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 Just Mustard. All found in our rotating playlist.
Just Mustard – POLLYANNA
It’s been a three year wait for new music from Dundalk’s finest, and finally June saw their return with ‘POLLYANNA’. As expected, it marks an evolution to Just Mustard’s sound. The buzz saw edges remain but the overall package suggests sweeter tones around vocalist Katie Bell. We suspect there’s much more to come. AC
SPRINTS – Descartes
Sprints’ latest dropped just ahead of their heavy hitting Glastonbury performance. The explosive four-piece capture that same energy on ‘Descartes’, as Karla Chubb expresses the need to create. New album All That Is Over is out later this year before Belfast kicks off an eleven date UK tour. AC
Sorcha Richardson – lock & key
It feels like a long time since Sorcha Richardson blew us all away for a second time with her sophomore album Smiling Like An Idiot. Thankfully the wait was worth it; hard drive songs, a new collection of demos, dropped earlier this month and along with it comes the intensely delicate ‘lock & key’. There are no theatrics with this tune, just subtle production and intense songwriting ability. If you’re watching We Were Liars on streaming services soon, you might want to keep an ear out for this one in the finale – just a little something to look forward to. WMA
George Houston – Lilith
George Houston’s idiosyncratic fingertips are all over this track from his latest album TODC. A tribute to protest singers and Tramp’s own Siânna Ní Laithbheartaigh, it’s filled with gorgeous touches from the lyrics to vocal flourishes and guitar strings ringing out at their own pace. Houston recently performed it beautifully on Later… with Jools Holland as he goes from strength to strength. AC
Goldbug – Pendulum
Goldbug is the project of Danilo Ward (of all living things), and June saw him return with his second single. ‘Pendulum’ is an interesting proposition, both musically rich and pensive, as brass and strings join the piano spine to carry the track through varied moments. AC
Katie Phelan – Blues and Greens
Katie Phelan’s ‘Blues and Greens’ is taken from her debut EP of the same name. Written about moving away from the sea and what you’ve always known, but ‘Blues and Greens’ offers assurance. A warming indie folk track with soft vocals, a gentle rhythm and endearing adornments. AC
Mischa and the bear – Get Away
Dublin synth-pop duo mischa and the bear might not have a huge body of work behind them, but ‘Get Away’ proves there’s so much to look forward to. This single is buckets of fun but epic in its instrumentation all at the same time, harkening back to other synth-pop aficionados like Sylvan Esso, Grimes or Passion Pit. Come for the bops, stay for the rich, intelligent composition & sound. WMA
Sell Everything – Bohemian Oceans
Dublin’s Sell Everything have combined various genres in their releases to date but the second single of 2025 comes out unmistakenably like a particularly woozy King Krule, with a touch of Life Without Buildings. Regardless of the influences on their sleeves, it’s a sound worth listening to. AC
WineMom – Hello (Far Cry)
There’s certainly a charm to the indie rock from Dublin’s WineMom. The band have been building since their debut single found an audience in 2023. Despite its sweet exterior, ‘Hello (Far Cry)’ tracks the ending of a bad relationship. WineMom play the Oh Yeah this September. AC
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