Every month sees more and more great Irish music released to the world. Aaron Cunningham and Will Mac Aoidh select some of our favourite releases of last month, including cover artist Cardinals. All found in our rotating playlist.
Cardinals – Over At Last
Another fine example of Irish rock band supremacy, Cork outfit Cardinals released their debut album Masquerade last month. Sitting at the heart of it sits ‘Over At Last’, an epic, shuddering track characterised by frenetic drumming, big dynamic changes and yes accordion. The band play Ulster Sports Club this Thursday. AC
AE Mak – Folk Songs For Mama And Papa
AE Mak isn’t afraid of getting weird with it. ‘Folk Songs For Mama and Papa’ is a surreal & ambient wander through the garden, not unlike Björk’s more off-the-wall experiments. It’s a step away from the structured art-pop of 2023’s Berlin and more of an exploration of AE Mak’s boundless imagination. It’s one that sits with you for quite a while afterwards. WMA
Negro Impacto – Soft Fruit
There’s a real simplicity to this laid back and bittersweet track from the Dundalk group as the beat and strummed guitars support Chi-chi’s sweet vocal. A love song through the lens of a past relationship and a superb return for their first release since last summer TV Dreams EP. AC
Lemoncello – Meet Me Halfway
‘Meet Me Halfway’ is such a rich, evocative song. The layers of warm strings and organs feel like being swaddled by sound, a sonorous lullaby that’s still exceptionally delicate and subtle. Lyrically and sonically beautiful, a gorgeous goodnight of a track. WMA
Jessie & The Veil – An Bhfuil tú i nGrá Léi?
An Irish language debut from Dublin based Jessie & The Veil. The sound of ‘An Bhfuil tú i nGrá Léi?’ is rooted in folk and trad, but they draw even more influence from further afield in this troubled love song. While they perform in both Irish and English, they came to our attention through Irish language Phoebe Bridgers tribute performed in Dublin with a few musicians from the North. AC
Kate Prendergast – Glass and Glue
The latest in a string of singles from Kate Prendergast since her debut in 2024. There’s a cinematic nature to the track that emanates from both the piano led instrumentation and Prendergast’s vocal, as she explores how we see the world and each other. Recorded with producer Declan Legge in Analogue Catalogue. AC
Playlist
