New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Lankum, 'Newcastle'

Dublin-based group Lankum released their new album False Lankum today, bringing some groundbreaking Irish sounds to the masses. The band released their latest single 'Newcastle' on March 22nd, a few days before the album, via Rough Trade Records.

Lankum explained that 'Newcastle' has a fascinating backstory: "We learned this song from Seán Fitzgerald of The Deadlians, whose mother Pauline sang it to him as a child. The tune was first published in ‘The English Dancing Master’ (1651) where it is simply entitled ‘Newcastle’, while the words may be related to a broadside ballad printed in 1620 and entitled ‘The contented Couckould'."

There are only a few tickets left for the award-winning group's April/May tour!

Pastiche, 'Appetite'

Singer-songwriter Pastiche released her new single 'Appetite' today. With a sleek and sparkly sound, the enticing pop track ushers in a new era for Pastiche.

'Appetite' deals with darker themes lurking just beneath. On the track, Pastiche sings about the fantasy of gender role reversal in a world where women are seen as prey. The single was inspired by the 2009 cult classic film Jennifer's Body.

"The track is full of cannibalistic imagery, not only paying homage to Jennifer's Body, but also exploring how women are seen as meat in this animalistic world. I think all women from any background can relate to this feeling," Pastiche says of the song.

FYA FOX,'Ghost'

After making it onto our 'Hot For 2022' list, the alt-pop singer Fya Fox hasn't taken a backseat, instead returning with her single 'Ghost'. Released on Wednesday, the song marks her first drop of 2023.

In 'Ghost', Fox meditates on the breakdown of a relationship and her reluctance to let go.

"And I’m not letting go/ And that may be reckless but damn/ I feel right, I feel right at home", Fox sings with silky smooth vocals.

While growing as a songwriter, the artist has been focusing on protecting her worth as a creative individual, and has moved in a new direction with the release of ‘Ghost’.

clay pigeon shooting, 'i win!'

Clay pigeon shooting released their highly-anticipated second single, 'i win' today. It's a hard-hitting, groove-infused anthem that enthralls the listener with its powerful vocals and driving beat. The track was released in conjunction with the band's upcoming headlining show at The Grand Social in Dublin on March 25th.

'i win!' comes with weighted bass lines, rolling drums, and some catchy, drunken guitar lines. The song was produced in Drogheda‘s Jejune Studios by Daniel De Burca. It explores a downward spiral, playing with irony in its tongue-in-cheek telling of Irish binge-drinking culture.

"My pint arrives, and I take a sip, Guinney golf has proved me champ, I win!," they sing, as the confidence of the intoxicated narrator continues to grow. "Another sip, I tell a lie, my proud talk to stout talk dies, another sip outside my mouth, I tried. Why won‘t you let me win?"

Niall McDowell, 'I Have Given Up'

Niall McDowell shared his first release of 2023, a new single called 'I Have Given Up' on Wednesday. Produced by Chris Ryan (Robocobra Quartet, NewDad) the song was written as a reflection on the scariest aspect of existing in the music industry: "What if it doesn‘t work?"

“The song feels like I acknowledge what I’m doing,” Niall says. “It feels like a risk creatively, to put yourself out there. And it’s a bit of a tongue-in-cheek way of thinking about my place as a musician in society."

The track features instrumentation by Danny Carroll and marks McDowell‘s first release since his It Was An Honour To Be Nominated EP in 2022.

Victoria Johnston, 'Forever (In The End)'

Today independent singer-songwriter Victoria Johnston released the lead single 'Forever (In The End)' from her forthcoming debut album, Where The Lights Glow. On the track, Victoria combines pop and Irish influences in her own style, which is often described as "Ellie Goulding meets Kate Bush".

Speaking about the new single, the award-winning musician said: "We all have moments in life where we are at a bit of a crossroads, wondering what’s the next step to take, having to make decisions, and wondering how something is going to work out. In the process, we can spend a lot of time waiting for the answer… and often the eventual outcome is worth the wait! I hope that people find this song a positive and encouraging anthem about dreaming big, believing in yourself, and during times of uncertainty or waiting… having confidence that something good is on its way."

Orwells '84, 'Tomorrow (Maybe I'll Feel Alright)'

'Tomorrow (Maybe I'll Feel Alright)' is the new single from alternative-folk band Orwells '84. The release is the second one from the band's upcoming debut album, The Crucible, which is set for release this spring/summer.

Orwell '84's new track is infectious, with its uplifting beat bringing a sense of hope and a new day following heartbreak. The memorable chorus and the beautiful arrangement of instruments help to create the unique and distinctive sound of the band.

'Tomorrow (Maybe I'll Feel Alright)' is a love letter to the past with the hope that everything will be better tomorrow.

Krea, 'Don't Tell Me'

Karen Cowley, also known as Irish singer-songwriter Krea, released her latest single, 'Don't Tell Me,' this week.

The release follows the singer's major success in the Irish music scene, having previously released two No. 1 albums as part of the indie band Wyvern Lingo.

Krea‘s soulful take on the classic Madonna track comes in a minimal way with splashes of harp, guitars, and the singer‘s signature style.

Speaking about 'Don't Tell Me', she says, "I love this era of Madonna, so many brilliant melodies and slightly strange concepts and lyrics. While recording the EP, I wanted to try this cover, but we were short on time, so we had to record the keys, vocals, bass, and drums live together at 1am. I love what we ended up with."

Rowdy Outsider, '2 Dead Cats'

Rowdy Outsider are known for their rebellious attitude and inimitable punk / alternative rock style. The band from Drogheda released their new single '2 Dead Cats' today. Exploring hopelessness and the brave face we all put on at some point in our lives, the track is a blunt statement about the loss of two beloved pets and the trauma that was left behind

"Lyrically, the 2 DEAD CATS personify a deteriorating mental state. The first verse deals with the effect social media can have on the grieving process. When you see something you don’t want to see because people can post whatever they want, without thinking of the consequences for others,“ the band says.

"The second verse screams the hopelessness of having a smile on your face while behind your eyes is falling apart, where everyone makes it worse and no one can help," they continued, mentioning that it's the first time Rowdy Outsider allows themselves "to show anger in [their] music and embrace the sound that comes with it."

A.S. Fanning, 'Mushroom Cloud'

On Wednesday, A.S. Fanning shared the first track, 'Mushroom Cloud' from their upcoming self-titled album. The record will be released on Sunday 26 March via K&F Records/Proper Octopus Records, embracing a style that's reminiscent of the sounds of The National, Nick Cave, and Scott Walker.

"Written about the breakdown of a relationship in the midst of the paranoia and anxiety of the pandemic, Mushroom Cloud showcases Fanning‘s poetically poignant lyricism effortlessly, with his impassioned baritone vocal at the forefront throughout," A.S. Fanning says about the song. "Combining elements of folk-rock and baroque-pop, Mushroom Cloud creates an eclectic blend of mesmerising melancholy."

Chalk, 'Asking'

Ahead of the release of Chalk‘s debut EP, Conditions, the Irish band recently shared their new single, 'Asking'. The track continues the band's cinematic themes, basking in the hardstyle/electronic influences of artists like Death Grips and The Murder Capital. 'Asking' was produced with their frequent collaborator Chris Ryan (NewDad, Enola Gay, Just Mustard) to create a distorted and buzzing acoustic sound.

Speaking about the latest single, Ross Cullen of Chalk said, "We all wrote the lyrics together. It’s a reaction to feelings of ours that look at the past and a longing for others who aren’t in your life anymore. How we grow as people and those we leave behind as a result. We wanted 'Asking' to follow the recollection of someone whose memories are fading when trying to remember about someone in the past."

The trio's debut EP Conditions releases on 5th of May and will be followed by a UK and Ireland tour. The tour, which begins on May 6th in Glasgow, will also stop in Dublin, London, Manchester, and Belfast. Tickets for the upcoming shows can be purchased here.

A Lethal Black Ooze, 'I Like to Feel Alright'

The Irish garage/punk band A Lethal Black Ooze just shared their debut single, 'I Like to Feel Alright'. To mark the debut, Black Ooze shared a high-quality music video directed, edited, and shot by Garr Cleary. The track is the first of four singles from the band‘s upcoming self-titled EP, set to drop in full in Q4 2023.

The three piece band is led by singer Andy McGurk and made up of a revolving door of his close friends. On the background of the song, Andy stated: "During the pandemic, having nowhere to go, I got into the habit of writing lyrics on the foggy door while wasting time in the shower. This song sticks out particularly as the shower door had just enough space to write ‘I Like to Feel Alright’ on it."

The accompanying music video for the single was shot and directed by Garr Cleary and stars Eoin Duffy, known for his leading role in the 2021 Horror/Comedy flick 'Let The Wrong One In'. "The shoot was great craic!" Eoin spoke of his involvement in the music video. "I’m delighted with what Garr captured, and he’s done an incredible job! He forced me to do a naked shower scene against my will, and for that, I’ll see them all in court. Thanks to A Lethal Black Ooze for having me."

The Cope, 'Oíche'

"At the end of the March we will release something big which we’ve been working on for almost a year and which we’re incredibly proud of," The Cope teases their new project. As a first taste of what is to come, the band released their new track 'Oíche' today. The song embodies a period of transition for the band, marking a bit of a shift in tone from their previous releases.

'Oíche' features vocals from Carlsbad and was written, produced, and recorded by the band in The Clinic Recording Studios. With a relaxing but also captivating electronic sound, the listeners get caught in the dreamy world of the song, which is accompanied by synthesisers playing smooth shifting chord progressions.

The Cope name their latest track, 'Oíche' as the first piece of the puzzle to their upcoming project, while the second piece will follow in the form of their next single, 'Back on My Bullshit', due out on March 31st.

David Kitt, 'Wave of Peace'

Irish singer-songwriter David Kitt recently shared his new single 'Wave of Peace' from his upcoming LP Idiot Check. The track features "some delectable drumming from Dylan Lynch of Soda Blonde and swoony singing from Katie Kim and Margie Jean Lewis," Kitt says.

Because the song has a different mood than the album, it was originally planned that it would not appear on the album. Even though many people liked it, the song found its way onto the record, and now it "works as an epilogue or coda a bit like in films when they do the six months later thing and suburbs are all leafy again and spring is in the air."

Post-Party X Paul Kennedy, 'Talkin' About (Remix)'

Northern Irish DJ Paul Kennedy recently teamed up with Post-Party to remix their hit 'Talkin' About'. In the new version, Kennedy combines indie-dance and piano-house elements with Jamie XX's signature break-beat style to deliver a refreshing take on the song.

Post-Party‘s original song was released on Monday, March 13. It's the band’s statement of intent as they march towards the release of their highly anticipated debut EP in May.

The remix takes the funk and new wave elements of 'Talkin' About' and adds a much poppier and more electronic vibe, conveying the feelings of summertime, sunshine, and good weather.

Ryan Sheridan, 'Love and War'

As a singer, songwriter, and producer, Ryan Sheridan became a successful platinum-selling recording artist who recently shared his highly anticipated new single, 'Love and War'. Sheridan recently announced his third studio album, of which "Love & War" is a first preview of Sheridan's new sound.

Speaking about the track, Sheridan said, "I had written 'Love and War' at a time of uncertainty and self-doubt. It's a song about overcoming adversity. The demo had sat on my hard drive for a long time, and I hadn't actually thought about fully producing and releasing the song until now. It is the first single release of a new sound and direction for me as we work towards a new album."

1000 Beasts & Malaki, 'Brigitte Bardot'

Cian Sweeny, an Irish singer and producer, has released his new single 'Brigitte Bardot' as part of his collaboration project 1000 Beasts today. The song features Dublin hip-hop artist Malaki and is the second one being shared from his upcoming sophomore album.

"With its blend of classic hip-hop beats and extensive sampling, the track takes listeners on a journey through the ups and downs of a disastrous date, culminating in some burnt pancakes, Dutch Gold, and a less than perfect evening," it says in press materials. The concept behind 1000 Beasts is similar to that of Gorillaz. One producer who writes and collaborates with different artists (the "beasts") on each track to create music greater than the sum of its parts. As a result, Cian previously collaborated with artists such as Laura Elizabeth Hughes, Kayleigh Noble, Alex Tierney, and Céila Tiab.

 

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Cruachan, 'The Crow'

Folk-metal/celtic-metal band Cruachan, regarded as one of the genre's forefathers, have released their 12-track album The Living and The Dead today. With acoustic guitars playing alongside a fiddle, 'The Crow' at first seems to stand out from the other hard and strumming metal songs. After the soft intro, the track takes a turn for a much more dramatic feel with heavy riffs and an energetic and powerful atmosphere.

The Living and the Dead is considered Cruachan's most powerful work to date. The album features a pleasing mix of traditional tracks with violins and acoustic guitars, as well as songs with a more riff-heavy drive, allowing the band to show their metal side.

Dublin-based Cruachan have been active since the early '90s and were among the first to combine traditional Irish folk music with the darker setting of black metal. The band has since released eight studio albums and performed several sold-out shows. The band's current lineup includes founder Keith Fay, bassist Joe Farrell, violinist Audrey Trainor, guitarist David Quinn, and drummer Tom Woodlock.

Nell Mescal, 'In My Head'

Along with a brand new music video, the Irish singer-songwriter Nell Mescal released her anticipated third single 'In My Head' today. It was shared through LAB Records and is "about searching for a love you had in the past, a feeling you‘re never sure you‘ll find again so you seek comfort in relationships," Nell explains.

Dora Paphides directed the music video, which features the 19-year-old Maynooth singer performing the song in evocative settings. Nell said about the single: “It’s about thinking that it must always be your fault and eventually leading to resentment towards the other person. We all have that person we look back on and miss, this track captures the moment they slip into your head”.

Nell recently announced a UK & Ireland tour, with special guest Birdy performing at some shows. The tour kicks off in London on April 23rd and will include stops in Dublin, Glasgow, Bristol, Nottingham, and many other cities.

Watch Nell Mescal's music video for 'In My Head' below:

The Remedy Club, 'Roll With It'

The Remedy Club's new single 'Roll With It' takes on the challenges that life throws at you and creates a unique style with elements from soul and roots music.

The track is taken from Remedy Club‘s upcoming third album, Back To You, and features Aongus Ralston (The Waterboys), Paul Binzer Brennan (The Frames), Van Morrison’s brass section: Michael Buckley and Ronan Dooney, as well as Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kyshona Armstrong on backing vocals.

"The song is about defying the naysayers and overcoming any obstacles, both self-imposed and from the outside world no matter the odds," it says in press materials. The track was recorded and co-produced by Gavin Glass in Wexford‘s Orphan Studios.

Skies Behind, 'Ghost'

On Monday, Cork-based indie rockers Skies Behind released their new single 'Ghost'. Built on the raw emotion and energy of alternative rock, the band‘s new single is an infectious indie rock anthem with impressive riffs. As greater influence Skies Behind names bands such as Loathe and NewDad, which inspired them in the making of ‚Ghost‘.

"We can never move on / We're stuck in the past / The feeling is wrong / But you want it to last," frontman Dan Sheedy sings on 'Ghost'. Lyrically, the song explores how looking back on the past can be reassuring but also intoxicatingly harmful, while also reminding us that returning to how things were is never possible and prevents us from growing.

Listen to their new single 'Ghost' below:

Martin Hayes & the Common Ground Ensemble, 'Peggy's Dream'

Martin Hayes, widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the world of Irish traditional music, has released a new album, Peggy's Dream, with his Common Ground Ensemble today.

With The Common Ground Ensemble Hayes aimed to create an ensemble of musicians from different backgrounds who also have connections to Irish music. Hayes considers: "I’ve usually tended to gather a group of people together and just see what begins to emerge."

"One of my goals is also to create space and opportunity for all the different musical personalities, styles and genres to be freely expressed within this band. I feel that the ensemble’s potential is best realised when the totality of each musicians capacity and musical personality can be fully utilised and freely expressed."

Listen to 'Peggy's Dream' below:

Offica, 'Dedication'

Irish hip-hop artist and rapper Offica has today released his latest single 'Dedication'. The track comes with a modern drill sound that underpins the artist's voice. 'Dedication' was produced and co-written by C-Dot.

In addition to the song, a new music video will be released today at 6pm. His most recent songs have already  been majorly successful and streamed thousands of times. 'Dedication' promises to be another hit for the Irish rapper.

Watch the music video‘s premiere below:

Fortune Igiebor, 'THINK ABOUT IT'

Dublin-based producer and vocalist Fortune Igiebor is known for his eccentric genius and unique take on the Irish hip-hop scene. On his new single 'Think About It' the rapper collaborated with Danzi and Jafaris, both featured on the song. While being produced with modern drums and synthesisers, 'Think About It' has a beat that sounds like it came straight out of the early 2000s.

The hard-hitting single follows tracks like 'Piss In The Corner', 'THE PRAYER' and 'ALL MY LOVE'. Fortune Igiebor's 'Think About It' has a gritty beat with hard bass on which the rappers show off their flow technique.

JustG, 'My Love'

JustG's new single 'My Love' has a fiery and energetic sound that is ready to be the next club anthem. The infectious beat of the feel-good dance pop single released today will have you grooving from start to finish. With its catchy melody and high energy, the song quickly lifts your mood and is thus likely to become the next hit from the rising producer.

The DJ and producer had his breakthrough after creating remixes of popular tracks like Alan Walker‘s 'Faded', Zarah Larsson's 'Lush Life' and Post Malone's hit song 'Rockstar'. After taking a break from producing music to focus on his DJ career, JustG returned to the studio in 2021 to work on new material. With his infectious beats, melodic hooks, and impeccable production skills, JustG is quickly becoming one of the most exciting electronic music artists to emerge from Ireland in recent years.

Listen to JustG‘s new track, My Love‘ below:

Jealous of the Birds, 'Morse Code'

Hotly tipped songwriter Naomi Hamilton just released her new single 'Morse Code' as part of her project Jealous of the Birds. In 2016, the alt-folk/post-punk project's debut album, Parma Violets, was shared. Since Jealous of the Birds performed several live shows, including a gig at Radio 1's Big Weekend on the BBC Introducing Stage 2016, SXSW in Texas 2017, and the support of Elbow Live at the Marquee Festival in Cork, Ireland.

"I’ve stung like the nettles that line the backyard / and feigned things were easy when in fact they were hard. Been burned before, but I hide where I’m charred / I’m a red fox in the snow and I’ll run,“ Hamilton sings in the song.Released only one day ago, the song already receives a lot of recognition from the listeners.

Ceithre Cinn, 'If you Send for Me'

After just a single day of recording at Matt McGinn‘s home studio, Irish quartet collective Ceithre Cinn have released their second single, 'If You Send For Me'. The track follows the bands debut song, 'True Love' which was released back in 2021.

Before finishing their latest track, the four members spent a half-day planning, writing, and recording. Ceithre Cinn said, "It’s amazing what can happen when the four of us are in the room...what starts out as a conversation amongst friends ends up a moment captured in song."

This raw nature of capturing a song is fast becoming a staple of the formidable sound of the relatively new musical collective.

Listen to our New Irish Songs playlist below: