The heat was turned up both meteorologically and musically in Ireland last month. Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist Pretty Happy, all handily found in our rotating playlist.
Pretty Happy – Sudocream
Cork trio Pretty Happy hurtle through new single ‘Sudocream’ like a band on a mission. A tongue-in-cheek cacophony about A&E, the miracle cream and frustrations. A ridiculously fun punk song. AC
SPRINTS – How Does the Story Go?
Conversational indie art punk. Something like that anyway. SPRINTS’ unique vocals get increasingly agitated over glitched out guitar in this two minute something tale. AC
Aonair – Your Man
With all the 80’s swagger of your Da’s old mixtape that you found in the attic, the re-launch single from Aonair is all saturated synths and spacey guitars. The Donegal based artist has it all pointed in the right direction on this tune that sounds like both a throwback and the sound of tomorrow. BM
Orla Gartland – You’re Not Special, Babe
Another big lovely single from Orla Gartland before her highly anticipated album is set free later this month. More proof, not that it’s needed, that Gartland can write a great chorus. Janky guitars, synths and and a holy bridge, this is a fun one. AC
1000 Beasts ft Célia Tiab – NYCBB
Belfast based French songwriter Célia Tiab appears on the latest release from Irish producer Cian Sweeney aka 1000 Beasts. A sumptuous serving of neo-soul for the second single from his upcoming debut album. AC
Villagers – So Simpatico
Strange to think than Villagers would continue to incorporate experimental sounds into his tracks nearly a decade later, but this track stings of the found sound wanderlust of the Jackel-era. Gorgeous and delicate with a moonlit sway, sounds like a track to fall in love to. BM
Odd Morris – The Once Was Enough
Dublin quartet expand their boundaries on their newest. What they sacrifice in post-punk magnetism, they make up for in Indie-rock urgency. Still retaining that shadowy presence is essential to the mood of the track, which thunders along like a locomotive. BM
Ra Gerra – Guapa
This unique partnership between two of Irelands mavericks – Kobina and MuRli – has a flamenco flair as well as trancey hypnotism to. The rappers delivery played over a ramshackle beat that dips and pitches in accordance with the flow. Tremendous stuff and one fo the standouts on their new album ‘New Vessels’, BM
Houseplants – Window Pane
Shimmering, undeniably heavily LCD Soundsystem inspired electro from duo Houseplants. Little sonic splashes over the track’s core beat and a mellow vocal about the everyday. AC
The Altered Hours – Radiant Wound
Droning psychedelia from a band leaning into their return. ‘Radiant Wound’ was inspired by the housing crisis in their hometown of Cork. The instrumentals whirr and clash under the track’s conflicted mantra. AC
Dunx – I Land At Sea
A big old desert rock sounding throwback that proclaims its conception in a Utah desert.. The Irish born, Australia raised and Dublin living artist has only released a handful of singles to date, but ‘I Land At Sea’ captures moody cool with ease. AC
Ciaran Lavery ft Soft Sports – I Love the Inevitability of Death
A slow-burning look at death recorded in a room in Brighton with two-piece Soft Sports. A joyful chorus complete with trumpet ensures this is no lament. AC
Ali Comerford – Come Home
An engrossing, poignant folk track from the classically trained violist and songwriter, taken from her debut album released last week.
Playlist
