F3miii, 'FROM YOUR EYES'

We haven't heard solo tunes from the Dublin-raised production maestro since 2022's 'in your eyes', but 'FROM YOUR EYES' is well worth the wait. Fusing the hazy dance beats of Kaytranada with the soulful vocals of Frank Ocean, the slick track is a summer anthem for the ages. Choral harmonies and electronic flourishes provide an epic sonic backdrop to F3miii's warm vocal acrobatics. "I would really like to know more 'bout you and 'bout your soul, won't you let me know?" he sings, his voice warped atop of warm house beats that reverberate around your head in the best possible way. The artist and mixing engineer, who flicks between London and Dublin, worked on the new KhakiKid x CARSTEN2X single 'switching tongues', which also dropped this week. His production skills have no bounds, but his potential as a solo artist is just as exciting. Stay tuned for more bangers from the young Renaissance man.

Qbanaa, 'Shrink'

Returning this year with 'Rise Above' after 2022's soulful 'Truth and Desire', 'Shrink' is an almost drum 'n' bass meets R&B gem, showing off her honey-toned vocals. "I was never good at dealing with emotions, I wish I wasn't so angry," she states. "And if you're not laughing you're crying, no one likes it when you say you're trying, but just smile... Fusing dance-type, frenetic beats with luscious vocal power, her confessional earworms build to a natural high on the epic chorus. Backed by falsetto harmonies to fill out her sound, the Cuban-Irish soul singer embraces electronic elements instead of her jazz-driven background and aural cultural fusions. She sounds magnetic throughout, mingling harp strings with an authenticity that stops you in your tracks.

Essiray, 'Crush'

We've heard from the pop singer-songwriter and Dublin producer already this year with 'Floating Up', but 'Crush' is a fun-filled, ode to the excitement of feeling a rush of emotions for someone new, no matter how fleeting or whether you act on the yearning. "It's a long time since I felt butterflies, I've been protecting my space / Pretty eyes often lie, gotta watch out for myself, 'cause I'd be rushing in," she starts. "And I see that look, teach me like a textbook, I wanna feel something new / Wrap around my little finger, I'll make a promise or two," she sings. It traces infatuation, but without the knowledge of whether it's reciprocated or not. It's the thrill of potential for starting something new, with fresh guitar chords and layered vocals creating a breezy, playful track.

Credit: Instagram/@sadhbh.whitty.

KhakiKid x CARSTEN2X, 'switching tongues'

Abdu Huss, aka KhakiKid, made waves in Dublin with previous CARSTEN2X track 'Underbite' earlier this year. Now he is aiming to take it up another notch with 'switching tongues'. "This song is so special to me and every listen and share would mean the world," the alternative hip-hop artist posted on Instagram this week. "I’m so proud of Carsten 2x and F3miii for all the work that was put in to it. Also - this is the first single off my next EP sand bebé, dropping august 4th."

'switching tongues' is a deeply personal track from the Irish talent, featuring a warm acoustic guitar foundation, soulful harmonies, textured vocals from CARSTEN2X and diaristic flows from KhakiKid. "You be the death of me, that's fine I know I'll die well / You said that you're meant for me but I know that you lie well," the rapper declares on 'switching tongues'. "...leave when I need you the most, oh you know me so well."

Frank Zing, 'Like You Said You Would'

The soulful pairing of Rob de Boer and Chris Wong have released their second single, complete with a music video directed by Berlin-based creative Aoife Leonard and Rob de Boer. The visuals feature Nigerian-born Ireland-based dancer Mufutau 'Junior' Yusuf and Caoimhe Coburn Gray as two lovers struggling to reconcile the hurt and sorrow they have caused each other throughout the course of the relationship. Frank Zing's sound leans more towards electronic, with synths and a rhythm section complimented by horns and vocals in falsetto. Lucy Bowen also helped bring the video concept to life, with choreography from Douglas Reddan.

"We wrote this song after a deep discussion about the mixture of emotions felt when a relationship ends," Frank Zing said in a press release. "The remorse felt towards that person, but then a longing to know that they're doing ok. Those times when you want to hate them but you simply can't at the end of the day."

Lucy Gaffney, 'Just Friends'

The Liverpool-based Irish singer-songwriter's new single is taken from her new EP, Daydream In Tokyo - out 29th September via Nettwerk. ‘Just Friends’ explores the curious, often unpredictable relationship between love and belonging, connection and becoming. The indie-pop jam references Liverpool locations Prince's Park and Hope Street, noting her fresh start in the city, while admitting that new places often breed loneliness at first. There's an undeniable thrill at being completely anonymous in a city. To record her EP, Gaffney flew to the Isle Of Lewis in Scotland to record at Black Bay Studios with her brother Thom Southern and London-based producer Duncan Mills.

“‘Just Friends’ started out as a kind of dreamy love song before becoming a love song to a city. I was quite sad when I wrote this,” Gaffney says of the magnetic single, out today. “I had moved to Liverpool on my own to a new apartment. I didn’t know anyone there at the time so I felt completely isolated. This song is about allowing yourself the time to understand where you are."

Photo credit: Charlotte Patmor.

Fizz, 'Hell Of A Ride’

The London-based band have unveiled their second single - a testament to the fear of growing up and facing adulthood. Dodie, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac and Martin Luke Brown are following up on their debut ‘High In Brighton’, with both songs featuring on their upcoming album The Secret To Life, due for release on 15th September via Decca Records. Their new single involves Martin Luke Brown’s unique vocals accompanied by a fiery, strong bassline and choral harmonies at the bridge. The versatility of the band and willingness to share the vocal spotlight should be commended.

“Getting older is scary; getting older when the world is burning down around you is even scarier,” they say of the track. “Written in LA and recorded in Devon (that classic trajectory) ‘Hell Of A Ride’ is our apocalyptic banger, fronted daringly by Martin. Armed with a combination of “fuck it” and a good old bout of cynicism, this part of the story has us screaming on the front lines entering the warzone that is adulthood.”

Tebi Rex, 'People Pleaser'

The alternative hip-hop duo made up of Matt Ó and Max Zanga recently returned with the confident (or is it #delulu?) single 'IMTHEBEST', but their new offering takes a U-turn. Hoping to reveal a deeper perspective, 'People Pleaser' exposes their clingy side and their struggles to fit in. The duo explore everything in their life that makes them laugh and 'People Pleaser' is Tebi Rex "at their most pathetic and desperate", as they declare, yet simultaneously at their most entertaining and relatable. They've also announced their brand new EP Sitcom, due to arrive this autumn. "I'd like to be the best, I'd like to be your friend, I'd like if I was normal - I'm not normal, I pretend," they sing on the opening verse, before Max Zanga starts his near-spoken word bars that read like a diary entry (Dafe the Duck, "snatched waist, serving cunt"). Lilting acoustic guitar chords provide warm foundations to the down-tempo track, which sees the pair take on a number of personas and confessions relating to insecurity, climate anxiety and the internet.

Niamh Bury, 'Beehive'

The folk music scene welcomes a fresh voice today with the release of debut single ‘Beehive’, from gifted singer-songwriter Niamh Bury. The release of ‘Beehive’ by Niamh Bury comes just a week after Claddagh Records shared experimental doom folk outfit ØXN’s debut single, ‘Love Henry’, heralding a new era for the iconic Irish label with music from its first new signings in almost two decades. 'Beehive' is about the way humans (and nature) organise and work together, classifying aspects of life into groups to make inroads. There's an organisation to the mass insanity, essentially. Her piercing voice immediately creates goosebumps. “Beehive is about the overlapping of myth, folk wisdom, and science,” said the singer. “It was inspired by a passage from a book I was reading about a tribe in the Amazon who say that the human brain is like a beehive – at once chaotic and intricately ordered.”

Niamh Bury
( Photo: Ellius Grace)

LARKS, 'Talking To Myself'

The Irish musician has unveiled her captivating new single, marking a standout voice and songwriting ability in the scene. 'Talking To Myself' offers a fresh twist on modern pop, deploying compelling beats, The xx-inspired lush guitar notes and sleek vocals. Tracing the space between dark-pop, alt-pop and indie with flavours of Maggie Rogers, Beck, and at times London Grammar, the track is her first since 2020's 'Last Christmas' and Hurt Me EP. "I don't see you anymore, 'cause we keep crying / I don't call you anymore, 'cause you keep lying / I never wanted any of this / I offered an olive branch, this is too heavy for it / Now we've left it too late to come back around again," she sings on the first verse, before an angelic chorus echoes Kate Bush and Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice. It's a painfully raw song tracing heartbreak and loss, and the spiral of grief. LARKS' ability to song write has been inspired by the greats (Leonard Cohen, The Beatles) and has developed over time. In 2022 LARKS recorded an EP, exploring the song-writing and production of new material with producer Daniel Ball.

Zrazy, 'Come On Ireland'

The new World Cup track also features President Michael D. Higgins and broadcaster and V-logger Shebahn Aherne – twin-sister of Ireland international, Ruesha Littlejohn. The infectiously catchy ‘Come On Ireland (Giving Us The Right To Dream)’ was written by Maria Walsh and recorded by Zrazy. The track is being released on the Hot Press Records label. The singer previously went to No.1 in Ireland with the hugely successful 1990 World Cup song, ‘Watch Your House (Ooh Ah, Paul McGrath)’, which featured a spoken word contribution from Paul McGrath – who was, for many, the leading light in an Irish team of real, top level stars. Zrazy are Maria Walsh and Carole Nelson.

“I really wanted the song to properly celebrate the extraordinary Irish women, who have represented us so powerfully on the world stage,” Maria Walsh says. “For so long Irish women were sidelined, but the success of our female heroes in sport has demonstrated just how profoundly wrong all of that was. And the Irish women’s football team are the latest – and potentially most far-reaching – expression of the reality that Irish women are entitled to equal respect and equal treatment in every aspect of Irish life, without exception."

N.O.A.H., 'Sour Kiss'

The Irish indie-rockers released three singles in 2022, following their brilliant Echoes of the Night EP the year prior. 'Sour Kiss' is a explosion of roaring rock riffs, a soaring chorus and powerful vocals. Formed by lifelong friends Ryan Hill, Adam Rooney, and Ronan Hynes in January 2020, N.O.A.H emerged amidst the global pandemic, releasing their debut single 'Shine' in 2020. Their evolution as a band is firmly on show with 'Sour Kiss', a single that dives deeper into their musical journey. Produced once again by the Grammy-winning Ruadhri Cushnan, the track boasts an energetic tempo, infectious hooks, and mesmerising surfer guitar riffs. 'Sour Kiss' at the core explores a toxic relationship, delving into themes of deception, emotional pain, and the transient nature of happiness. Catch their headline shows this year in Ireland, the UK, and Germany.

N.O.A.H by Niamh Barry.

Dylon Jack, 'Just Havin Fun'

Having dropped his addictive debut EP Something Not Quite Love earlier this year, indie-pop act Dylon Jack isn't slowing down anytime soon. 'Just Havin' Fun' is essentially an ode to casual sex or situationships. "When we wake we'll be strangers, it's a hit and run," he declares. Lyrics aside, the synths and choices of beats are infectious, building to a powerful crescendo on the catchy chorus, blending The 1975 with the likes of 49th & Main and Tom Grennan. Teaming up again with Adam Redmond on production, the pair have turned it up a notch to craft a summer bop. Fusing electric guitar riffs with some wavy synths and Dylon’s smooth vocals, the chorus sees him sign: “I wouldn’t call it love, we’re just havin’ fun”. It's a classic anthem to blast at the back of the bus heading into the night out. “The song itself is about having a friend with benefits, you’re both not looking for anything serious relationship wise or not looking to fall in love but you often find yourself in the position that you might meet up and have a bit of craic,” Dylon Jack explains.

Jossle, 'Nested'

Having released a smattering of singles over the last three years, the follow up to this year's 'All My Plants' is just as beautiful from Cork-born Joshua O’Leary. Kicking off with a hazy percussion beat before calm guitar noodling creates a hypnotic melody, Jossle's effortlessly soulful vocals are layered to stunning effect. "You were loud and I listened with content...my head rested in your chest," he describes. The London-based Irishman describes the flowers on a former partner's summer dress, and the contrast with the grassland where they sat for a picnic in Galway. It's essentially a portrait of a much-loved memory he treasures - an everyday vignette to some but a comforting image for the songwriter. "You were my first friend, I met you at the gateway / Kissed her on a bridge two years later..." He parallels the different stages of a breakup, with palpable sadness mingled with joyful nostalgia. “Nested’s title refers to having a certain idea or stubbornness of how events happened or should have happened in a relationship firmly rooted in my mind,” Jossle told The Line of Best Fit. Jossle’s debut EP Nested will be out on 26 July, following collaborations with NewDad and Baby Queen.

Saibh Skelly, 'SLY'

Fresh from the success of 'Superficial', Dublin teenager Saibh Skelly raises the stakes once again with the scintillating 'Sly'. Co-written and produced by Ash Howes (Gabrielle Aplin, Kylie) and Olivia Sebastianelli (Cosmic Gate, Purple Disco Machine), the modern pop single adds a twist to suit the candid honesty of the TikTok generation. Saibh Skelly recently supported Hozier at his recent quartet of Irish comeback shows, which coincided with the release of her first EP of self-written material, SAIBH X FIVE. 'Sly' takes a slight turn from her previous single, it heavily channels Olivia Rodrigo: "Caused me such confusion, I don't know who you are anymore, who you ever were," she sings. "Warning signs and red flags but now I've reconciled that I should have saved all my energy / You were a waste of time, 'cause I sort of pathetically thought you were mine." “When I play this song live, people go crazy for it," Skelly offers. "I think that’s because it’s one of the most relatable songs I’ve ever written. We’ve all met someone in our lives that's just not a very good person, someone that’s just a bit sly”

Saibh skelly.

Anna's Anchor, 'Listowel'

The Limerick indie outfit have just dropped their fourth album, The Merries, today via Strange Brew. Focus track ‘Listowel’ shines with hopeful urgency. Frontman Marty Ryan recalls what it was like to go with his first band to visit the punk scene in Listowel and Tralee, which had been cultivated by the group Blank. He was only 15 at the time, and the experience impressed on him that music is as much about connection with other people as it is about grand artistic ideas. “It was one of my first experiences of complete freedom,” he shares, and that reckless feeling is reflected in the acoustic guitar that kicks off the song and grows ever more fervent and summery." The Merries features Brian Scally on drums, Clare O’Brien on backing vocals, and a guest appearance from Hermitage Green’s Dermot Sheedy on Bodhrán. Catch the band performing the new album at the Róisín Dubh in Galway, The Workmans Cellar in Dublin, Debarra’s in Clonakilty, and Dolan’s Warehouse in their hometown this month.

Jillelli, 'Don't Leave The Party'

The Dublin producer and vocalist has shared an electro-pop soul song with an energetic, tropical feel, ‘Don’t Leave the Party’ encourages us to embrace our true desires, acting as a fluorescent follow up to her darker new wave inspired song 'Stoic'. A reminder of shimmering summer nights, the single utilises sultry melodies, rhythmic drums and unconventional guitar riffs throughout. Jillelli created the framework for the song in her home studio before working with Zimbabwean/Irish producer Kevin Brennan, where they then developed it into a fully-fledged synth-pop banger. The cover art for her fourth single to date was created by Irish collage artist Roisin Nolan, who used analogue materials to create the piece.

“I wanted this song to act as a reminder to not let yourself mindlessly slip into mundanity and to celebrate what you enjoy in a world fraught with systems, rules and expectations," Jillelli notes. “It felt fitting to have Roisin Nolan, a collage artist, create the single cover because my music feels very much like an aural collage, I love bringing different samples, genres and styles together to represent many musical moods.”

Slaney, 'Party With The Girls'

Irish dance pop artist Slaney has revealed her first single of 2023 so far, dedicating the track to Girls' Nights Out everywhere. Packed with earworms, club rhythms and Slaney's lush infectious vocals, you won't be able to stop blasting it on rotation. The newcomer is currently recording new tracks in London, having co-written 'Party With The Girls' with producer Michael Hopkins. 'Dream About You' and 'Lose Control' wrapped up an action-packed 2022, but her new banger is all about channelling Barbie without the Kens. "No guys allowed," her ethereal vocals repeat, over booming house beats. The lyrics aren't overcomplicated, instead creating a carefree environment and all-consuming dance ambiance. We're eager to see what the rest of 2023 brings for the actor and musician.

Indicate, 'Narcissist'

After playing two shows in the capital and organising a headliner Upstairs at Whelan's for July 9th, Dublin alt-rockers Indicate have shared their debut single today. Indicate features Adam Fahy (Vocals, Guitar), Max Rogers (Guitar), Ewan Lawson (Bass) and Sean Maher (Drums). 'Narcissist' is a classic rock anthem, with driving riffs and a steady drum beat. "I'm addicted to your fragile state of mind, you've weaponised your smile / Inside your twisted web of lies, you've left me paralysed," Fahy declares. "Your narcissistic ways are turning me on." The single dives into the push and pull of a toxic relationship, with the lover playing consistent mind games. There's a rip-roaring guitar solo (presumably from Rogers?) later in the track, echoing heroes of the past like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and more current legends like Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys.

Post-Party, 'The Body Electric'

The track is taken from the indie-pop band's new EP, We're Not Getting Any Younger. Having already shared stages with fellow Irish bands The Academic, The Murder Capital and Fangclub; Keelan O'Reilly (Vocals, Guitar), Peter Toal (Drums) and Colin Peppard (Bass) recruited Matthew O'Reilly (Lead guitar) and became Post-Party in October 2017. Following their headline Dublin show in Workman's Club's Main Room, the unit are really making their mark on the industry in 2023. With addictive guitar melodies and strong vocals from O'Reilly, their driving sound deserves plenty more smoke with the fire they're bringing. 'The Body Electric' boasts slick production and gleaming textures, backed up by instrumental flourishes and a wall of indie guitar noise.

A.N.J.A, 'Midnight Raid'

Fearlessly blending retro punk, garage, psych, and stoner rock, German-born, Belfast-based artist A.N.J.A returns with her new single. The dynamic artist takes listeners on a dark and hypnotic journey into her occultish imaginarium - facing the real life horrors of our uncertain present. With powerful vocals, frenetic riffs, and a take-no-prisoners attitude, A.N.J.A. effortlessly combines charisma with mystical energy and unapologetic confidence. 'Midnight Raid' will appeal to fans of L7, Queens Of The Stone Age, Kyuss, Nine Inch Nails, and Misfits. The powerful single was created through a collaboration with sound engineer Jack McGarry. A.N.J.A. and McGarry recorded and produced most of the track at home, embracing an anarchical DIY approach. The lyrics were inspired by a real late-night mission, adding an authentic touch to the electrifying sound. Her Belfast Voodoo pre-release show emphasised her explosive on-stage talent, which bleeds into her singles.

Nell Mescal, 'Punchline'

The fast-rising Irish talent has unveiled her new single 'Punchline' today via LAB Records. The Kildare native describes the metaphor of a punchline as the ending of a relationship (romantic, platonic or otherwise) ahead of its time on the indie-pop track, which builds textures beautifully. Edges of guitar riffs that infuse rock into the pop melodies add a warm feeling to the sonics, while her crystal clear vocals express Nell's usual vivid and vulnerable lyrics. "I remember the walls turning grey, I remember it all / What my family said, when describing the fall / I remember the look on your face, the excuses you made / They were your friends, too / I remember that call / And I wish you were less predictable, God that was unoriginal / You hurt me like they did / No, someone had to draw the line, but you called us off ahead of time / You can say it, 'cause it's true," Mescal sings on the opening verse.

Roisin, 'The Love You Left Behind'

Having released previous single 'Frozen in Time' earlier this year, the Cork singer-songwriter returns with a down-tempo, dramatic ballad. 'The Love You Left Behind' is a deeply personal song to Roisin, using the narrative as an act of catharsis. The concept came to her when speaking to a friend about those in her life she had lost, and this conversation even inspired some of the lyrics. The grief of losing loved ones is not new to Roisin and this song was a form of therapy for her in learning to deal with the loss of several friends and family members both to illness and suicide. The uplifting, poignant song was produced by New Jersey producer Ruff. The message behind the song is the faith that people who have passed on often show us their presence through strange and mysterious ways, if we're paying attention. It's a truly special track that infuses comfort into her pain.

Kate Dineen, 'Burnout'

The follow up to 'Millennial' and 'Night Creatures' is a country-rock pop tune that refuses to leave your head. Describing the stress of employment, trying to survive in a cost of living crisis and the post-lockdown burnouts facing most people in their twenties and thirties, the feeling of needing a break is echoed throughout. "I need a day off, spent a fiver at the coffee shop / So I need to keep my job, I'm so tired and simultaneously wired / I need a day off," she repeats. With blistering guitar chords, bluegrass instrumentation and a steady percussion beat, the rich sonics and textures bring Dineen's hearty vocals even more to life somehow. It's like a modern day 'Sweet Home Alabama' mingling with Dolly Parton's 'Nine to Five', but for Irish people in their late twenties. It feels perfect for those floundering, contemplating emigration and worrying about their identity at this age.

Listen to the playlist in full below.