WILDES & St Francis Hotel, ‘State Trooper’

Irish producer/artist Declan Gaffney, a.k.a. St Francis Hotel, has collaborated with Anglo-Irish singer-songwriter Ella Walker of WILDES, to bring about a chilling rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘State Trooper’, taken from their brand new EP Kopfkino. WILDES commented: “We eventually decided to put our stamp on the song by leaning on Springsteen’s initial inspiration from Suicide, and we ended up with an even darker, grittier, electronic version of this already atmospheric song. It’s an important full stop on the EP, capturing the era we were inspired by and the great artists that have impacted us both as musicians." The re-interpretation is an inventive and thrilling take on the classic track.

Tanya O ‘Seattle’

Kerry singer-songwriter Tanya O has released her stunning new single ‘Seattle’, co-written with Pa Sheehy. The pop folk ballad is a reflective track featuring the artist’s soothingly smooth vocals, accompanied by gentle acoustic guitar. On the track, Tanya O said: “This song was definitely a nostalgic one to write. It’s basically about looking back at the ‘good ole days’of a childhood friendship. It has a feeling of reminiscing about all the great memories of an old friend and also wondering where they are now and hoping that they are happy”.

Evan Miles, ‘It Hasn’t Hit Me Yet’

Emerging Waterford electronic artist/producer Evan Miles has shared his latest release ‘It Hasn’t Hit Me Yet’. The track is an upbeat electronic dance track with an ethereal quality. A vocal emerges on loop repeating the lyric “It Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”. The perfect dance floor track, this is the artist’s first release in a while, coming back to the music scene with an exciting bang.

Soft Launch, ‘Dinosaur’

Following on from 2024’s ‘Milkshake’, 5-piece group Soft Launch have released their hotly-anticipated latest track ‘Dinosaur’, a brilliant indie pop tune, with a thrilling music video soon to be revealed. Boasting excellent production, layered vocals, well-constructed harmonies and impressive instrumentation, ‘Dinosaur’ is sure to be a hit for the group. The group’s infectious use of lyricism shines through, as the track builds steadily to an excitingly noisy climax.

Fontaines D.C., ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’

Marking their first release since their Grammy-nominated album Romance, Fontaines D.C.’s ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ is an anthemic yet incredibly soft rock tune, complete with the band’s signature high-octane guitar riffs and melancholic vocals. Accompanied by a music video from acclaimed BAFTA-winning filmmaker Luna Carmoon, who previously worked with the Dublin quintet on their previous record, the new track once again cements Fontaines as one of the most exciting bands of the moment.

Speaking about the song, Conor Deegan III says: “'It’s Amazing To Be Young' is a song that was written in the presence of a newborn child - Carlos’ child. It sounded more like a lullaby or a music box then, but with the same lyric - “it’s amazing to be young”. The feeling of hope a child can give is profound and moving, especially for young men like us. That sense of wanting to create a world for them to grow up in happily. It’s a feeling that fights against the cynicism that can often overtake us in the modern world. So we wanted to declare which side we were on - it really is amazing to be young. We are still free, and want to make that feeling spread. We want to protect it for the others around us, and maybe in doing that, can also help protect it for ourselves.”

The Murder Capital, ‘A Distant Life’

Hailing off of The Murder Capital's new record Blindness, ‘A Distant Life’ and its bouncy guitar riffs, nostalgia-filled melodies and soft lyricism make for a track that is as longing as it is hopeful – the perfect recipe for a head-bobbing and incredibly memorable tune.

Speaking on their collaboration with Grammy-award winning producer John Congleton on the new album, frontman James McGovern says: “He wanted us not to start demo-ing or layering any tracks, just phone-record everything. That way, by the time we got to the studio, no song was suffocated by what it needed to be, it was about what the song could become.”

Dr Strangely Strange, ‘Drive ‘em Down’

60s Irish psych-folk group Dr Strangely Strange are returning with the track ‘Drive ‘em Down’, hailing from their upcoming album Anti-Inflammatory, due out on April 4. With its intricate guitar riffs and deliciously bright melodies, the tune offers an enticing look into the upcoming return of Irish experimental music icons. Accompanying the release, the band have hinted at a possible show in De Barra's in Clonakilty on March 28, although no official information has been released yet. 

Kbob, ‘Fixation’

An invigorating and atmospheric electronic tune, Dublin-born musician Kbob’s ‘Fixation’ is techno-filled number lined with heavy bass, enigmatic melodies and intoxicatingly hard-hitting beats. With its almost mystical quality, reinforced by the repetitiveness of its synths, the track evokes stroboscopic lights and late night obsessions.

Lara Fitzsimons, ‘Smoking Room’

Emerging Dublin artist Lara has shared her captivating single ‘Smoking Room’. Inspired by the likes of The Cranberries and Cocteau Twins, the new track tugs on its listeners heartstrings, delving into the reality of navigating the world of love and relationships as a young adult in Dublin. Speaking about the single, Lara shared: “It's almost like an anti-Valentine's Day anthem for me. I hope the listeners connect with the story and embrace making a holy show of themselves with me. That's my goal!” With impressive vocals, electric guitars and cleverly humorous lyricism, ‘Smoking Room’ launches Lara into the music-sphere.

Bowden, ‘Be Your Own God’

Bowden, an alt-rock band from Cork, released their new single ‘Be Your Own God’ today. With a hard-hitting bass and striking guitar, the track reminds listeners of their inner power.

“This song reflects a deep sense of isolation, of drifting without anchor as familiar structures of community and connections fade. It speaks to uncertainty, whether struggling to find a place to call home, questioning your future, or feeling the weight of a world that seems utterly indifferent," the band said.

The bridge builds into an exciting release, with frontman Padraig Dempsey repeating the line, “Hell is in me.” Compelling and vivid, the track builds excitement for their upcoming debut album Glacier, out May 9.

The Violet Breaks, ‘Haradashi’

Dublin alternative band The Violet Breaks have shared their latest third single ‘Haradashi’, an uplifting track that channels Arctic Monkeys and Libertines style guitar and bass. As the group gears up for the forthcoming release of their debut album Triple Volt, singer Eoghan explains “Haradashi was written during a particularly difficult time. It acknowledges that, even after the darkest of nights, the sun will rise again”. The track boasts a contagious optimism, a driving rhythm section, and a thrilling guitar solo which supports its climax.

Gerr Walsh, ‘When The Stars Don’t Work’

Dublin artist Gerr Walsh released his new single ‘When The Stars Don’t Work’ – out today. With inspiration from Ron Sexsmith, Prefab Sprout and The Blue Nile, the melodic track invites listeners into a misty world of their own.

The song explores parental love, and the lasting-legacy family holds even after their passing. Tender and introspective, the songs guitar and starry percussion serve to uplift Walsh’s earnest lyricism. Layered vocals create a dreamy atmosphere, highlighting the indie-folk artist’s refreshing voice.

Gush, ‘Like That’

Released on Thursday, Belfast’s alternative-rock band Gush dropped their commanding new single ‘Like That.’

Lead singer ​​Chelsea Andrews delivered an absolutely stellar performance, with guttural vocals driving home the track’s angsty feel. The eclectic guitar and heart-thumping bass added to this effect, deriving clear inspiration from grunge and punk-rock. Reminiscent of their 2024 EP Exposure Therapy, ‘Like That’ adds to the band’s well-developed sound. Shot and edited by Ebony Alexander, an accompanying music video for the song is available on YouTube now.

Fans can see Gush at Dublin’s Bello Bar next Thursday.

RVE, ‘Candles’

Irish and Argentinian alternative-indie duo RVE have shared the first release from their upcoming 4-track debut EP Howlin’. The new single, ‘Candles’, is driven by delicate vocals, haunting melodies and poetic lyricism. Capturing the emotional turbulence of release, the track navigates doubt, the past, and pulling up roots. Possessing an ethereal quality, ‘Candles’ is a cathartic listening experience with powerful instrumentation backing it. Half of the duo, Rae, describes the track: "This song is about finally closing the door on something that’s weighed you down. It’s about acceptance, release, and the quiet strength that comes from truly
moving on”.

Bríd Lyons, ‘Mothlight’

Musically exploring the beauty of nature and the complexity of the human experience, Kilkenny folk singer-songwriter Bríd Lyons has shared her latest stunning release ‘Mothlight’. Telling the narrative of a love both distant and deeply intertwined, the folk ballad captures the delicate tension between yearning and connection, all written with a raw vulnerability. The melancholic track is cloaked in a mysterious ambiance, and is anchored by an atmospheric arrangement, featuring fiddle accompaniment by Jayne Pomplas.

The Null Club, ‘Slip Angle’ feat. Valentine Caulfield

Gilla Band guitarist Alan Duggan Borges launches his new project The Null Club with the fantastical, techno-inspired track ‘Slip Angle’, released in collaboration with Valentine Caulfield of Mandy, Indiana. Experimental, hard-hitting and deliciously uncanny, the track’s breathtakingly heavy production and its spoken, French language vocals offer the perfect intoxicating late-night club fuel.

Speaking of his collaboration with Valentine, Alan explains: "This would be the most techno inspired track. I tried to mix techno and noise with this one. I first saw Mandy, Indiana in Manchester at the psych fest in 2021. We managed to say hello, and from there I reached out to Val to see if she would be interested in working on the track.

“Thankfully she was into it. I sent her on the instrumental and she came back with rough vocals using the mic from headphones for phones. We re-recorded the vocals in her home in Manchester in 2021 surrounded by her cats, but actually kept some of the headphone takes in the track."

WineMom, ‘Butterscotch Vibes’

Hot For 2025 darlings WineMom return today with their brand new single ‘Butterscotch Vibes’, a warm and groovy number of sulphurous guitar riffs and delicately layered vocals, affirming the band’s capacity to alternate between earth-shattering energy and languorous and soulful soundscapes.

Maria Somerville, ‘Garden’

Coming ahead of Maria Somerville’s upcoming record Luster, ‘Garden’ is an intoxicating tune filled with velvety vocals, dreamy bass lines and carefully layered ambient soundscapes, making for a track that is as nostalgic and longing as it is transportive and haunting.

KOPIUM ‘No Thorns’

The third single off of HAIL THE GHOST’s frontman’s KOPIUM’s upcoming debut album The Weeping Willow, ‘No Thorns’ is a mellow yet incredibly transporting ballad, both reflective and conversational in nature. With the musician’s buttery-smooth voice and the warmth of the song’s arrangements, ‘No Thorns’ makes for a poignant and terribly exciting new number from the Irish musician and actor. 

Bernard-M, ‘Why Now’

A high energy mix of drum and bass, rap and hard-hitting vocals, Bernard M’s ‘Why Now’ is about those moments where you're questioning everything comes into question and the attempt at finding clarity. A raw and emotional release, the song is lined with a smooth but powerful chorus and chaotic bursts of rap bars against breathtaking beats.

Mr Billy Fitzgerald, 'Work For It'

Dublin based Indie-Pop artist Mr Billy Fitzgerald releases his brand new bouncy single ‘Work For It’, a cheerful, 80s inspired pop track of manic guitar riffs and upbeat melodies, juxtaposed with lyrics which explore “a love song via Stockholm syndrome, being made to feel like everything’s your fault when you’re the one hurting.”

Iona Zajac, ‘Summer'

Scottish Dublin-based artist Iona Zajac today releases her reflective new single ‘Summer’, a gently somber tune of longing acoustic guitars and ethereal, breathy vocals which give the track a ghostly quality, before the addition of quiet bass adds a heaviness and a gloomy hopefulness to the song. "It is a song for those dreaming of better days,” says Zajac, “of wars to end, of lovers to return, of heads to leave the fog. And when Summer finally comes, we might have found enough strength from the bad to make it last."

Dotwork, ‘Red Dress’

Cork alt-rockers Dotwork have put out their hard-hitting debut single ‘Red Dress’, a powerful and mysterious rock number filled with unforgettable hooks and reflective, distinctive lyricism, offering an enticing first look into the band’s gritty and punchy upcoming musical work.

Projective, ‘Pocket’

R&B band Projective dropped their song ‘Pocket’ today, delivering audiences a melodic and soulful new track.

“It’s a song about needing to break out of harmful patterns in your life and take some control back. It can also speak to how somebody needs to be the first person to be proactive in all sorts of relationships, otherwise things can turn sour due to a lack of action from either side,” the band explained.

Opening with a delightful piano melody, the song quickly explodes with a jazzy drumline and soft vocals. Despite working in flawless harmony, the band revealed ‘Pocket’ was the first song they ever wrote together.

“The track is like a pep talk to ourselves to remind us that we need to stop procrastinating on life things when taking action would improve the situation. Musically we wanted it to be quite hypnotic. The instrumental is a canvas for the lyrics and melodies to do their thing,” they said.

DUG, ‘Wheel of Fortune’

It’s no secret that DUG - Lorkin O’Reilly and Jonny Pickett - know how to craft catharsis with a slick folk backing. Their latest single ‘Wheel of Fortune’ offers no exception.

While their debut single ‘Jubilee’ relishes in the joy of life, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ takes a more pragmatic approach, as O’Reilly croons: “This is leaving and returning, this is losing and relearning. This is never quite exactly as you planned.”

The track was produced by Belfast singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside, who also features on vocals and fiddle. Further teasing out the trad folk soundscape, DUG enlisted the TU Dublin choir, which grants the track an ethereal, atmospheric effect.

Amano, ‘Burn’

Killarney songsmith Amano makes a long-awaited return with her first release in over a decade.

‘Burn’ is an incandescent offering, an indie-folk coming of age anthem that encompasses a yearning for self-liberation from the suffocating confines of small-town life.

With a soaring vocal performance from Amano, the track maintains a velveteen soundscape which features a shimmering dulcimer, uilleann pipe swells, lush strings, mesmeric guitar work and crystalline percussion. ‘Burn’ sees Amano at her best. Get it while it’s hot!

Belters Only & Jazzy, ‘High In The Moment’

DJ duo Belters Only united with Jazzy to release the new dance track, ‘High In The Moment.’ Full of bass and dynamic sound, Jazzy’s rich vocal performance fills the song with life.

Belters Only has worked with Jazzy in the past, with 2021 debut single ‘Make Me Feel Good.’ ‘High In The Moment’ adds to this legacy, expanding upon the artists well developed sound.

Belters Only are set to perform at 3Arena tomorrow.

Chalk, ‘Pool Scene’

Belfast post-punk band Chalk dropped the track ‘Pool Scene’ off their new EP Conditions III, out today.

“Conditions III is the last instalment of the Conditions Trilogy,” the band said. “These 4 songs represent the end of a chapter in our musical journey as Chalk. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved on this release as it proved to be the most challenging one for us. We hope these tracks can strengthen the connection between us and all of you even further.”

Haunting and ambient, ‘Pool Scene’ begins with Ross Cullen’s dreamy vocal performance. Roughly half-way in, the song builds into an electronic soundscape, repeating the line “Without you I’ll never learn.” Dynamic and compelling, Chalk are certainly ones to watch.

Lõwli, ‘Undone’

Composer and singer-songwriter Lōwli is back with ‘Undone’, a hauntingly beautiful single of cinematic proportions.

By fusing rich, neo-classical textures with a delicate pop soundscape, ‘Undone’ ferments an otherworldly offering from the outset. Gossamer keys sit alongside mesmeric strings and the singer’s hypnotic vocals to craft an undeniably ethereal sound.

“‘Undone’ explores those moments in life when things seem to be moving backwards and progress begins to unravel,” Lōwli says. “The tone is dark and reflective, with ethereal and hopeful moments. This balance symbolises that the feeling is temporary, that things will always change”.

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