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 NewDad, all handily found in our rotating playlist.
NewDad – Ladybird
Pandemic hopefuls are notably brighter on their newest. Whilst tones are still subnautical, there’s a slightly bouncier energy in both tempo and vocals. Fresh off announcing their largest headline show to date, ‘Ladybird’ is another strong showing for NewDad who consistently provide some of the best indie tunes on the island. Think Sløtface meets Wolf Alice and you’re basically there. BM
CMAT – No More Virgos
CMAT continues her push on world domination with the double delight of a new single and a debut album announcement (If My Wife New I’d Be Dead is set for February 2022. ‘No More Virgos’ features CMAT’s penchant for humour and heart all in one, with a soft disco feel. AC
Junior Brother – Life’s New Haircut
The south-west’s most distinctive voice makes a welcome return to the new releases column this month. Whilst his debut was raw, wild folk music, Junior Brother’s latest is dark, atmospheric and sparse. With a grey emotional vista and chilling lyrics, ‘Life’s New Haircut’ has acoustics that boom like percussion and vocals that go for miles that pitch, rise and fall with an untamed logic. BM
Niamh Regan – Love You Senseless
A charming song with a more complicated meaning as Galway’s Niamh Regan sings of loving someone who needs help but won’t accept it. A vibrant vehicle for Regan’s vocals, a breezy track that floats through it’s three minutes with fuzzy, nostalgic production that builds in delight towards its conclusion. AC
Kev Olden – Ache
Spacey Americana from this Irish songwriter is just what the doctor ordered. Slices of the restrained, atmospheric folk music are also audible, but the restraint is never lessened. A worthy wielder of tension and suspense right until the final crescendo, Olden never lets the song get away from him, allowing for a full appreciation of the delicate but dense arrangements that make this such a joy to listen to. BM
Taylor Lily – Hazy Jane
A first single release from new Cork artist Taylor Lily, a track that lives up to its name. ‘Hazy Jane’ is a downbeat pop song that sounds lost in an ambient haze. The song’s simplicity in atmospherics allows the emotional weight of Lily’s vocals to carry forward. On the surface, a song about the struggles of being unable to swim but there’s a lot more feeling underneath. AC
Aonair – Think Twice
Unmistakeably 80’s in the best possible way. Donegal producer and songwriter Aonair enlists the vocals of Wyvern Lingo on this sparkly synth driven pop-rock track. The dual vocals are the star on this, amplifying the hooks and giving this track a dancefloor feel as opposed to the indie-funk rock of his earlier singles. (Note to self, find more tracks with sax in them. As much sax as possible). BM
It’s Just Cat – Ache
Bouncy, supple pop grooves and vibes from this one. ‘Ache’ keeps yous on your toes from start to finish, with interesting production, vibrant vocals/delivery and a generous amount of character. one of the more idiosyncratic pop releases of the month. BM
Really Good Time – Best Medicine
A persistent Krautrock beat and bassline runs steadily along with injections of angular guitar parts and shouted vocals jutting in at regular intervals. A double debut single release from the Dublin four-piece. AC
Scattered Ashes – Slow Motion
Described to me in their early days as ‘angular’ and ‘gothic’, it’s good to see that Scattered Ashes can write tracks that transcend hyperbole. Not to be mistake for the post-punk cosplayers that populate the Irish guitar scene in recent years, this new record straddles alt-rock, shoe gaze and pop with ease. A towering number that will surely shred crowds when performed loud, this is the one that made me a fan. BM
Odd Morris – Silhouette
Taken from their debut EP which was just released last month, Odd Morris’ Silhouette is moody but urgent, musically busy. A stream of consciousness, and Dublin heavy, vocal style about the difficulties around masculinity and opening up as a more modern man. AC
Malaki & Tolü Makay – The Light
Two big talents join together for this soulful track on self acceptance and mental health struggles. R&B rhythms and Makay soft vocals are punctuated by Malaki’s grittier raps. A collage of the pair’s individual styles. AC
ROE & Ciaran Lavery – Destroyer
Two familiar faces and esteemed songwriting talents join together for a first collaboration. A mature, emotionally wrought sound that takes a little of each artist, ROE’s voice is front and centre, but musically it’s rather different to what we’re used to from the Derry artist. Lavery’s influence is clear on a song about a toxic relationship. AC
Playlist
