Travy, ‘EUROSTAR’

Nigerian-born, Irish-raised hip-hop juggernaut Travy kicks off 2025 by dropping his much-anticipated and staunchly impressive solo mixtape SPOOKY. Formerly known as TraviS, he’s already enjoyed chart-topping success alongside his frequent collaborator Elzzz, with the duo’s DOGHOUSE album debuting at no.1 on the Irish charts last March.

‘EUROSTAR’ is a fine taster from the bar spitter’s debut outing. He teams up with Louth rapper Reggie to take us on a bass heavy, cross-continental journey, as Paris artist Yvnnis rounds things off by delivering an ear-worming vocal hook en Français.

 

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Joy Crookes, ‘Pass The Salt’

Joy Crookes joins up with celebrated US rapper Vince Staples on her latest track, which is dripping with both humour and provocativeness. The trippy, experimental beat is adorned by heavy synths and busy basslines, providing the backbone for Crookes’ lyrical takedown of a malevolent gossip.

"Pass the Salt is about a woman I know vaguely, who is nothing short of an arsehole, who got jealous and started spreading rumours about me,” the signer explains. “The song is basically me squaring up (musically) and being like ok bitch if u have something to say come say it to my face.”

Joy Crookes supporting Lizzo at 3Arena on March 13th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Jordan Adetunji, ‘Too Many Women’ feat. kwn

One of the biggest musical success stories to stem from this island in the past 12 months, the Grammy-nominated Jordan Adetunji is, in the eyes of fans and tastemakers alike, poised to reach new heights in 2025. He gets the ball rolling by teaming up with East Londoner kwn on the sensual ‘Too Many Women’, which puts the Belfast artist’s genre-shifting capabilities on full blast.

The track is the lead single from his upcoming mixtape A Jaguar’s Dream, set to arrive at the end of this month.

“A Jaguar to me, is someone who moves through spaces and conquers every space it enters,” Adetunji says of the record. “ This is how I feel with my sound constantly evolving and conquering every space I enter into. A Jaguar’s Dream is an entry into my love life and my world of thoughts through sound and emotion. A real manifestation of my dreams I wish to make reality."

pMad, Feed’

Galway post-punk goth-rocker Paul Dillon delivers a typically dark, brooding number, which explores themes like isolation, inner turmoil and search for meaning atop a well-crafted backdrop of flanged guitars and driving percussion.

The track touches on warped societal values, as can be heard through the lines: "The life of a value is worth more than the value of a life" - an astute commentary on humanity's priorities in the modern world.

pMad

The Waterboys, ‘Hopper’s On Top (Genius)

Mike Scott and co. offer the first taste of what might be their most ambitious work to date, with the lead single from their upcoming opus Life, Death and Dennis Hopper (scheduled to arrive April 4). The song is piano-driven and groovy, and is thematically in line with what we’re expecting from the rest of the LP, by virtue of being dedicated to the titular Hollywood legend.

"The arc of his life was the story of our times," says Scott on the upcoming Dennis Hopper-dedicated concept record. "He was at the big bang of youth culture in Rebel Without A Cause with James Dean; and the beginnings of Pop Art with the young Andy Warhol. He was part of the counter-culture, hippie, civil rights and psychedelic scenes of the '60s. In the '70s and '80s he went on a wild 10-year rip, almost died, came back, got straight and became a five-movies-a-year character actor without losing the sparkle in his eye or the sense of danger or unpredictability that always gathered around him."

The Waterboys at the Marquee, Cork. By Trevor McGrath.

Tayne, ‘Scars’

Another act pipped for a pic 2025, Dublin-born, London-based trio Tayne announce their debut album LOVE ( set to arrive January 31) in searing fashion. ‘Scars’ splices together Lady Gaga glam-pop with a Terminator Judgment Day-inspired percussive thud of electro-infused destruction.

“Thematically revealing, honest and being open,” explains Tayne frontman Matt Sutton, “It's about allowing yourself to be vulnerable, showing your intimacy and not letting your baggage drag you down.”

Interestingly, as part of the album launch, the band will be offering 20 Tayne tattoos to fans to be tattooed by Staunton, who’s a resident at Kings Cross’ acclaimed tattoo shop Sacred Gold.

Tayne by by Eivind Hansen

Without Willow, ‘Sink My Teeth’

Acclaimed Donegal folk duo Without Willow’s latest tune is a gorgeous, stripped-back affair, which addresses the importance of self-worth and standing up for yourself. The guitar playing is driving yet delicate, allowing the storytelling harmonies of Karen Kelly and Simon McCafferty to take centre stage.

“I think a lot of us try to keep the peace in difficult times, often at the expense of our own well-being,” Kelly says. “The song is a way of saying, it’s okay to stand up for yourself when you have to.”

Without Willow

Bren Berry, ‘Knives (Heavy Metal Rain)’

‘Knives (Heavy Metal Rain)’ is the latest single from musician Bren Berry’s forthcoming debut solo album In Hope Our Stars Align, dropping on January 31. Similar to Berry’s last single ‘Turn On Your Radio’, his new track is a protest song, urging his listeners to tune into what’s occurring in the world around us as climate disasters happen more and more frequently. The artist’s most lyrical song yet, ‘Knives (Heavy Metal Rain)’ is loaded with sardonic and foreboding metaphors, addressing the unfolding environmental crisis.

Talking about the new track, Berry said: “I wrote this song in response to complacent half-measures and cynical greenwashing as the planet is increasingly on fire or underwater. It is also an anthem to hope, the power of activism and positive direct action for the common good. I was inspired at the time of writing by David Attenborough's clarion call at COP26”.

Bren Berry

Lex Bucha, ‘Now You Know’

Dublin-based singer-songwriter Lex Bucha has released his second single, ‘Now You Know’. After years writing for other artists, Lex is stepping into the limelight with a track that reflects his journey of self-discovery and emotional healing. The single is a heartfelt electro-pop ballad, which delves into the emotional complexity of facing a loved one who has caused pain in the past, through themes of reconciliation and finding peace.

With echoes of Annie Lennox and Troye Sivan, Lex uses evocative melodies and introspective lyrics to connect with his listeners. On the track, Lex commented: “Now You Know is about a specific moment in my life where a person who had consistently let me down throughout my life, actually showed up and was there for me.”

Mags McCarthy, ‘Our Song’

Acclaimed vocalist, dancer and multi-instrumentalist Mags McCarthy has released her latest striking single ‘Our Song’, a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love, and the beauty of finding a true soulmate. The track marries Mags’ heritage with the soulful storytelling of country music. Mags has solidified her place in Nashville’s music scene, recording ‘Our Song’ in Tennessee makes another step towards the artist’s ultimate goal of performing at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. The vocals for the track were recorded at Windmill Lane Recording Studios, bringing Mags’ two worlds together.

Speaking about the track, Mags said: “‘Our Song’ encapsulates the essence of love that connects two people destined for one another. “This song is a tribute to love in its purest form—what it means to find that one person who feels like home. I hope it inspires people to cherish their soulmates and to never stop believing in the power of love”.

Iann Brennan, ‘Ghosts’

Following on from a busy 2024 playing sell-out shows and releasing singles, Dublin indie musician Iann Brennan has released an emotional new pop-rock track, ‘Ghosts’. The track showcases Brennan’s signature sound, with a gentle acoustic riff making way for the singer’s soaring and powerful vocals, before the song takes off. On the track, Brennan said: “The song was written in 2023 and recorded in early 2024. Ghosts is about that feeling of losing a loved one who you were close with and if you could spend just one more day with them, what would you do or say? It’s an emotional song and it means very much to me”.

Ian Brennan

Brigid Mae Power, ‘See No Evil’

In a cover version of Television’s track from their 1977 debut album Marquee Moon, Galway artist Brigid Mae Power has released ‘See No Evil’. The track is one of many from Power’s new cover album Songs For You. The release is a heartfelt collection which the artist has dedicated to her father, and features Power’s own unique interpretations of each track. Recorded at home, ‘See No Evil’ is a beautiful acoustic track featuring stunning harmonies, showcasing Power’s strong vocals. With a minimalist yet emotionally resonant sound, the timeless song takes on a fresh yet personal sound.

Pebbledash, ‘Slowly Slowly’

Released ahead of Pebbledash’s debut EP Four Portraits of the Same Ugly House, due out at the end of the month, ‘Slowly Slowly’ is a dark and texturally rich nightmarish tune of frenetic build-ups and ambient guitar sounds. Both aerial and delightfully noisy, the track is filled with longing and self-awareness, reflecting a feeling of isolation.

Speaking about the single, the band add: “‘Slowly slowly’ is a song about the desire to belong, be seen, and in many ways the selfishness of needing recognition. The lamenting tone of the vocals and harmonies glide upon the guitars and this frustration builds to the brief release of feedback at the choruses before returning to the echo chamber in the 2nd verse.

"Recorded in complete darkness in an attempt to capture that feeling of isolation and translate it to the music 'Slowly Slowly' jumps between Catharsis and Longing, it is our statement of the 'beautiful ugly' the things you want but know you shouldn't and the heartbreak when things don't happen like how you dream, and I guess this is us saying its fine to be selfish sometimes about these kinds of things”

Pebbledash - Credit: Emily Cardona

Skinner, ‘When You Live In A Shoe’

The second to last track off of Skinner’s newest album New Wave Vaudeville, out now, ‘When You Live In a Shoe’ is a rage-filled, cathartic 1 minute 40 hard-hitter. Mixing dance-punk and post-punk influences into shouted vocal lines and powerful percussions, the tune perfectly rounds up an album that is as promising as it is thought-provoking.

"The ethos of the album is to celebrate the weird part of who you are and be proud of it," says Aaron, aka Skinner. "You might feel strange in society but you don't when you're listening to your favourite music, and this record is a space for the outsiders to feel comfortable."

Skinner / Credit: Niamh Barry

Emily Doyle, ‘St Giles’

Indie folk newcomer Emily Doyle today releases her debut single ‘St Giles’, a brutally honest, heartfelt and catchy tune of dazzling acoustic guitar chords and emotively rich lyrics. “St Giles, for me, represents hope for the future when the past wasn’t so favourable”, says Emily, “This song is an honest description of a hard time in my life that I pulled myself out of and I’m sure it’s a relatable experience for many.”

The song was inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, where during a visit to St Giles Cathedral, Emily 'lit a candle’ and ‘Wrote a letter’ in a cry for help, which ironically wasn’t answered how she imagined.

Emily Doyle

Ginnels, ‘Lands Faraway’

Dublin’s Ginnels, led by the prolific Mark Chester, have released their latest single single ‘Lands Faraway,’ a carefully crafted indie pop masterstroke of breathless riffs and bouncy bass lines, wrapped up in the dreamiest and lightest of vocal performances.

Speaking about the single ‘Lands Faraway,’ Chester says, “On this song I was trying to channel The Chills - to the point that the phone demo was called ‘Chills Bass Riff’, while also realising the dream of having a cod-classical guitar solo on a track. It’s set in the limestone quarry in Cumbria where I spent much of my teenage years. Add ‘Trowbarrow’ to your Ginnels bingo card.”

Ginnels

Baliza, ‘Yo pensaba que la vida era mejor’

Spanish, Dublin-based band Baliza, release their 6th studio single, ‘Yo pensaba que la vida era mejor’, a bright yet heavy track which transports listeners into an intimate journey through the thoughts and struggles of someone consumed by vice, juxtaposing dark themes with major-chord melodies and joyful experimentation.
The band comments: “A contrasting metaphor is crafted to explain how the world, with the color that substances are thought to provide, actually becomes colorless over time.”

Baliza

Dervish, ‘Passage West’ feat. Indigo Girls

Irish folk band Dervish start 2025 on a high note with the release of a new single, ‘Passage West’, released in collaboration with American folk-rock duo Indigo Girls. Covering the classic John Spillane ballad of the same name, ‘Passage West’ is lined with deliciously soft harmonies, glistening acoustic guitars and gentle fiddles.

Amy Ray of Indigo Girls says: "I feel so fortunate to have been welcomed into the Dervish fold. Honored and psyched to be part of the project. John Reynolds has always brought us amazing opportunities to broaden our musical horizons and this is one of those precious moments! Thanks to Dervish for inviting us over the pond, we love Ireland and Scotland."

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