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 Xona, all handily found in our rotating playlist.
Xona – This Could Be Us
One of my favourite new artists, Xona’s combination of soul, electronica, beats and pop is intoxicating. ‘This Could Be Us’ is impassioned, bursting with colour, colloid beats and vibrant rhythms. BM
Just Mustard – I Am You
A very welcome return for one of Ireland’s hottest band, ‘I Am One’ is a woozy introduction to an upcoming second album. The hypnotic restraint in the track’s first half crashes its way into something much bigger. A linear progression from quiet to cacophonous. AC
Lyndsey Lawlor – Bottle & Chain
Cut from the same cloth of For Those I Love, this spoken world/producer collaborating is an arresting mash of bardic tradition and electronic sonic landscapes. Kitchen sink drama, gentrification, addiction, anxiety and imposter syndrome come under the microscope and microphone in equal measure. BM
Sinead O’Brien – GIRLKIND
An epic of a track from post-punk poet Sinead O’Brien. ‘GIRLKIND’ has a constantly changing mesh of sounds that swerve in and out around O’Brien’s half spoken words but there’s a metronomic pulse that drives the track on. AC
VLLNS – Black Palm
Cavernous alt rock with a side of post-punk, ‘Black Palm’ is the latest single from Dublin’s four piece VLLNS. Unceasing guitar parts lie under brooding, baritone vocals that search for a better time. AC
Silverbacks – Rolodex City
Jittery guitars with tight percussion and rapid fire delivery. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. The newest from Silverbacks is tightly wound, anxiety ridden art rock that continues to draw from the well of Irish guitar music. BM
Pastiche – Bad Loser
Following performances at Ireland Music Week and a sold out Whelan’s show, the Dublin artist released brilliant alt pop single ‘Bad Loser’. A bold, infectious track with an even bolder music video which continues, and tops, Pastiche’s run of 2021 singles. AC
Rejjie Snow – Arigato
Opening with his signature jazzy vocals and vintage production style, Arigato quickly descends into a wavey typhoon of distorted bass, off kilter rhythms and charismatic delivery. Not one for the easier listeners, this new track sees Snow jump from style to style with reckless abandon. He sounds like he’s experimenting and having the time of his life doing it. BM
Denise Chaila – Return of the King
Closing out her newest “EP” It’s a Mixtape, Chaila’s ‘Return of the King’ puts a superb finish on another great year for the Limerick’s shining star. It’s a confident track that Chaila pushes forward with her fiery, headstrong delivery, full of call backs to her own work to create a fresh, high energy twist to her sound. AC
April – Someone That I Made
Ditching the high octane pop for something a bit more lo-fi does wonders for April. Allowing her naturally dreamy vocals to shine, ‘Someone That I Made’ conjures evenings of velvet nights and sparkling skylines. Sitting snugly under 3-minutes, April delivers a pitch perfect modern pop package. BM
Clara Tracey – Soap Girls
Thanks to whoever shared this one on Instagram, a new discovery this month with the first single from Clara Tracey out on Pizza Pizza Records. A vibrant fun track with an off-kilter sound that side steps between French and English. A Fermanagh songwriter who’s flown under our radar to Paris and Dublin. AC
Molly O’Mahony – Brother Blue
Lyrical folk from Cork’s Molly O’Mahony, her second single as a solo artist following her emergence as part of art-folk group Mongoose. ‘Brother Blue’ is written for her younger brother, to “reach out and close a gap” with him. Taken from an upcoming debut album next year, O’Mahony’s soft but distinct voice melds with intimate acoustic sounds to create a stirring atmosphere. AC
Playlist
