Our last Best of Irish collection of the year as we move into December and look back over November. Aaron Cunningham and Ben Magee select some of their favourite releases of the month, including cover artist I Have A Tribe. All handily found in our rotating playlist.
I Have A Tribe – Teddy’s Song
‘Teddy’s Song’ marks the return of Patrick O’Laoghaire aka I Have A Tribe, his first big release in six years after time away from his own music. A transcendent and meditative track featuring O’Laoghaire’s soft vocals, mirrored by little moments of trumpet (Conor O’Brien, Villagers), harp and piano. A beautiful and worthwhile return written around thoughts of togetherness, named for both his uncle and his sheepdog, Teddy. AC
Leila Jane – Dance With Me
There’s a vintage soulful blues about Dublin based songwriter Leila Jane on ‘Dance With Me’, the opening track on her new EP Revolve Evolve. A lush melding of genres from the R&B bassline and lowkey beat to pysch tinged guitar underneath Leila Jane’s distinct vocals give the song the highs of its romantic lyrics. AC
Emily McCormick – Afraid Of Flying
The Derry-based songwriter released some of my favourite music under the pseudonym Bairie in previous years, and returns now under her own name. Her debut under her surname is the wonderfully lo-fi and jazzy number ‘Afraid Of Flying’. Wielding a sparse autotune like a scalpel, gracefully enhancing opening melodies and led by an easy-listening attitude towards acoustic, percussion and rhythms, this has become a regular listen on my morning commute. How is she not massive? BM
HousePlants – Seaglass
HousePlants duo Paul Noonan and Daithí released the first single from new EP last month with the EP following last week. The EP’s title track ‘Seaglass’ is a smooth groove of a track with a funky bassline the song’s centrepiece. AC
Cazabon – You Blow My Mind
‘You Blow My Mind’ brings in spaced, jazzy vocals over a liquid house instrumental. This one will get me moving even when I’m sitting down and is the perfect foil if you’re already sick of Mariah Carey. BM
Amy Michelle – patience
Following a debut EP earlier this year and ahead of her Other Voices performances last weekend, Amy Michelle released new single ‘patience’. An artist quickly building a following, ‘patience’ shimmers with whispery vocals and music that rises and falls from its acoustic roots as Amy Michelle sings about a difficult relationship. AC
Krea – Last Day Of The Year
Sneaking in with a 1st December release, ‘Last Day Of The Year’ is a huge track of bright, complimentary vocals that pitch and swirl alongside a gorgeously arranged piano accompaniment. Something for heavy rotation. BM
George Houston – Undesired
Taken from a new album of the same name, ‘Undesired’ is the latest single from a Donegal songwriter with a string of releases since his 2020 debut. A mix of genres come together on the lead track with George Houston’s distinctive vocals sitting pretty amongst acoustic guitars and euphoric backing vocals. AC
Ferna – New City
Songwriter Hannah McPhillimy’s renaissance as Ferna continues with new release ‘New City’. Fresh off the back of a well deserved Single of The Year win at this year’s NI Music Prize for last single ‘Wasting’, ‘New City’ continues Ferna’s foray into new sounds. A track with hypnotic mantras and lyrics that capture Ferna’s move from NI to Michigan in 2017. The tension between new beginnings and holding onto your old self is soundtracked by synths and pop sounds. AC
Niamh Regan – Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles
A very unique track from Galway folk artist Niamh Regan, ‘Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles’ builds and pieces its melodies together around the hypnotic drone of the song’s opening. A cover of Captain Beefheart, Regan’s take is gorgeously textured around her longing vocal. AC
Christian Cohle – Strength
Dublin artist Christian Cohle released new single ‘Strength’ last month, coinciding with a headline Whelans show. A further chapter in his brooding synth-pop sound, ‘Strength’ was “written like a prayer” following the end of a relationship. There’s a dark and late club feel when the track expands beyond the meditative to its pulsing peaks, reflected in the music video. AC
THUMPER – Summer Assault
Their first release beyond their debut album earlier this year, ‘Summer Assault’ is a big alt rock track with a top-of-the-voice hook and an energy that rarely lets up. AC
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