Mr Pink, ‘In The End’

Following a two year hiatus, Dublin alt-rock four piece Mr Pink have released their newest single ‘In The End’. With their classic 90s influenced sound, the group takes inspiration from the likes of Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alice In Chains. Their latest release, ‘In The End’, begins gently, with a mellow guitar loop complemented by low vocals, while the track steadily builds. A blaring electric guitar rips through the song, accompanied by louder, angrier vocals, and thundering drums. The track calms again, before launching back into its powerful rock-focused epicentre.

Jade O, ‘Out Of Time’

Actor, singer, and performer Jade O has released her fifth single, ‘Out Of Time’, a disco pop number written and co-produced with Alan Kelly. ‘Out Of Time’ is a quintessential disco pop track, begging to be danced along to. Jade’s vocals shine through as the upbeat melody whisks its listener away to disco heaven. Boasting wah-wah guitars and a fat, synthy bassline, actor and singer Jade O’Connor’s latest banger is sheer funk, with the tight, string-swathed groove evoking disco’s ‘70s heyday. Her vocal shines too, with the refrain - “We’re out of step, we’re out of time” - summing up how the artistic polymath thinks about her current romantic predicament.

Freddy Black, ‘Silhouette Roulette’

Following on from his recent singles ‘Drainpipe Diamond’ and ‘Cloak and Dagger’, Dublin experimental poet, songwriter and musician Freddy Black has released his captivating new single ‘Silhouette Roulette’, with Hotel Mosaic. The single is a profound meditation on the labyrinth that is modern love, tugging on the listeners heartstrings. Black’s latest track is a journey through the digital corridors of romance, recounting a thought-provoking narrative that scours the depths of our digital lives. ‘Silhouette Roulette’ also functions as a call to action, urging us to rise above the hunt for ephemeral intimacy.

Zeztra, ‘Where You Once Lay’

Comprising Dublin-born singer-songwriters Avril and Lorna Meade, powerful sister alt-pop duo Zeztra have released their debut EP Karma. The third single to be released from the new EP, ‘Where You Once Lay’, is a harmonious power ballad, reflecting on love and featuring dynamic vocals from the pair. Avril described what it’s like to work alongside her sister creatively: “drawing inspiration from different genres of pop, alt-rock, R&B, and Latin music has honed our craft, creating songs with blood harmonies and hopeful instrumentation”. Harmonies are the shining star of ‘Where You Once Lay’ as the duo chant “I’m on my way”.

Blue Slate, ‘Lead Us Into Temptation’

Having exploded onto the music scene in 2023, alternative Dublin-based band Blue Slate have released their debut EP This Is How I Sleep At Night. Having kicked off 2025 with a bang, the group took part in Whelan’s Ones to Watch, as well as play a show in London this January. ‘Lead Us Into Temptation’ is a noisy and thrilling track from the new EP, featuring thundering drums, fuzzy guitar, and strong vocals, as the lead singer echoes “Why don’t you just run?”.

PCG Beats, ‘Leaving Home’

Irish Copenhagen-based guitarist and producer PCG Beats has released his latest lo-fi track, ‘Leaving Home’. Via Instagram, the artist commented on the significance of the new single, “In 2020 I made the move to Copenhagen and this song aims to capture the bittersweet feeling of leaving home for something new”. Just under two minutes in length, the track takes its listeners on an ethereal journey as if they’re floating through the clouds, with a traditional Irish sound subtly woven within.

Daithí, ‘Valentine!’

Half of electronic duo HousePlants, Daithí is based in the Burren, Co. Clare, as a producer, scorer and recorder. On the optimum day for it, the artist has released his latest single ‘Valentine!’, his first solo track in nearly three years. Beginning with a sample of spoken Japanese, ‘Valentine!’ comes bursting in with 80s sounding drums and synths. With “Valentine, you know it’s not too late, you can still be my date” being sung, the dynamic electronic track echoes Kraftwerk.

Somebody’s Child, ‘Irish Goodbye’

Alternative/indie artist Somebody’s Child has released his cracking new single ‘Irish Goodbye’, which he has dubbed as a “A reminder to the self that you can't change the past”. A track from his upcoming album When Youth Fades Away, and ahead of an upcoming German tour, ‘Irish Goodbye’ is an exciting tune with a nostalgic quality. The artist sings wistfully over a groovy bassline and 80s inspired synths and guitar riffs, culminating in a thrilling nostalgia trip.

hikii, ‘Nonchalant’ feat. Flynn Johnson & Mango

Dublin hip-hop artist hikii has released his latest track ‘Nonchalant’, the final track to complete his HMH Tapes Vol.1 series, featuring hip-hop and spoken word artist Flynn Johnson and musician Mango. An exciting collaboration between three artists, ‘Nonchalant’ is a chill hip hop track. Dynamic in momentum, the smooth song delineates different vocal styles. Overall, ‘Nonchalant’ is a groovy hip hop track with a narrative aspect that draws its listeners in.

Soda Blonde, ‘People Pleaser’

As the cover art suggests, Dublin indie favourites Soda Blonde get into the Valentine’s spirit by delivering a searingly honest account of a faltering relationship, underpinned by miscommunication, insecurities and frustration. Sonically, the track is ornately put together, featuring glittering piano, atmosphere-forming guitars and pulsing electro-drums, topped off by a sticky chorus.

The song marks Soda Blonde’s first release of what’s set to be a busy year, with the Faye O’Rourke-fronted outfit having recently announced a tour across the UK and Europe this May.

 

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Youngiz, ‘SUWD’

Rising Irish rapper Youngiz gets romantic on his latest number, with the accompanying video showing him mend an argument with his “it girl” via some retail therapy. The track, the title of which stands for “Shop Until We Drop," was produced by 8x Platinum and 7x Gold-certified producer von Haartman. Youngiz’s flow and lyrics brim with confidence and ambition, as does the bouncy beat, which serves to uplift and empower.

It's another impressive entry in a steadily-incerasing catalogue of bangers. With viral hits like 'Naija Babe', 'Outside', 'War In The Club' and 'Irish Girl' already under his belt, Youngiz is cementing himself as one of Ireland’s most exciting rap voices.

Trinkets, 'End Is Near'

Dublin-based indie merchants Trinkets deliver a typically atmospheric and lyrically candid call to keep your chin up with ‘End is Near’. The song is adorned with a shoegaze-adjacent arrangement of guitars and deep, driving bass and an ethereal vocal.

“End Is Near is a little window into what's next to come,” say the band, “but it's also a song that reflects how our sound has developed since we first set off on our journey two years ago.”

Formed in 2022, the five-piece say their sound draws inspiration from the likes of My Bloody Valentine and The Cure. They’ve sold out a number of hometown shows, and are hoping to establish themselves as a national force in the coming year.

The Original Rudeboys, ‘Stars In My Eyes (Marty Guilfoyle Remix)’

Twelve years on from the release of their debut album This Life, Dublin indie-rap trio The Original Rudeboys are back to play a sold-out show in the 3Olympia in April. They’ve also teamed up with renowned DJ Marty Guilfoyle for a high-octane, bass-laden remix of their hit song ‘Stars In My Eyes’, bringing the banger to new ears and euphoric heights.

“‘We’re very proud that a song we wrote almost 15 years ago still resonates enough with people that it is still being listened to and remixed,” say the band. “House, dance and electronic music is a heartbeat of the area we're from, so to have a chance to be in any way part of that scene that we grew up around is priceless to us.”

Cronin, ‘Overlooking Paris’

Cronin's latest single emits a smokey, Waitsian quality. Featuring accordion, gypsyish strings and guitars with the reverb turned to 11, the broody number was described by the band as their very own “James Bond spy theme.”

The song was recorded at Black Box Studio in France, and produced by David Odlum, who also contributes guitar and synths. The strings come from Anna Houston and Steve Wickham, along with additional recording and mixing by Mick Cronin.

The song-writing and music production duo from Drumlish, County Longford, Ireland, Michael and Johnny Cronin, have been releasing music since 2006 and have since established themselves as influential figures in the Irish music scene, earning plaudits from the likes of Nick Cave, The Pogues and, of course, Hot Press.

 

Eimear, ‘To Be Loved’

Eimear Crehan celebrates Valentine’s Day with a tune that is at once stripped-back and powerful, with a massive-sounding spring section giving the tune an added cinematic quality. Lyrically, the track speaks to longing, deep love, and the universal need for human connection. The song’s release coincides with the announcement of her Grá Mór 25 show at the National Concert Hall, taking place on September 6.

“It is also an honour to be able to work with young musicians from Rwanda as part of this show, as well as my incredible band,” Eimear commented. “It is going to be a phenomenal night, and what makes my heart sing more than anything is that this idea, tour, and movement of Grá Mór was born of community, connection, hard work, innovation, and big love—to see it develop into a concert worthy of the National Concert Hall is so perfect.

The Donnys, ‘Mailing List’

Kilkenny outfit The Donnys offer up some rowdy garage rock with this pounding, shred-tastic, headbanger of a tune.

Based around a 12 bars blues progression, the lead guitar line oscillates over a hypnotic rhythm section, as machine gun drum fills and bass anchors the track while simultaneously acting as a melodic counterpart for the vocals.

“The lyrics came from an old notebook I had from when I was 14 or 15 and from what I can remember it’s about feeling like I was always screwing up in a relationship I was in around that time,” says the band’s Oisín Conroy, “although looking back now I wasn’t doing anything at all.”

 

Shobsy – ‘Hold Me Up’

Shobsy’s other-wordly new track ‘Hold Me Up’ dropped today, already receiving airplay on over 70 radio stations worldwide. The song’s heavy, layered sound transports listeners into a supernatural abyss.

“'It's a conversation with my vision of God, it's a plea for help in hard times. Not in the sense of asking pain to end, but rather to have the strength to weather it, and to stay on what I feel is the right path,” said Shobsy. “I think in our own way, we all find ourselves down and out on our knees at some point. I wrote this song to pick myself back up, and I hope it can do that for others too.”

Shobsy’s use of synths adds to this dynamic theme, with a captivating vocal performance gripping the listener’s attention. Audiences can see him in Dublin at Whelan’s on March 22.

HANNAHBELLA, ‘BASELINE’

HANNAHBELLA dropped her new single ‘BASELINE’on Thursday off her upcoming EP, Parasite. Based in Cork, the experimental pop artist delivered an electrifying performance. Inspired by trip-hop bands like Massive Attack, the track blends electronic, pop and alternative-rock influences.

“‘BASELINE’ feels like the ‘bassline’ of my brain—an audio representation of my constant internal ramblings and chronic introspection. I wanted to sonically create a whirlwind of emotions to match the lyrics' overwhelming, spiraling nature,” she said.

Self-produced and mixed by Brian Casey, HANNABELLA identified the new track as her favorite off the upcoming project.

“It's the boiling point of the EP—the big finale…It’s a track that speaks to the intensity of my inner world, and I’m so proud of how it turned out,” she said.

Alannah Thornburgh, ‘Hare Song’ feat. Laura Quirke

Releasing her debut solo album, Shapeshifter, Alannah Thornburgh is poised to cement herself as one of Ireland’s most exciting musicians.

Track 5, ‘Hare Song’, sees Thornburgh team up with Lemoncello’s Laura Quirke, an offering that draws heavily on traditional Irish and folk influences—sounds that shaped her upbringing.

“Let us go forth, the teller of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart long for, and have no fear. Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth is only a little dust under our feet.” Alannah says of the album, quoting W.B. Yeats. “Creating this album taught me the importance of respecting the fairy folk, not fearing them.”

Graham Mitchell, ‘Who Came Up With Love’

Based in Dublin, singer-songwriter Graham Mitchell released his new single ‘Who Came Up With Love’ on Thursday. His dynamic, layered sound and bright vocals created a palpable energy, with his lyricism addressing the nuances of falling in love.
"This song is so personal to me because it represents the moment I fell back in love with music. It's about how love can feel like the best and worst thing at the same time—how it can be infuriating and yet something you can’t live without,” he said.

Produced by Sam Stevenson, Mitchell’s new track utilises honest storytelling to capture this magnetic spirit.

HAYLAR – ‘The Way Out’

HAYLAR’s new song 'The Way Out’ builds from delicate vocals into thundering splendor. Released today, the new track marks the second single ahead of HAYLAR’s upcoming debut album. Produced by Karl Odlum, ‘The Way Out’ addresses themes of loss and moving forward. This imagery is made all the more powerful through punchy synths and layered vocals.

“Nobody knows where they’re going, know’s where it’s ending,” she sings. “You were the reason I was believing.”

After releasing her last single ‘Come Back,’ it’s clear HAYLAR has much more to offer the music scene.

Kevin Herm Connolly, ‘No Two Days Are The Same At Sea’

Indie-folk musician Kevin Herm Connolly derived inspiration from the likes of Tom Waits, Devendra Banhart and Sufjan Stevens with his new track, ‘No Two Days Are The Same At Sea’– released on Monday. The stripped-back love song features heartfelt lyrics and a simple piano.

“Originally, I had big plans to record it as a 5-minute grand production, replete with strings, key change and all. However, when it came to record it (in Satellite Studios, Oviedo, Spain), I liked how it sounded with just a Wurlitzer and voice and decided to keep it like that,” wrote Connolly in a statement.

Fans can see Connolly perform on March 27 in his hometown of Galway.

Seán Mulrooney, ‘Aphrodite’

As he launches his solo career, Seán Mulrooney, former frontman of Tau & the Drones of Praise, today unveils his debut solo album This Is My Prayer.

With finger-picked resplendence and resonant vocals, track 4 ‘Aphrodite’ traverses a soundscape populated by a toned-down rhythm section and Wilco-esque folk-blues sensibilities.

Speaking about the new album, the Dublin singer says: “The creation of this album was deeply influenced by a period of solitude following a breakup. I retreated to a cabin in Wicklow in January 2024, where I could channel this grief into music."

StrawMan – ‘Wither (fractured smile)’

StrawMan, also known as Tommy Bonner, dropped the music video for ‘Wither (fractured smile)’ on Tuesday. First released in 2020 off his debut album Fearless, the song addresses themes of hopelessness and depression.

This comes among a string of re-releases in celebration of StrawMan’s collaboration with Burke PR & Consultancy. Earnest lyrics are woven amongst the piano and strings, creating an air of solemn introspection. The music video, shot and directed by Michael Gillespie, features StrawMan in his hometown of Donegal. Melodic and soft-spoken, the track gives listeners a taste of StrawMan’s artistic capabilities.

Mucksavage, ‘Watto’

Mucksavage released their new slacker rock track ‘Watto’– out today. The love song features lyrics by guitarist and frontman James Foy. At the time of writing, Foy was facing the consequences of a breakup, an on-going medical condition and the realities of moving back home.

“I felt like an alien on a planet that I had no business being on,” he said.

These feelings of alienation are emphasised through the intentional Star Wars reference in the songs title and lyrics. The fuzz-heavy track highlights the bands guitar and bass, drawing inspiration from shoegaze and dream pop melodies. The band also released an accompanying track, titled ‘Love Bomb.’

“If ‘Watto' is the ‘will-they-won’t-they’ phase of a relationship, then ‘Love Bomb’ is the honeymoon phase," said Foy.

Annika Kilkenny, ‘Tango’

Annika Kilkenny draws listeners into her lush, tender soundscape with latest track ‘Tango’, from her EP Me In The Mud.

Over a soft bed of shimmering classical guitar, the singer-songwriter takes listeners through the tango dance routine, likening it to the dance of side-stepping romantic feelings. Annika’s vocals are a perfect match for the blushing instrumental, which comprises resonant vocal harmonies and abstracted guitar.

Evocative of Taylor Swift’s ‘champagne problems’ or Big Thief slow burns, Kilkenny offers a heart-rending number that makes for a welcome slot on any indie sadcore playlist.

Natalie Moran, ‘Know Your Soul’

Pop songsmith Natalie Moran continues a stream of synth-laden releases with her latest single ‘Know Your Soul’.

With its dance-pop sensibilities, the track blends touches of Irish fiddle to channel a musical number that is dancefloor-ready and undeniably heart-pounding.

‘Know Your Soul’ playfully invites the listener to open themselves to the possibilities of love, delivered with flexible vocals that mesh between powerhouse and ethereal cadences.

“‘Know Your Soul’ is a loved project of mine,” the singer says. “I wanted to create a song that had a current dance-pop feel and then enhance it with a mix of an instrument (fiddle) so closely tied to Ireland. Blending my voice, dance, and fiddle all together in a track as big as this one was very exciting and took place across many sessions, each adding an extra creative flare to the final track.”

Check out our New Irish Songs To Hear This Week playlist on Spotify below: