For the last year, we’ve been listening intently to some of the best material to come out of Irish artists. As we head towards the end of the year, Ben Magee and Aaron Cunningham select some of their favourite releases of the last year, some featured in our rotating playlist, and some that may have flown under our radar. Catch the whole year in one playlist in Best of Irish 2021.
Bricknasty feat. KahkiKid – Breakfast On Pluto
A pairing of some of the best new, fresh talent on the island, there wasn’t a track that sounded quite like “Breakfast…” this year. A veritable masterclass in funk, alternative hip hop and pop songwriting, this record got me in its grips late in the year and never let me go. Two headliner heavyweights who could dominate any track that they’re on, Khaki and Nasty are a chemistry match made in heaven on this song. BM
Soda Blonde – In The Heat of the Night
Take your pick of great tracks from Soda Blonde’s incredible debut album, undoubtedly one of this year’s best. ‘In The Heat of the Night’ was the first to grab me and hasn’t let go, bringing together everything that made their debut such a stand out. It’s retro sounds and lush but stately production raise this hook filled song to near perfection. Soda Blonde have taken a long journey to get here but the results speak for themselves. AC
Caleb Kunle – Could Be Good
The well of influences runs deep on this track. Roots, psychedelia, soul, lo-fi and indie can all be heard, but it takes a songwriter of Kunle’s level to pull it all together. hazy full-bodied arrangements don’t detract from a strong vocal performance, a testament to the composition and production on the track. Another late addition to the list, I now can’t imagine a future without Kunle’s vibrance in it. BM
NewDad – Ladybird
2021 was perhaps comparatively quieter on the release front for NewDad but any end of year list would seem incomplete without them considering their rise since 2020. The past year did see one of their best singles to date in ‘Ladybird’. A song full of longing, and typically dreamy, from a band that does their best work in the studio, produced by Belfast’s Chris Ryan. AC
Kean Kavanagh – Summer Nights
Kavanagh wrote what might have been one of my favourite albums of all time, 2020’s Dog Person. Second project slumps avoided him this year, as he continues to impress with this year’s Summer Nights. Sunbleached jazz-meets lo-fi indie in a glorious swirl that rings louder than the sum of its parts. But as always, Kavanagh’s use of percussion as the driving force is what makes this track so interesting, exemplified by the sensory overloaded psychedelic crescendo. BM
VARLEY – Push Pull
Irish-in-Berlin klaxon, with Dublin-born Claire-Ann flanked by her German band mates to make up indie pop trio VARLEY. Without doubt my favourite pop song of 2021, ‘Push Pull’ is all hook, not a melody, synth line and vocal is wasted as Claire-Ann loses patience with the song’s subject. You’d be hard priced to find many better examples of the indie-pop genre in the last year. AC
For Those I Love – Birthday / The Pain
What else could be written about David Balfe’s magnum opus that ahsn’t already been put to pen. Simply put, Birthday / The Pain is the highlight on an ecstatic LP, one that captures the vibrancy and pitfalls of love and loss unlike any other release this year. Powered by an utterly euphoric instrumental and a magnetic, driving spoken-word delivery from the producer, Balfe transports you effortlessly to the backstreets and bleachers of his childhood in a swirling, pitching cacophony of rhapsodic electronica. BM
J Smith feat Nnic – Blood Orange
Taken from his stunning album, ‘Blood Orange’ is the standout track. A hugely emotive song about his relationship with his wife and second chances. Great songwriting, beautiful vocals and music that builds and builds, veering away from folk into the realm of Radiohead with its fast, arpreggiated guitar. AC
Monjola Feat. Aby Coulibaly – Where u at
An essential meeting of minds and talents, Monjola and Coulibaly have instantaneous, lasting chemistry on their collaboration. A feel-good beat is overlayed over tales of fractious relationships and broken communications. With both artists getting their minute in the spotlight, there’s an instant classic feel to this release, one that will keep it in your head for the foreseeable. BM
Denise Chaila – Return of the King
Possibly the sharpest track from Limerick’s self proclaimed pharaoh. Denise Chaila had a bigger 2020 that any other Irish artist, dropping another “mixtape” towards the end of the year. The highlight is the smart and self assertive ‘Return of the King’ full of shouts to her older tracks, comparisons to Kanye and confidence flowing throughout. AC
of all living things – If I Go
The band formerly known as Nicetry popped back in 2021 with a new name, a couple of singles and an EP. The first of those singles ‘If I Go’ is a brooding track gently steps along under ethereal vocals. All about atmosphere, every note and swell contributes to the whole. AC
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