Best of Irish – September

The last snatches of summer disappearing as we head into September but there’s always great Irish music to turn to. Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist James Vincent McMorrow, all handily found in our rotating playlist.

James Vincent McMorrow – Planes in the Sky

A silky cut from McMorrow’s latest album, ‘Planes in the Sky’ was born out of a jam and it shows. McMorrow’s vocals are carried along on a pure pop groove, with a bassline that doesn’t miss a beat. AC

Kean Kavanagh – Summer Nights

Mr Softboy returns with this number that again sees him blend all things indie, jazzy and lo-fi. Kavanagh gave us maybe one of the best Irish tracks ever with ‘Street Lights’ so we’re always excited to see him return to the release column. ‘Summer Nights’ takes everything we love and dials it up to 11 – great stuff as always. BM

Ruth Mac – Living Room

We’ve been here before with Berlin based Irish songwriters but Galway’s Ruth Mac has released a fun new single full of soft indie hooks in ‘Living Room’. A classic and joyful indie pop tune that drops ahead of an EP late October. Shout out to the Supremes-esque that occasionally permeates the track. AC

Kynsy – Mr Nice Guy

One of the great artists to emerge during lockdown alongside the likes of NewDad, Kynsy’s sunny synth-and-guitar driven rhythms got in just before the sun disappeared. Sun-bleached vocals and tones are a pleasure to listen to, but its also the delivery – much like our own Naomi Hamilton, Kynsy is just a joy to listen to, regardless of the track. BM

Monjola – Pain Dont Die

A talented wordsmith and versatile artist (as evidenced by this sharp left turn from his previous collab with Aby Coullabally), Monjola wears his emotions on his sleeve here. A trip-hop, jazz fusion beat is the first thing you’ll notice, and it suits the eerie, raw lyricism of the track perfectly. This rapper is here to stay, and I cant wait to see where he goes next. BM

Pillow Queens – Rats

An iconic, pre-In Waiting Pillow Queens single is given a new polish and a re-release as the band announce signing to Royal Mountain Records. Its singalong moments and Dublin twang are a perfect post-debut album celebration. AC

Silverbacks – Wear My Medals

A weaving few minutes of art-punk from Silverbacks, ‘Wear my Medals’ all staccato guitar parts and sympathetic vocals from Emma Hanlon. Direct, crystal clear production makes the whole thing sing. AC

A Ritual Sea – Saving Grace

Sonically similar to Charlie Has The Face Of A Saint in its acoustics, this track from the band’s debut LP is a swirling, alternative pop track that makes as much use of its empty spaces as it does with its tight percussion. And despite its cold vibe, its a gorgeous track. BM

Mhaol – Gender Studies

A short, razor-sharp take from Irish punks Mhaol. With feminism at the core of the band, ‘Gender Studies’ fights against gender norms and the binary, taking down the disparaging comments. The title track from their debut EP out 29th October digitally and physically early next year. AC

Windings – The Ground

Another great Limerick export, this off-filter guitar band have never been afraid to get alternative with it. They wear weird well. The Ground has Late 90’s/Early 2000’s guitar tones and fuzz with crisp harmonies and chippy electronica. It’ll leave you confused and there’s not much subtlety to it – just another reason to love it. BM

Sive – Think Before I Speak

Sive’s sweet and soulful voice rises, falls and calls out through latest single ‘Think Before I Speak’. A track of dynamic instrumentation that rushes into urgent and driving percussion to raise the pulse of Sive’s reflections on overthinking. AC

Shiv – Where You Are

‘Where You Are’ is a song that explores the often chaotic journey of love. Lovely and manageable then. Shiv has always written huge songs contained within a tight souk/R&B structure. Guided by golden vocals and a vibrant arrangement of brass, beats and keys, ‘Where You Are’ continues to deliver on this strong showing. BM

Rêves – Home

A vibrant and smooth indie pop song from Dublin’s Rêves that hits plenty of right notes. A slick listen bolstered by a foot tapping beat and bass, muted guitar parts and the track’s hallmark duetting vocals. AC

Hey Rusty – Wobble

Taken from the Limerick man’s debut album released earlier this month, ‘Wobble’ is typical of the album’s indie folk. On ‘Wobble’, songwriter John Ahern’s quiet vocals are enlivened by plucked guitar lines and flashes of horns that give colour to the song’s troubled lyrics. AC

Podge Lane – The Party

An easy-going tale from Cork’s Podge Lane. ‘The Party’ is just a straight-up singalong that throws in simple harmonica melodies and group vocals that give the song its charm. AC

HALLI – Shit I Almost Said I Love You

A unique sound that plays to its own rhythm, HALLI’s ‘Shit I Almost Said I Love You’ flutters on with synth and unusual sax inflections underneath her dramatic vocal tones. A track that slowly pulses. AC

Playlist

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