson-Howe unveils her new single ‘Occam's Razor’, hailing from her debut EP Underwater, out today, A stirring and honest rock anthem underlined by glistening acoustic guitars and vulnerable lyricism, the track chronicles the self doubt and feelings of displacement that the musician felt in her first semester of college, struggling to find her footing as an artist while the bulk of the people around her went into more technical fields. ‘Occam's Razor’ grapples with her simultaneous fascination with that world and also the feeling of being lost in it, unsure of where life will take her next and yearning for the familiar.

Kingfishr, ‘Bet On Beauty’

A warm and dreamy folk tune, Kingfishr’s new track ‘Bet On Beauty’ is as joyful as it is longing, with its major banjo chords and infectious rhythmic sections, wrapped up in Eddie’s signature honey-rich vocals, making for a much-needed sunny and hopeful track offering during the gloomy month of December.

Villagers, ‘A Matter Of Taste’

A funky and boisterous track, Villagers’ ‘A Matter Of Taste’ is a tranquil yet bright new offering from Conor O’Brien, complete with bouncy rhythmic sections and lighthearted flute and trombone melodies that offer a fun yet intricate texture to the tune.

Atli Örvarsson and Talos, ‘Fireworks’

Today sees the full release of Sun Divider, the mesmeric four track EP from Atli Örvarsson and Talos, it is the first music from Talos since his untimely passing in August this year.

With sparsely-appointed keys and heart-rending vocals, ‘Fireworks’ stands out as a delicate, yet transcendent offering.

Speaking about the new EP, Talos reflected: “The songs are dynamic and twist from small whispers to grand cinematic sweeps. They paint pictures of lost loves, lost spaces and reflect on lessons learned from hardships. They are sung from a place of sturdiness, from a place where life’s lessons have created solid foundations from which new life can sprout from.”

Zoé Basha, ‘Love Is Teasin’’

Dublin-based American-French musician Zoé Basha has unveiled the hauntingly beautiful track ‘Love Is Teasin’’, a heart-wrenching Appalachian traditional song that traverses the fragile, wind-beaten landscape of love.

“It’s a song I’ve been singing for years at traditional singing sessions and around campfires,” says Zoé of the track. “It’s about the fear we all have about love – that it can only fade, that it’s fleeting. That fear is a theme that takes different forms across the album, and this song expresses that vulnerability.”

Recorded at Dundalk’s Black Mountain Studios, the final vocal takes were captured into the wee hours of the morning, and the drowsy, dreamlike aura powerfully comes through on this a cappella wonder of a track.

Davie Furey, ‘Christmas Eve’

Singer-songwriter Davie Furey has released his latest single, raising proceeds and awareness for The Simon Communities of Ireland.

Recorded in Meath’s Jealoustown Studios alongside producer Stuart Gray, Furey takes over on vocals and acoustic guitar, with Gray on guitars and keys and Michael Kerr on fiddle.

‘“Christmas Eve” was written in about 20 minutes and recorded in a day at Jealoustown with Stuart,” Furey says of the track. “As soon as I wrote it, I needed to record it as quickly as possible…some songs are just impatient, I guess. For me, this is a song of reflection and gratitude, whilst also being aware that this time of the year can be very difficult for people”.

 

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WineMom, ‘Somebody To Love’

In their latest single, WineMom cover Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Somebody To Love’.

The faithful rendition boasts electrifying riffage, a high octane rhythm section and sky-reaching vocals that salute the likes of Grace Slick.

Posting to their Instagram, the band commented on the release, saying: “Our cover of the Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Somebody to Love’ has always been one of our favourites to play for you. And we know how much you love to hear it, so we immortalised it for you. An early Christmas present from all of us at WineMom HQ. And if you’re lucky, Santa may have more for you”.

Stray Planets, ‘Please Don't Hurt the Snow’

John Butler, the singular voice behind Stray Planets, caps off an impressive 2024 with the release of his crystalline new single ‘Please Don’t Hurt the Snow’.

A deftly woven ode to the season, the track captures a mesmeric, snow-dappled atmosphere that’s nostalgic in spirit, yet contemporary by design.

Produced by longtime collaborator Rian Trench, ‘Please Don’t Hurt the Snow’ blends Butler’s distinct vocals with wonderfully icy arpeggios and a dreamlike soundscape.

The result is a harmonically exquisite work that balances wistful fragility and widescreen splendour.

KhakiKid, ‘Boy Racer’

Anthemic and chest-pounding, the latest offering from KhakiKid blends alt-rap and country sensibilities to dazzling effect.

‘Boy Racer’ recalls the spirited and uplifting sonics of Mac Miller to a masterful degree. With its strummed soundscape and rousing hooks that demand belting, the Dublin rapper sings: ”What does my home look like, no TV and some broken lights?...Won’t you come on”

Jedward, ‘LOVEmas’

Jedward are back with a rousing, festive banger to soundtrack your Christmas holiday.

Recalling the likes of Wham!’s all-time hit ‘Last Christmas’, ‘LOVEmas’ is an undeniable foot-tapper replete with jingle bells, supernova vocals and a rock-heavy backing. The track also boasts timely references to pop culture, from Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter to Oasis and several Christmas classics.

Speaking about ‘LOVEmas’, Jedward say: “Our song is inclusive for everyone because love is universal and we all need a fun Jepic 2024 anthem to bring everyone together dancing to the LOVEmas dance”.

 

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Dexterity, ‘Vessel’

The scintillating prog-rock tune ‘Vessel’, from alt-rockers Dexterity, takes listeners on a journey through both sonic and emotional ebbs and flows.

Reflecting on the trans experience of frontwoman Sarah Dexter, the track channels the experience of not feeling right in your skin and wishing you had another vessel.

“‘Vessel’ is inspired by the journey of finding comfort in your own skin”. Sarah says, “I always knew that I was different, but didn’t quite know how. I don’t think anyone would have guessed that I would end up trans, which shows how limitless our limited vessels are.”

Blonde, ‘Mariana’

Cork indie-rockers Blonde have unleashed their debut single ‘Mariana’.

Teeming with magnetic riffage, rousing basslines and a dizzying drum section, the track slowly unveils its chaos, shifting from an unhurried, sparse verse to the catchy, raucous hook: ”Mariana, where have you gone?”.

‘Mariana’ was helmed at Wavefield Recordings in the band’s stomping grounds of West Cork, unveiling a debut that shows unending promise and undeniable talent.

 

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Hozier, 'Hymn To Virgil'

Hozier returns with a never-before-heard track from the Unreal Unearth sessions, following news of the Unending deluxe album release in the works.

'Hymn To Virgil' recalls the Wicklow crooner's atmospheric, gospel-adjacent soundscapes, unveiling the darker, organ-laden side of his soundscapes. However, Hozier departs slightly from his soul formula to create a synth-heavy backing to accentuate his belting vocals.

By turns catchy and anthemic, 'Hymn To Virgil' is a real treat for listeners, as Hozier keeps the flame of Unreal, Unearth lit with a flurry of unreleased tracks brought to light.

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