Every month sees more and more great Irish music released to the world. Aaron Cunningham selects some of his favourite releases of last month, including cover artist Æ MAK. All handily found in our rotating playlist.
Æ MAK – Shimmer Boy
The now Berlin based artist’s latest single comes with news of UK & Ireland dates later this month, including a rare Belfast show. The track radiates with passion, featuring lyrical inserts from her own texts with the song’s subject. The aptly named ‘Shimmer Boy’ sparkles with late night nostalgia and dance, another push into new sounds from Æ MAK aka Aoife McCann.
Fya Fox – GHOST
Fya Fox‘s collection of alt pop tunes often range from the quieter to swing for the fences hits, with ‘GHOST‘ leaning towards the former. A subtler mix of sounds, Fya Fox’s emotive vocals breathes through well produced instrumentation including basslines and gorgeously low-key percussion.
Girlfriend. – Trust
Dublin’s girlfriend. have had a long history, though with their live and DIY ethos ‘Trust’ marks just their third single. There’s an indie haze around ‘Trust’ with even its bigger moments wrapped in reverb and filled with little moments from orchestral synths, guitar riffs and vocal shouts.
Really Good Time – Victory Button
There’s a really accomplished mix of sounds in the Dublin four-piece’s latest, from THUMPER to LCD Soundsystem. The result is danceable fuzzed-out rock with guitars riffs, dynamic vocals and great hooks making this a winner.
The Cope – Back On My Bullshit
The Dublin & Berlin based duo of David Anthony Curley and Joe Furlong bring an inspired Carlsbad in on vocals for a second release of the month following ‘Oíche’. An unstoppably big track with pulsating beats, bass and sirens, Carlsbad vocals are reminiscent of the attitude of fellow Irish act Mhaol both in tone and defiance.
Chalk – Asking
Belfast three-piece Chalk build on their growing success with the latest single taken next month’s debut EP. A melding of genres, it’s another dark dose of post-punk with elements of heavy electronics and Ross Cullen’s deep vocals. Building on the likes of Gilla Band and The Murder Capital, the band that have carved their own niche and success in a short space of time.
Swimmers Jackson – Now Is All
Taken from album number two with the same name, ‘Now Is All’ is the latest from London based Niall Jackson, better known as Swimmers Jackson. The guitar based indie of ‘Now Is All’ builds a base for the big chorus and Jackson’s lyrics about the present day.
Chanele McGuinness – Stray Dog
Donegal songwriter’s ‘Stray Dog’ is a brooding number and her first release of the year. Sharp and sporadic electric guitar underpins McGuinness’ affecting vocals for a track full of atmosphere and emotion.
Anna’s Anchor – Function Room Floor
Limerick’s Anna’s Anchor rolls back the years on big nostalgic single ‘Function Room Floor’. A new chapter for the ever evolving project, and a single that precedes album number four this July. Anthemic indie with themes of teenage awkwardness.
Still Blue – Honeysuckle Daydream
Our love in with Still Blue continues with newest single ‘Honeysuckle Daydream’ out last week, fresh from some big support slots.. The group’s penchant for hugely charming pop is out in full force on this feel good number.
Perlee – Reckoning
Another Berlin based Irish act, duo Perlee look forward to their debut album this April with the release of ‘Reckoning’. Persistent and low fuzz drives this track on but there’s an ethereal presence in the dream pop, melancholic vocals.
Nylophone – So Cool
Nylophone turns toward the arms of synth-wave on latest tune ‘So Cool’. A departure from the more folk based sounds of his previous releases, ‘So Cool’ nonetheless displays the same knack for arrangements with synths taking us back to the 80s.
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