Every month sees more and more great Irish music released to the world. Aaron Cunningham, Will Mac Aoidh and Christopher Owens select some of our favourite releases of last month, including cover artist Junior Brother. All found in our rotating playlist.
Junior Brother – Small Violence
Junior Brother has long established himself as one of the finest contemporary Irish songwriters but he continues to push further on every release. Striking new single ‘Small Violence’ moves well beyond any folk descriptor as traditional blends with humour and anxiety. Taken from album number three The End, releasing this September. AC
Myles Manley – Aran Jumper
Two songs for the price of one! A treat! ‘DiFontaines’ and its twin ‘Aran Jumper’ stick their tongues firmly in their cheeks and give a scathing review of the Dublin music scene. Set to some jaunty, surrealist arrangement, Manley’s witty critiques are a laid-back & chirpy listen, even if you’re not at all familiar with the goings-on of Dublin. WMA
April – Puppy
Singer-songwriter April marks her first release since a trio of singles last year. Written about a deteriorating relationship, ‘Puppy’ sits in the niche of gentle pop ballad, with understated instrumentation adorning soft vocals. AC
James Lonergan – No Falling Damage
Dublin’s James Lonergan has crafted an ethereal track in “No Falling Damage”, one that feels like seeing brand new sights on a train journey. Additional vocals from Aoife Bridget provide a warm texture of jazz-pop that ties the song together like a bow – it’s such a comfortable listen without losing an ounce of energy. WMA
Kean Kavanagh – A Cowboy Song
A driving rhythm fuels the new single from Kean Kavanagh, which preceeds new album The County Star next month. The album and the track explore Americana fascination in small Irish towns. That connection comes through on the floating indie of ‘A Cowboy Song’. AC
Emily Panter – Remember They Love You
There’s a meditative quality to Limerick based Emily Panter’s new single ‘Remember They Love You’, taken from her debut EP of the same name. The low-key, bedroom indie of the track carries along the repeated mantra of reassurance with shades of 90s alternative. AC
Big Sleep – Pick A Cheek
There’s a madcap energy to Big Sleep’s Pick A Cheek, harkening back to early Kings of Leon in its wit and energy. It’s hook-a-minute, full of bounce and danceability at breakneck pace – an instant smile-maker of a song. WMA
mischa and the bear – Deny
A project of bassist/producer Mischa (Danny Rooney, formerly of modernlove) and Belfast-born vocalist Bear (Fírinne McIntyre), their debut single ‘Deny’ is an upbeat, yet spacey, electropop number with hints of David Lynch style weirdness in the vocals and Sky Ferreira’s more synth driven numbers. One to watch out for. CO
Joyce – Ego
Just a third release from new-to-us Irish artist Joyce. ‘Ego’ shimmers and shines within its dream-pop that goes all in on its atmospheric production, carried away by Joyce’s reverb laden vocal and touches of guitar and synth. AC
Yinyang – Parasite
Yinyang’s bold artistry shines through again, as she makes a return from a few quieter months. There’s a brooding atmosphere on ‘Parasite’ that reflects the “motions of grief” explored on the track. While ‘Parasite’ snakes through a slower burn than some of her previous work, Yinyang’s bite is still evident through her delivery. AC
Playlist
