Every month we take a look back at the best new releases from Northern Ireland, showcasing the sheer amount of talent coming out of the North in our featured playlist. This month’s cover artist is Polar Bolero. Words by Aaron Cunningham and Will Mac Aoidh.
Polar Bolero – Soar
We’re big fans of Polar Bolero, whose songwriting talents have been evident since their first releases and live performances. ‘Soar’ captures the rhythm and enthusiasm of the group on stage, an uptempo track that feels like its ends all too soon. Musically hard to pin down with elements of folk and jazz to name but two, we’re excited for their debut EP early next year. AC
M Alexander – La Recoleta
I was very lucky to have heard this live a few weeks ago, in between sets at Tom Gee and Friends in Sunflower. M Alexander excels in the scramble of genres ‘La Recoleta’ inhabits; a kind of smooth blend of dark cabaret and classic rock tied together with a thespian troubadour’s style. WMA
Alana Henderson – Once in a House on Fire
A gorgeously dark return from the gifted Alana Henderson. ‘Once in a House on Fire’ simmers with emotion through strings plucked and drawn with arresting intention. Henderson’s first release in six years, it’s a burning reminder of her strong songwriting craft, one we hope ushers in a new era for her music. AC
Middler ft Becky McNeice – Cometh To Me
Middler’s ability to blend chaotic, glitchy breakdowns with intense and lush choruses has set them apart as a deeply original and boldly unique act. ‘Cometh To Me’ has a little bit of the energy and ambition of 2012 Bring Me The Horizon to it, albeit with much more of a focus on the vocal quality – it all combines to make something that can’t be defined easily. Powerful writing, excellent production – an ideal guest vocal from Becky McNeice is just the cherry on top. WMA
Aislinn Logan – What Are You Gonna Do
There’s a really clever streak throughout this tune. You couldn’t call the instrumentation “minimal” but it’s extremely clever about how sparsely the music supports the dense, theatre-style lyricism of Aislinn Logan. It’s a great work of composition, compounded by being a fun and airy track. It’s certainly one of those tracks where you need to listen several times to really appreciate how well-composed the entire tune is. WMA
Beauty Sleep – You – You’re All I Wanted
Six years on from their debut, Beauty Sleep release album number 2 – the sparkling The Whole Damn Cake. The creative duo of Cheylene Murphy and Ryan McGroarty have steered the band through its changes and the new album is a celebration of the last few years, even as its charts their more introspective moments. ‘You – You’re All I Wanted’ encapsulates their colourful dream pop. They launch the album at GIFTED in the Belfast Empire on 20 November. AC
Anthony Layde – Angel
While ‘Angel’ follows the vein of Anthony Layde’s previous releases, he again reaches into new sounds. Resplendent in experimentation, his falsetto voice is wrapped by layered instrumentation and aided by choral backing vocals. Layde takes inspiration from his own experiences alongside the the myth of Lucifier. AC
Foreign Mornings – You’re Gonna Feel That In The Morning
In the grand Irish tradition of feel-good, melody-driven indie rock, Foreign Mornings stand out with a penchant for great storytelling. ‘YGFTITM’ (which is what us real fans call it, y’know) is a fun, boppy tune that would kill in any live setting, whether that’s a pub backroom or a packed stadium. WMA
Kidd Dynamo – I Am a Landslide
This track first debuted over 20 years ago, from a band that formed in 1999 and yet here we are listening in 2025. I Am A Landslide And Other Stories is a collection of music from songwriter Colin Campbell and Kidd Dynamo, revisited and recently released on vinyl through No Dancing records. It sounds just as fresh today, while retaining the classic Northern Irish indie sound that emerged through the 2000s. AC
Playlist
