Lauren Ann, 'Other Stuff'

"We could be heroes / if we could just be honest all day," the Northern Irish alt-indie pop artist Lauren Ann sings on her latest single 'Other Stuff'. The uplifting song reflects on the value of relationships and overcoming fears. The song's core idea is that the presence of loved ones is more important than anything else in life.

"'Other Stuff‘ is a very positive song for me. It was written at a very happy point in my life, and I think that comes across in the track! I love hanging out with my friends and family, so I also wanted to get the message across that if you surround yourself with people who care about you, then you don‘t really need anything else," Lauren Ann said about her latest track.

Dashoda, 'Fooling Around Again'

The Irish electronic producer and songwriter Gavin MacDermott, better known as Dashoda, recently released his debut EP, Never Enough. Following the release, the artists shared a music video for the lead track, 'Fooling Around Again'.

Ror Conaty directed the video, which was shot in a stunning 1970s-style house in Co. Wexford. "I was drawn to the '80s style hook of 'Fooling Around Again' which I found reminiscent of Don Henley’s 'Boys of Summer'," Conaty said of the song. "Lyrically, the EP circles around internal struggle and self-deprecation, which is set against the backdrop of lush and warming alt pop."

Hozier, 'Eat Your Young'

With his debut single 'Take Me to Church' the Irish folk, blues, and rock singer Hozier achieved international success.  He recently announced his Eat Your Young EP, which was released today.

A few weeks ago, Hozier shared snippets of the title track 'Eat Your Young' on social media, leading fans to eagerly await the song's release. “Come and get some! / Pull up the ladder when the flood comes / Throw enough rope until the legs have swung / Seven new ways that you can eat your young!“ the musician sings in his sombre-poetic song.

Eat Your Young 🖤 March 17th 🖤 https://t.co/bD3cF40s0m pic.twitter.com/B4JqpEhkHM

— Hozier (@Hozier) February 28, 2023

YourCuzMarcus, 'i think i'm scum'

With his unique alternative hip-hop sound, Dublin-based artist YourCuzMarcus has released music from various genres, including his latest release, 'i think i'm scum' which marks a new chapter in his music journey.

YourCuzMarcus almost stopped making music during the pandemic as he had to quit his job as a bartender and couldn't play any live gigs due to COVID. However, he returned to music after meeting producer Jape, who quickly became fascinated with YourCuzMarcus' music after the Irish rapper showed him a few of his.

"When I picked it back up again, it was purely because I enjoyed doing so. I felt no pressure regarding my output and just wanted to start getting lost in that creative state again," the artist said, mentioning that there are a number of songs that will be released in the future.

Credit: Billy Cahill

Christian Cohle, 'Jungle'

Electronic artist Christian Cohle‘s new track 'Jungle' is about Cohle "grappling with [his] sense of control, about fading intimacy, and doomed romance." It is the final song to be released ahead of his upcoming full-length album, WETLANDS in May 2023.

The Irish musician was inspired by the feverish jungle setting after watching a Werner Herzog documentary. It became a metaphor Cohle used for what he "was going through at the time. Feeling totally lost and swallowed up by a chaotic force, I eventually had no other choice but to yield to."

The Fae, 'Chloe'

The Fae, a Dublin-based modern and hot alt-rock trio, have recently released their debut single, 'Chloe,' along with a new music video. It is the lead single from the indie band's upcoming debut EP, Bloodrush, which is set to be released in September 2023.

Jordan Crawford, vocalist and guitarist for The Fae, said the song "came together super quick, half as a joke and half as something to help a friend who had just split from her girlfriend": "The audio clip at the start is her talking about the breakup to another one of our friends, which we ended up recording by mistake while making a demo."

Reylta, 'Lucifer's Love / Leannán an Diabhail'

Despite not being a native Gaeilge speaker, singer-songwriter Reylta released her new single 'Lucifer's Love' in both English and Gaeilge. Reylta worked hard on her Irish skills in order to bring the song to life.

'Lucifer's Love' or 'Leannán an Diabhail' is a modern take on the Irish tradition of storytelling, following the mythical tale of doomed love between the devil and a mortal who is condemned to hell for their passion. According to Reylta, the song tells the "unusual story of the intimate relationship between good and evil. When there is love and light in us, life becomes brighter. Be merciful, forgive your past, and work with it to attract a better future."

Perlee, 'Reckoning'

Ahead of their upcoming debut album Speaking From Other Rooms, the Irish duo Perlee released their new single 'Rreckoning' which sounds reminiscent "of bands like Low, Cigarettes After Sex, Radiohead, and Beach House," it says in the press release.

Inspired by Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 'Maps' the duo's latest track, ‘Reckoning’ is about the end of the world and "that weird space where you contemplate the end of being and what matters." Perlee's debut album, on the other hand, is about unconditional love in all of its forms, the banality of a capitalist society, destiny, and self-realisation. Speaking From Other Rooms will be released on April 21st and was mostly produced and written in Perlee‘s Berlin studio. It features Matt Ingramm (Laura Marling, LUMP) on the drums, who also mixed the album.

Ailbhe Reddy, 'Shoulder Blades'

With the release of her new album Endless Affair today, singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy has taken on new heights. Hot Press' Molly Cantwell wrote in her review: "Known for her witty lyricism and incandescent alt-folk vocals, Reddy has been steadily on the rise since the release of her 2016 debut EP. However, the singer’s latest offering Endless Affair – filled with beguiling melodies and stunning vocals – is unambiguously her most impressive work to date."

Reddy has released her latest single 'Bloom', which is about letting go and accepting, just a week before the album's release via MRNK UK. Another previous single 'Shoulder Blades', which is about the memories of a late love, follows in a similar vein. "And I love to watch you / How the light hits your face / And in the morning on your shoulder blades / In the bed when you turn away / I love to watch you / I love to watch you," Reddy sings in the chorus.

Lucy McWilliams, 'Slow Dancing'

Four months after her latest single, 'Bumblebees and Blue Skies' was released, the urban soul and R&B singer Lucy McWilliams shared her new song, 'Slow Dancing'.

The song, like its title, is slow and accompanied by soft piano playing in the background, while further progressive elements are introduced throughout the song. On 'Slow Dancing' McWilliams is surrounded by strangers, and all she wants is to find someone to hold her and dance slowly with. McWilliams has recently appeared as a support act for several artists, including Irish indie rockers Inhaler. She also announced her first headline show at The Workman's Cellar on March 23rd. Tickets can be purchased here.

MILD, 'Cascade'

Derry groove mechanic and producer MILD just released the second single from his upcoming Tapewinter EP. "I've always loved synthwave music because of the nostalgic feeling it evokes, and I've been trying to put my own spin on it for years, 'Cascade' is the closest I've gotten yet, and I'm excited for everyone to hear it!," MILD said on Instagram.

In a Hot Press interview, the musician cited producer and DJ Kaytranda as a major influence on his musical style. MILD's big dream is to work with Sam Gellaitry, as he first got him into music producing. Tapewinter, his next EP, will be released in the middle of 2023.

Amy Michelle, 'ode to praying to the answering machine'

Irish singer-songwriter and bedroom pop artist Amy Michelle released her new track 'ode to praying to the answering machine' and shared details for her upcoming EP felicity stories set for release in spring. Her style is a cross between Billie Eilish's dark pop and Phoebe Bridgers' raw introspection.

Michelle continues to build her own distinct world on the atmospheric and moving song, which she invites the listener to experience. The bedroom-songwriter and DIY producer says the song is about "searching for the answers in somebody who can’t give them to you, it’s praying to a god who may or may not be there."

Her upcoming EP is named after a made-up collection of stories Michelle's grandmother used to tell her when she was a child. "I try to carry with me the creativity we all have as children, that inevitably dissipates as we get older. This EP is a journey through navigating the complexities of the human condition, being torn apart, and learning how to heal on my own."

GNS, 'Love A Lie'

By merging various genre elements into an alternative hip-hop sound, Afro-Irish rapper GNS creates a unique style on his latest release, 'Love A Lie'. Co-produced by V-Sensei, the song is the first one being released by GNS since late 2021.

The versatility of V-Sensei's vocals add some elements of punk to the song, which "touches on romantic love, love between lifelong friends, family, and love from the people who support you," it says in press materials. GNS's new song reflects all elements of the fresh and new hip-hop sound that Ireland has to offer.

Euan Hart, 'Self-Pity'

Following his successful headline show at Upstaris Whelans, Euan Hart released his highly anticipated single 'Self-Pity'. In addition, the folk and pop artist announced his new self-titled Euan Hart EP to be released on 12th April.

While being the "most up front and honest song" Hart has ever written, it also means "to be funny and self-deprecating, hence the title of the song. I can't complain in life, so this song kind of points out all the things that were [or] are an everyday annoyance, maybe?"