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 Chalk. Words by Aaron Cunningham, Will Mac Aoidh & Éimear Gallagher.
Chalk – Longer
The excitement around Chalk has grown every year with each tour, show and release, but that all pales in comparison to their standing their debut album Crystalpunk dropped a few weeks ago. A debut that pulsates, shatters, screams and moves – the success is well earned. Amongst the album’s forays into techno, punk and throwback trance, ‘Longer’ perhaps flies closest to the post-punk of their Conditions trilogy. AC
Joshua Burnside – It’s Not Going To Be Okay
Joshua Burnside’s album number four rolled in last month, marking another chapter for one of the North’s most gifted songwriters. On the stripped down full release, written through grief at the loss of Burnside’s friend Dean, the title’s track tone and tempo sits out a little sharper. A stream of consciousness distillation of the horrors and stressors of modern life, it’s a stirring track from an album that deserves to be heard in full. AC
Wynona Bleach – Religion
Wynona Bleach have built a name for themselves as the premier NI pop-punk band and ‘Religion’ is another great example of what Wynona do best: snappy, intricate melodies with driving rhythm and unique ambience, the kind of song that would open a John Hughes movie. Wynona Bleach have loads more to come, their new album Animal Style comes out on the 19th May. WMA
Sister Ghost – Embers
‘Ember’, is the phantasmal new single, remarkably engraved by the self-made Sister Ghost aka Shannon Delores O’Neill. Blending alt, rock and pop with a splash of gothic sound, ‘Embers’ finds influence from the likes of Kate Bush. The extremely catchy chorus has been stuck in my head all day. Loud, proud and super pop-rock, Sister Ghost roar girl power in the NI music scene at present! EG
MMMouth feat Róis – Náire
There’s some great moments on Self Titled B*tch, the debut album from duo MMMouth recorded in West Belfast’s Stiúideo Feirste. Inevitably though it was the Róis feature on the album’s closing track that caught my attention. Like the rest of the album, its a track full of sonic exploration, a glitchy mesh of acoustics, voice, buzzing synth and electronics. AC
Klyda – Better
Klyda’s ‘Better’ is chock-full of melodic goodness & clever arrangements. Using three guitars is a choice that comes with a danger of a messy, oversaturated soundscape but that just isn’t the case here. Each part weaves a fabric that is busy but not overwhelming, bursting with atmosphere and colour. WMA
Chubby Cat – Grace
The music of Belfast based Chubby Cat has always swayed into the inventive, her first release of 2026 is no different. Dynamics are in full play, with staccato verses joined by weaving vocal lines before the song is carried on the crest of organs and Chubby Cat’s show-stopping choral vocals. Alt-pop married to worship music through layered production and a cry for ‘Grace’. Cat has announced a break from releases, but we’re sure whatever comes next will carry that same bold artistry. AC
Dea Matrona – Hate That I Care
Dea Matrona’s newest single, ‘Hate That I Care’, released last month is honestly terrific! It’s got an ear-grabbing melody, with a sound that evokes 1970s classic rock, particularly the likes of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dragonfly’. Their sound is a blend of guitar-rock, with a hint of blues, and a slight Joan Jett feel to their instrumentation. The clever lyricism reflects one being assumed without being known personally. Orláith and Mollie’s vocals and blend of harmonies are infectious., with their alternating lead vocals a real Dea Matrona signature. EG
Good Swim – Simulation Theory
‘Simulation Theory’ wears its heart on its sleeve, a delicate guitar and vocal tune with no frills. This follows on from a duo of singles last January from Good Swim, demonstrating his modus operandi – simple songs, minimal instrumentation, written well and without pretentiousness. Despite its folk instrumentation, there’s flavours of post-punk and alt rock in the melodies – symbols of a well-rounded and considered composer. It seems there’s plenty to get excited for from Good Swim. WMA
Playlist
