Every month sees more and more great Irish music released to the world. Aaron Cunningham and Martha Greer select some of their favourite releases of last month, including cover artist Big Sleep. All found in our rotating playlist.
Big Sleep – Two Cents
‘Two Cents’ is the latest in an ever-growing string of great releases from Dublin’s Big Sleep. Fast becoming a favourite, the band continue their knack for infectious, sparkling indie and a great hook on ‘Two Cents’, recorded and produced by Chris Ryan (Robocobra Quartet) in Belfast’s Start Together studio. AC
Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra – Problem Child
Encapsulating the melancholy of youth, ‘Problem Child’ is Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra’s latest moody tale. Drawing influence from the likes of Courtney Barnett and Elliot Smith, the grungy indie rock track is a headbanging release of teenage angst fuelled by passionate vocals and relatable lyricism. MG
Melts – Wave of Wonder
Taken from their third album, Melts’ ‘Wave Of Wonder’ is a synth heavy psych-rock track that explores the impact a human can have on another’s experiences. Held together with rustic monotonous vocals, a buzzing guitar riff, and thrashing drums, the piece is intergalactic. MG
Susan O’Neill – Drive
There’s a definite vintage quality to Susan O’Neill’s latest release, her first since 2022’s Now You See It EP. ‘Drive’ pulsates with indie-folk promise, with O’Neill’s distinctive husky vocals at the heart of it alongside rich production and her assured songwriting. AC
Elephant – Tide
Dundalk based multi-instrumentalist Shane Clarke offers an emotive musical journey with their latest single ‘Tide’. The vocally heavy piece is filled with soaring harmonies and a beautiful arrangement of strings that exhibits a refreshing and authentic sound. MG
Ro Yourell – Incinerate
The latest single from Dubliner Ro Yourell comes with the announcement of debut album Commencer in May. Hypnotic guitar and Yourell’s falsetto vocals pull the focus in ‘Incinerate’, with the track’s calm presence rising in urgency in its second half. AC
Papa Romeo – World of Paint
London based Papa Romeo take influence from jazz and the smoothness of soul, which all shines through on new single ‘World of Paint’. The strong bassline dominates underneath spaced out vocals and synths as the track slides on. AC
And he, the fool – good aches
Seven-piece And He, The Fool combine classic soul with rock and more on ‘Good Aches’, the band’s third release. Saxophone and guitar riffs are just part of the track’s musical medleys which feature a strong chorus and psychedelic detours. AC
The PVP – Callan
The Personal Vanity Project, The PVP, release their first noisy single ‘Callan’ ahead of their debut album set to come out in May. The Limerick based supergroup describe the “misgivings older generations have about the younger” through a raw merge of rock, shoegaze, and psychedelia. MG
Malaki – Long Face
Self-described as an ‘introspective dive’ into the mind of Malaki’s alter ego, ‘Long Face’ is a fiery release from the Dublin artist. Big beats and changing tempos surround Malaki’s passionate verses. AC
Darcy Faith – Blue
Taken from her debut EP Self-Medicated, ‘Blue’ is one of three new tracks alongside 2021’s ‘Bubbles’. It marks Faith’s return after a break from releasing music, with the soft, introspective ‘Blue’ displaying influence from R&B and more. AC
Ruth Mac – Tutti Frutti
‘Tutti Frutti’ is an upbeat ode to a friend from Galway songwriter Ruth Mac. There’s an infectious positivity on the track through its indie guitar and keys, and the song’s overall retro vibe. A first release of 2024, following on from October’s ‘Home from Home’. AC
Esmeralda Road – I Think
Esmeralda Road, formerly Moonboot, throw a range of styles into the mix for the third single ‘I Think’. There’s an intensity in the track led by insistent vocals, quick bass and percussion and of course the splashes of trumpet and sax. Multiple influences have come to the fore with the band retaining their love of soul, while looking toward post-punk and indie. AC
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