Irish summer is here, even if it doesn’t quite feel like it as we move into July. Looking back at June, Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist Anna Mieke. All handily found in our rotating playlist.
Anna Mieke – Twin
‘Twin’ is Wicklow based songwriter Anna Mieke’s first release since her debut album back in 2020. Beautifully intricate guitar is woven around Mieke’s soft, gorgeous vocal. A beautifully crafted track with an instantly hypnotic quality. AC
Sinead O’Brien – Pain Is The Fashion Of The Spirit
The stand out from her debut album, O’Brien is a force of nature on “Pain …”. A mix of spoken word and electronica, delivered with a post-punk intensity, this LP opener sets the tone on a fantastic set of tracks. BM
Ailbhe Reddy – A Mess
An artist who’s explored new sounds branching out from her earlier folk based sounds, Ailbhe Reddy moves further into indie rock on ‘A Mess’. Frenetic vocals match the fast pace of the guitar work, a song that fizzes with zest. AC
Kynsy – Point Of You
Crunchy electro-rock from Dublin songwriter. Alternative elements vocally overlaid onto colourful, choppy percussion give the track a fun bounce. BM
Grave Goods – Come
‘Come’ is the third release from the three-piece split between three cities – Manchester, Belfast and Dublin. It’s a discordant and sharp hit of ferocity as guitars slice through a persistent beat and vocals delivered dryly until the song’s climax. AC
Talos – All Ours
Ethereal production and composition give the formless form on the latest from Talos. A slow but relentless build ratchets both tension and drama throughout the track before exploding into an ecstatic crescendo of electro-acoustic and alt-pop bliss. BM
Geoffrey Harold – Birdcall
Jangly and interesting alt folk from Malmo based Irish songwriter Geoffrey Harold. From the track’s dynamics, lush and diverse instrumentation and the bursts of autotune on the vocal, it’s a song that moves uniquely. AC
Fya Fox – BUSY
Fya Fox continues to hone her big pop sound with latest single ‘BUSY’. Considered production, Fya Fox’s strong vocals and the slightest hint of Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ in the melody. AC
Arthur Valentine – Rocket Fuel
One of the stand out producers and songwriters from the HAUSU collective in Cork, Valentines curious and addictive blend of smooth R&B and lo-fi hardstyle beats is a joy to listen to. His latest, Rocket Fuel, is exactly that, giving poor-man Underworld vibes. BM
God Knows, Jah Master – Twelve 61
A really engaging mix of rap, afrobeat and dance hall, God Knows continues to show why he’s regarded as one of the most diverse talents on the island. Hard-hitting lyrics are barely masked by a ridiculously fun beat. BM
Jena Keating – Nobody Can Have Me
There’s something of lofi RnB in the latest release from Cork artist Jena Keating. A short track with a glitched hook and altogether smart and engaging production. AC
Biig Piig – Fun
The London based artist’s first new track of the year is an intoxicating electronic track. Bedroom poppy vocals glide over an instrumental of trance and garage inspired beats. BM
Yinyang – Happy Money
‘Happy Money’ is the latest release from Lauren Hannan aka Yinyang who’s released a string of singles since lockdown. Skirting the edge of chaos with samples, heavy beats and a style that blends rap, hip hop and a little bit of punk, Yinyang delivers fiery vocals about antidepressants and the profit driven pharmaceutical industry. An artist brimming with confidence and direction. AC
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