The last snatches of summer disappearing as we head into September but there’s always great Irish music to turn to. Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist David Keenan, all handily found in our rotating playlist.
David Keenan – What Then Cried Jo Soap
An artist who sees world-building and idiosyncrasy as a challenge as opposed to a weapon, Keenan is always able to pull you into his twisted gothic world. Nothing has changed with ‘What Then…’, with Keenan’s wall of sound assaulting the senses with an intensity that has become common for his work. One of the island’s most engaging songwriters. BM
of all living things – If I Go
Formerly known as nicetry, of all living things released first new single ‘If I Go’ a few days ago. A slow and dreamlike meditation with textures of reverb that ripple outward from the track’s soft vocals. ‘If I Go’ comes with the announcement of an EP and a short Irish tour this autumn. AC
Villagers – Fever Dreams
The title track from O’Brien’s exemplary new album, this 6-minute odyssey travels through the songwriter’s folk roots, with frequent sojourns into electronica, lo-fi production, hazy created sounds, psychedelia and distorted alt-pop. A snapshot of an artist at their creative peak. BM
EMR – want to want
Like a bedroom meditation, ‘want to want’ takes a simple form. The lullaby melody, bold in parts and softly sung in others, carries the song above sparse swells of sound and an eventual burst of indie guitar. Short, sweet and a wonderfully intriguing release. AC
Orla Gartland – Madison
On her exemplary debut, Gartland sways and woo’s her way through a series of expertly crafted indie rock-pop tracks. However, on ‘Madison’, the energy takes a back street and we’re able to appreciate Gartland’s lyricism as one of the true highlights on the record. While still swarmed with pop-centric hooks, the command of language and symbolism on this track makes it one of the record’s standouts for me. BM
Fya Fox – NEED IT
Fya Fox continues to expand her resume of well crafted songs with the most polished production. Bass heavy rhythms judder the track along under her siren vocals. Picking up plenty of radio play and set for Ireland Music Week this year. AC
Four In The Morning – Good Love
Taken for the folk group’s newest EP Stress Dreams, this is easily the most cinematic on the five-track record. Slow building like a cumulonimbus, smokey vocals guides us along a delicate, low-key folk composition until the break into a soundscape of contemporary roots-rock arrangements. BM
Arvo Party – THE GRAND STRETCH
The man never stops. ‘THE GRAND STRETCH’ is released ahead of two more Arvo Party albums out this week. An entirely new sound for the North Coast producer, ‘THE GRAND STRETCH’ features warped vocal samples as a hook. Brimful with a vibrancy and urgency. AC
Xona – In My Head
A diverse artist with impressive production on their tracks, Xona’s new track ‘In My head’ has big 80’s pulses and wavey house colours with a modern voice. There are elements of the anxiety of ANPHNI’s ‘4 Degrees’ in here that has made this an essential track of the month for me. BM
Jordan Adetunji – Wasting Time
Following a Stendhal set that was full of enthusiasm and fire, Jordan Adetunji releases one of his best singles in a bit. ‘Wasting Time’ is a built on a hooked vocal and quickfire beats and Adetunji’s unmatched flow. AC
Niamh Regan – Happy Again
Regan continues to impress with her forward thinking approach to the raw nature of Irish folk. With arrangements and production that combine jazz and electronica alongside her western twang and horizon spanning songwriting, this is easily one of my favourite tracks of the year. BM
Kind Pirates – Coming Up Fast
A fuzzy indie that echoes the likes of Wilco and the imitable Jeff Tweedy. Kind Pirates is the latest project from the well-worn Ollie Cole (TURN, Oliver Cole). Described by Cole himself as frivolous, ‘Coming Up Fast’ is just a carefree release. AC
Somebody’s Child – Stubborn
A good hook of a chorus and guitars is enough to make up a decent indie tune. Cian Godfrey aka Somebody’s Child fills in the rest. Reminiscent of the golden indie of the early 2000s, ‘Stubborn’ is just a great track. AC
Luz – permanent +1
Luz’s ‘permanent +1’ has more than a little Lorde about it from the song’s mood and Luz’s own vocals. A indie-pop ballad with a soft nature, subtle with a heartwarming tone. AC
Carrie Baxter – Something in the Water
Carrie Baxter’s latest is a track filled with colour. From the gentle funk apparent in the guitars to the beat in the chorus, ‘Something in the Water’ just works, delivering a good time across its short runtime. AC
Nylophone – Last Summer
A gentle folk-pop song full of bittersweet yearning and production that leans towards the sounds of the sixties. A gorgeously textured tune. AC
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