As May passes and we move into June, we’re celebrating another month of great new Irish music. Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist Rachel Mae Hannon, all handily found in our rotating playlist.
Rachel Mae Hannon – Alright
The follow-up to the success of last year’s ‘Be In Love’, ‘Alright’ channels the same soulful heart. Inspired laid-back pop production and Hannon’s gorgeous, smoky vocals are a heady mix. AC
Monjola ft Aby Coulibaly – Where u at
Teaming up with hotly tipped Aby Coulibaly, the Irish rapper’s new track is all good vibes, all day. Smooth as silk and insanely easy to listen to, the mix of bright and lo-fi production on the track assists on the undemanding vocals. BM
Joshua Burnside & Laura Quirke – Far Away The Hills Are Green
The second of two releases born from a collaboration between Burnside and Lemoncello’s Laura Quirke, which harkens back to his early releases. A beautiful and understated folk duet. An EP is on the way on 16th July. AC
Floor Staff – Aspiration
The work of Dublin’s Anthony Donnelly, ‘Aspiration’ is a dark and stirring track that marks a return after a four year hiatus. At once intimate, and then intricate in the production. AC
Xona – When You’re not Around
Shimmering alt-R&B climbs to the top but there’s also instances of jazz, electronic and house in this track from Xona. A primetime songwriter with a unique sound. BM
Varley – The Pressure
Berlin based German/Irish band Varley’s indie pop is charismatic and catchy, and latest single ‘The Pressure’ captures the same magic. Over all too soon. AC
Smoothboi Ezra – Without Me
It’s impossible of me to hear this track and not immediately think of SOAK. Cork’s answer to the indie-bedroom sad pop is equally as good, with restrained vocals and arrangements keeping me wanting more. BM
Leila Jane – Look Away From Our Creation
A big vibrant alt-folk song from Dublin based Leila Jane with a full band sound that sounds more organic than laboured over. AC
David Keenan – Bark
An epic, searching folk tune delivered in Keenan’s distinctively verbose fashion. Keenan wastes not a second in this track from a new album set for release later this year. AC
Nerves – Leigue
A near 7 minute Odessey of distorted guitar, created sound, post-punk vocals and math rock bass lines. With support from CLASH magazine already in the bag, Nerves are unafraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves and we’re rewarded with a wave of pot-rock/punk goodness. BM
HAVVK – Automatic
A post-rock track of contrasts, ‘Automatic’ switches between the ethereal and subtle verses and the fuzzy, scuzzy grunge of the song’s chorus. A sound HAVVK have perfected over the years. AC
Elaine Mai ft Ailbhe Reddy – Still Feel
Electronic producer Elaine Mai enlists the vocals of Ailbhe Reddy for the second release from her upcoming album. Swirling synth and handclap beats underline Reddy’s vocals about reminiscing. An engaging listen. AC
Just Wondering – Beach Me
Lo-fi hip hop blends with indie pop on the stand out track from the bands latest mixtape. Fuzzy vocals contrast to the luminescent instrumentation. BM
VJ Jaxson – Sweat And Tears
Emo-trap reminiscent of Juice Wrld genres presents new worlds for Jaxson. An idosyncratic multi-instrumentalist, this track is the best from his debut EP. BM
CMAT – 2 Wrecked 2 Care
Queen CMAT returns with ‘2 Wrecked 2 Care’. An introspective country-pop musing on the effects of insomnia. A slow and sad heart on the sleeve song sung out in CMAT’s own irrepressible way. AC
Playlist
