The Shan Vans, ‘The Shan Van’ feat. Mikey Cullen

West Belfast Irish language rock group The Shan Vans have released their latest single ‘The Shan Van’, featuring rapper Mikey Cullen. The new release is a bold anthem rooted in mythology and resistance. ‘The Shan Van’, meaning ‘The Old Woman’, features an accompanying music video, and weaves together over 100 contributions from global creators.
Frontman Jake Óg commented: “With this project, we wanna use art and music to keep the spotlight on Palestine, and while some of the most influential artists and celebrities in the world remain silent, we want to keep reminding the world of our obligations under International law to protect innocent civilians”.

Forty Foot, ‘Operator’

Alt-rock powerhouse Forty Foot have released their debut EP Body Breaking, with the thrilling focus track ‘Operator’. Soaked in a classic 90s alt-rock sound, the band push past the boundaries of genre, updating the sound and bringing a contemporary feel to it. ‘Operator’ is the perfect opening track for the EP, setting the intention early for its course. The band launch into the track, following a brief answering machine message advising the listener that “this number is not in service, this is a recording”. The track has a razor-sharp melody and bursts with energy, setting the tone for the rest of Body Breaking.

Cristina Movileanu, ‘Beauty Cleanse The Mind’

Ireland-based singer-songwriter Cristina Movileanu has released her introspective and atmospheric new track ‘Beauty Cleanse The Mind’, following on from the success of her previous single ‘Heaven’s Blend’. Featuring ethereal vocals with folk-infused melodies, the song explores the connection between beauty, emotions, and the mind’s ability to heal through music. Through haunting melodies and poetic storytelling, Movileanu paints vivid imagery of nature’s wonders– snowflakes, mountain streams, and starlit skies, reminding listeners that beauty can be found everywhere.

Methodactor, ‘I wanna cry’

The first release in a series of upcoming tracks coming later this year, Dublin-born independent artist Methodactor has released his latest self-produced hip-hop infused pop single, ‘I wanna cry’. Delving into the intense longing for someone and the uncertainty that comes with their absence, the track also captures the broader sense of confusion that many young people face in today’s world. Methodactor wrote the track during the pandemic when the 5km travel restriction was in place. The song has since evolved into a direct and soulful anthem. The artist combines raw emotion with smooth, introspective production, resulting in a well-crafted sound that explores the complexities of modern relationships and self-discovery.

Adrian Crowley, ‘Genevieve Of The Mountain’

Malta-born, Dublin-based singer-songwriter and composer Adrian Crowley has released a brand-new 11-track album Measure Of Joy. Featuring Crowley’s powerfully rich voice, his dark poetic sensibility shines throughout each track. ‘Genevieve Of The Mountain’ is a stunning song from the album, beginning with punchy drums, and the artist half singing, half narrating a story, before a groovy bass line kicks in, elevating the track, alongside a piano riff and organ-playing. An instrumentally dynamic track, it encourages the listener to pause introspectively and contemplate Crowley’s lyricism.

Moncrieff, ‘Hard Feelings’

Having played a fantastic show in Waterford's Apple Market yesterday, singer-songwriter Moncrieff has released his newest fiery track ‘Hard Feelings’, a fantastic upbeat pop track, with powerful backing vocals. Thunderous drums lead into the chorus, permeated by a stunning bassline, which the artist sings passionately over. A piano riff trickles through the track, as Moncrieff sings downbeat lyrics over a deceptively sound, “don’t say you don’t love me when you don’t mean it”.

Loners, ‘Fumes’

Dublin-born, London-based songwriter and producer Cian O’Farrell, a.k.a. Loners, has released his latest track ‘Fumes’, following on from last year’s release ‘Never Offend Me’. The new track blends baroque-pop with electronic stylings, echoing the likes of Serge Gainsbourg and The Divine Comedy. Behind its ornate arrangement, through its lyrics, ‘Fumes’ makes a cartoonish comment on dating app culture in the early 2020s, all the while showcasing the evolution of Longers’ lush and textured sound. ‘Fumes’ also features vocals from London-artist Star Anice, bringing the track to its emotional crescendo.

Biig Piig, ‘9-5’

It's debut album day for one of Ireland’s most prominent rising artists. A delightful collection of dance-adjacent synth pop tracks, the record’s title is said to symbolise enlightenment and awakening.

“11:11 has been a recurring number throughout my life,” Biig Piig comments, “especially whilst writing this record. Whenever I see it, I take a moment to reflect and dream about the possibilities ahead. This album captures various points in my journey, symbolizing synchronicity—the idea that things happen for a reason, exactly as they should.”

‘9-5’ is sweet, funky and romantic, with glittery synths, heavily modulated guitars and a CHIC-worthy bassline providing the bedrock for real-name Jessica Smyth’s buttery vocals.

1k3, ‘Slow’

With a wavey synthscape and crushing subbass sounding straight off Tame Impala’s Currents, and a psychedelic, echoing refrain, Drogheda-based Nigerian rapper 1k3 latest number is hypnotic. Lyrically, through clever wordplay, he details how his lover has to earn his trust and take it easy if she wants to be treated like a queen. It’s a typically left-field effort from the artist, who’s no stranger to dipping in and out of different sound palettes .

“I can’t stay in one genre” he says, “ I make the music I love to hear & feel, I just pray that’s not my downfall and it comes in my favour one day.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 1k3 (@official1k3)

The Wood Burning Savages, ‘Landlord’s Prayer'

An ice-picky bassline and classic rock groove form the gnarly welcome mat to this diatribe about the disparity and inequality brought upon by the housing crisis. With fat guitars and a catchy, Killers-y chorus, it’s a welcome charge of socially-conscious energy from the Derry four-piece, who release their latest album Grind Your Teeth today - the first since singer Paul Connolly opened up to fans about his life-changing illness.

“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,” he says.

“'If it wasn't for the phenomenal hospital staff who looked after me, I don't think I would still be here today. Just as the band returned to releasing music and playing shows, my body began to break down. I tried to power through, but 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.”

SHEE, ‘LEAVES’

After a highlight-laden 2024, Kerry groovesmith Shee arrives with his first release of the new(ish) year. ‘LEAVES’ is atmospheric, building slowly before descending into a trance-inducing barrage of bass, delicate synths and intensifying percussion. Following up from his last single ‘close to you’, it’s another strong showing from an exciting figure in Ireland’s healthy dance music scene.

Flexx Carter, ‘No Discussion’

Waterford rapper Flexx Carter delivers a chill-as-hell and lyrically rich R&B/Hip-Hop banger, which is at once heartfelt and introspective. Joining him is Dublin vocalist Joe Butler, who offers a smooth and soulful vocal on the chorus.

“I think everybody has experienced something like ‘No Discussion’,” Flexx Carter says. “My EP is called The Strangest Life I’ve Ever Known for a reason, it is that. This part of the EP is about relationships, because they can be some of the strangest things we experience.

“I know people feel how I felt when I was recording this track. It was like therapy for me to write and record it, and I think it will be therapy for people to listen to it as well. I think it will resonate in some way with everybody.”

Joy Crookes, ‘Mathematics’

Joy Crookes teams up with heavyweight British rapper Kano on her latest number, which bleeds jazzy self-reflection. Through ornate strings and piano, as well as a soul-rending vocal, Crookes details her struggles in a relationship that’s faltering due to poor communication .

“Mathematics was written when I was dating a French man who couldn’t understand that what was going on between us wasn’t hieroglyphics—we were just falling in love,” She says.

“And then he tried to friend-zone me. As I get to know this song better and sing it more, I’ve realized it’s somewhat an angry song about how easy I find it to love, and the frustration that it can’t be reciprocated. It’s nice when a song becomes a medicine for the different fuckeries that life hands us."

InBetween Honey, ‘Driving Home’

Emerging Irish indie rockers InBetween Honey have hit the ground running, gaining widespread recognition for their high-octane, guitar-driven sound. With the release of ‘Driving Home’, the band is charging into 2025, determined to make it a year of growth and success.

Taking listeners across an atmospheric soundscape of fuzz, wash and reverb, the song unfolds itself as a radiant rock number - the kind that would perfectly soundtrack the end credits of an indie film.

According to the band, the song channels the bittersweet feeling of relief and regret when it comes to the end of a relationship, evoking “a nearly unwanted nostalgia and ethereal presence from the get go”.

Inhaler, ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’

The final preview of Inhaler’s eagerly-awaited album, Open Wide, has been unveiled.

Boasting a propulsive ‘80s pop groove, ‘Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)’ sees the band truly come into their own, taking their sound in bold, new directions.

Frontman Elijah Hewson’s vocals are at their uplifting and electrifying best, taken to even greater stratospheric heights with the bubbly, intricate backing from guitarist Josh Jenkinson, drummer Ryan McMahon and bassist Robert Keating.

 

Ramper

Alternative-folk artist Ramper, also known as Declan McClafferty, dropped his new single 'Back to the Start' on Thursday. Dreamy and introspective, the release introduces his debut album Loner, out March 7.

“[The track] revisits memories of things I learned from the old people I grew up around and how that’s become important to me now that they’re not here anymore,” said Ramper.

The artist’s soft vocals compliment themes of loss and reflection. He recorded and self-produced the album at his home studio, and performed as the sole instrumentalist. The record was mixed by Daniel Ball and mastered by Richard Dowling, known for his work with Sinead O’Connor and David Bowie.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RAMPER (@rampersongs)

Norabelle

Dundalk indie-folksters Norabelle's latest track  is written from the perspective of lead vocalist Ken Clarke as a young boy, following the death of his mother.

"It’s a song born from questions that haunted me as a child,” said Clarke. “Like, 'How long does it take until you’re not you?' It’s both literal and metaphorical—about physical change and the emotional transformation of a family after loss.”

The band derives inspiration from artists like Sun Kil Moon, Elliott Smith, and Sufjan Stevens. Their new album The Mountain Blinks is set for release on April 11, with a launch gig scheduled at Whelans on the 16.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by norabelle (@wearenorabelle)

Skanger

Skanger’s glitzy new single ‘Maybe’ introduces their upcoming debut album, Love & Violence. Mark Healy’s voice glides effortlessly over a groovy bass, singing about nostalgia, hope and the future.

“This is a song born out of the frustrations of the Monday morning blues following a long weekend on the sesh!!” he said. “A hopeful and optimistic view overlooking the challenges of the Monday morning drinker’s remorse, looking forward to a brighter future on Tuesday…. only to be back on the well-known slippery slope by Thursday.”

Skanger is scheduled to headline their first Dublin show at Whelan’s on March 7.

The Ocelots, ‘Landlords’

The Ocelots offer richly textured sounds on their new track ‘Landlords’, hailing from their second album Everything, When Said Slowly, out today. With swaying string instrumentations and carefully woven harmonies, the track reads like a cozy yet nostalgic voyage through comforting folky soundscapes.

Uisce Jones, ‘Colour Of You’

An intimate and gentle track of transportative arpeggios and honey-rich vocals, Uisce Jones’ ‘Colour Of You’ was recorded and produced in an old wooden cabin in Galway, capturing the space’s raw, organic and familiar feel. Blending folk and atmospheric soundscapes, the track is as catchy as it is distinctive.

The Butterfly Graveyard, ‘Setting Sun’

Indie artist The Butterfly Graveyard explores climate concerns on the reflective new single ‘Setting Sun’, through delicate melodies and gentle guitar chords, flavoured with carefully crafted and melancholic string transitions.

"The song is a rallying call to protect the earth in this so called 'Golden Age ' of drilling. It's about 'we' as a collective, trying to get things done before the human race runs out of road and the sun sets on the earth for the very last time."

For Nina, ‘Low’

Dublin-based trio For Nina release their brand new single ‘Low’, a hypnotic and dark tune of slow-building melodies and moody harmonies, reaching its climax in an explosion of a bridge flavoured with rousing percussions and heavy guitar solos, making for a track that is as cathartic as it is mysterious.

Kingfishr, ‘Man On The Moon’

Irish folk maestros Kingfishr have put our their new bright single ‘Man On The Moon’, a catchy and boisterous track juxtaposed with heavy and reflective lyrics, making for a hopeful tune complete with the band’s signature glistening guitar chords and rich vocals.

Ryan McMullan, ‘Jenny And Johnny’

Capturing Ryan McMullan’s signature ability to weave heartfelt storytelling with powerful, relatable emotions, ‘Jenny And Johnny’ is a powerful guitar track chronicling the tale of two people destined for love but caught in their own cycle of self-sabotage through whose soulful voice and honest lyrics.

Speaking about the single, Ryan says: ”‘Jenny and Johnny’ is about the push and pull of love, especially when it’s obvious two people belong together but just can’t seem to get out of their own way. It’s raw, real, and close to the bone—and I think a lot of people will feel that too.”

Haunted Images, ‘Stay Awake’

Irish producer and songwriter Haunted Images releases his shoegazey and ethereal new piece ‘Stay Awake’, juxtaposing modern alt-metal sounds against the left field ambient and atmospheric productions. Lyrically the song addresses the difficult subject of wanting to escape life by wanting to sleep forever, never to wake up.

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