Just in time for Christmas, our final Best of Irish round up of 2020 as we pick out a handful of great tracks from December. Here are some of this month’s best, with words by Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee.
Denise Chaila, Jafaris – Anseo
It’s hard to imagine 2020 in Irish music without phenomenon Denise Chaila so it’s only suitable that the year ends with her. Teaming up with Jafaris, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the infectious rhythm and confidence of Chaila. “I’m not a queen, I’m a Pharaoh” is spat forth with a smile alongside a graciously funky piano-infused beat. Jafaris holds his own against the years brightest Independent Irish star as the two close out 2020 on rare form. BM
Fears – tonnta
The first single to be released under Constance Keane’s own Tulle label (for women & non-binary artists), ‘tonnta’ is transient like the waves of the title. An intangible, minimalist track with ethereal vocals that chronicle Keane’s relationship with her grandmother, and the journey of dementia. AC
Saint Sister, Lisa Hannigan – The Place That I Work
Gentle and gorgeous vocal harmonies on what is a late contender for one of the most beautiful Irish tracks released this year. The deceptively simple acoustic folk nature of this track belies the raw, primal heartstrings it plucks. When some of the islands best songwriters and singers come together, there’s no wonder that the result is special: a cold, stunning record. BM
Aislinn Logan – Never Stay Low
The London based artist follows her summer EP with an idiosyncratic pop song – a songwriter in good form in a shit year. ‘Never Stay Low’ throws pleasing guitars and rhythms into a call to do your own thing. The production and the melodies change with each release but Logan always finds the hook, ‘Never Stay Low’ is no different. AC
Kojaque – Coming Up
Long vaulted as one of Ireland’s premier MC’s (if not its best), Kojaque abandons the hard hitting coldness found on Deli Daydreams, opting for a more American sound, one that he fully owns in ‘Coming Up’. New electronic pulses and wavey vocals give an international flare and mainstream softness that lends well to the vibe laden spirit of the track. BM
Oscar Waves – Stressed Out
A productive year for the Bangor producer culminates in his Scrapbook EP. Opener ‘Stressed Out’ sets the mood as he places his vocals to the fore with Northern Irish drawl on show. Vocal samples raise the bar, as beats flutter in and out of the all too brief track. Oscar Waves is building and building. AC
Inwards – Flowers (Coolgirl Remix)
Lizzie Fitzpatrick, singer of Bitch Falcon, tries her hand at electronic, found sound remixes to great effect. Teaming up with Inwards, her latest remix is a stomping 80’s inspired raver taken straight from the New Order playbook. Perfect for dark winter nights when you’re missing that human warmth. BM
Dena Anuk$a – Ancient Naturals
Belfast’s Egyptian rapper Dena Anuk$a seems to barely lift a finger on ‘Ancient Naturals’ so smooth is the track, as her Anuk$a’s spiritual flow rides along a hazy neo-soul beat that shows less is more. Everything in her repertoire seems to come together here, a laid back, hypnotic track that settles into a groove and stays there. AC
Archy Moor – Remember Me
Independent rapper Archy Moor teams up with my favourite new producer, the softboy vetted Bríen. Moor shows the growth in his delivery and presence in his latest, melding lo-fi and jazz with rap on ‘Remember Me’. One of Ireland’s more unique voices, Moor’s latest as received play on beats One, BBC Radio One and is one to watch in the coming years. BM
Somebody’s Child – Lost
Somebody’s Child aka Cian Godfrey is an indie pop songwriter from Dublin who’s been demanding some attention in the past year or two. ‘Lost’ is the latest, taken from a new EP out in the new year. It’s a dynamic and desperate cry out in the vein of Dermot Kennedy, with Godfrey’s big vocal shouting out over high production value pop. AC
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