Every month we take a look back at the best new releases from Northern Ireland, showcasing the sheer amount of talent coming out of the North in our featured playlist. This month’s cover artist is Wynona Bleach. Words by Aaron Cunningham, Will Mac Aoidh & Michael Wilkinson.
Wynona Bleach – Not Cool With It
The 2nd single from their upcoming second album Animal Style, ‘Not Cool With It’ diverges from the shoegaze centric sounds we’ve come to expect from Wynona Bleach. Feeling a little more pop orientated with some modern Paramore elements it’s a great track with an exceedingly catchy guitar line. Alongside the previous single ‘Religion’, Animal Style is already looking like another fantastic album. MW
The Thing Is – I Would Rather
Downpatrick alt rockers The Thing Is have been in our sights and our playlist since they emerged in 2023. A few years on from their debut ‘Earwax’, they’re back with their first of 2026 with new single ‘I Would Rather’. It follows that fiery thread from last year’s ‘Coint’ with the band in impassioned form. Recorded through our very own Kickstart competition after their win last year, it’s another triumph for the The Thing Is. Released alongside a colourful, lo-fi music video by Eoin Bannon. AC
Makeshift Art Bar – Chocolate
The unrelenting pace and energy of ‘Chocolate’ are the stuff dream noise bands are made of, a frenetic explosion framed by sounds you maybe didn’t know guitars could make. Palpitating electronic synths fight with rock-steady drum beats and wailing guitar to create a sonic landscape that just doesn’t let up. With Chocolate’s release comes news of Makeshift Art Bar’s next EP, Marionette on 26 June. WMA
Arborist – Looking 4 Love
The first Arborist release in a hot minute, it’s been a three year wait since 2023’s An Endless Sequence of Dead Zeroes. It’s the sound of a Belfast evening as McCambridge’s voice takes us on a contemplative, and perhaps conflicted, walk through the city. A sound full of new textures from a soft beat, to piano strings and harp – it’s both dark and beautiful. The video (by Tristian Crowe), filmed against the backdrop of a July bonfire, is a stunning compliment to the track. AC
ROE – Adrenaline
Adrenaline’s jangly guitars, steady bass and lovingly repetitive verses feel like they’ve been lifted directly out of a 1990’s feelgood high school movie. It’s such a light and airy song, you could drink it through a straw. It’s sweet without being cloying and raucous without being belligerent. Another top-tier addition from ROE’s series of releases since last September’s ‘Lydia’, a series I hope brings even more ROE tunes very soon.WMA
Cartin & Tessio – Easy
This was a link up we didn’t expect. ‘Easy’ sees two Derry artists joining hands on a superb new track. Cartin, a fairly eclectic producer lays persistent beats and euphoric electronics underneath the well matched voices of folk duo Tessio. It’s a wonderful and surprising release. AC
Silk – Auralux
Settling in to listen to ‘Auralux’ feels like slipping into a warm, relaxing bath. The distorted guitars add a bit of bite but not so much that you feel like you’re listening to anything heavy – if anything, they’re more like the foundation to the wall of sound that you can get lost in. Listening with headphones on is highly recommended, especially when you listen to the rest of the ‘Auralux’ mini-album, releasing on 7 May. WMA
How r u – no regrets
The latest collaboration from how r u serves up another track to accompany you on those long solitary walks at sunset laden with self reflection. Ambient Midwest Emo collides with an Elliot Smith influence on this one with guitar delay, heavy vocal reverbs and droning synth working to concoct the most melancholic of atmospheres. MW
Bosco Ramos – Vultures
It didn’t escape our notice that three-piece Bosco Ramos are back releasing their first new music in 8 years. ‘Vultures’ is the second since their return; with its bruising riffs and Northern accented shouts, it’s reminiscent of the Glasgowbury heyday – think Fighting with Wire or LaFaro. The band sound like they’ve never been away. AC
Shamrock Showband – Last Of Cromwell
When I heard Shamrock Showband described as ‘Irish country & western, psychedelic, folk and punk’, I was a wee bit thrown. Then I heard ‘My Wee Car’ and I got it. I felt like Shamrock Showband had, perhaps with the assistance of a spiritual guide, seen right into my heart and played what it found back to me. ‘Last Of Cromwell’ is similarly soul-revealing, an off-the-way instrumental piece that, I swear to god, really is Irish country and western, psychedelic, folk and punk mixed together. If this sounds like your thing, Shankill Road Mission is their latest album and it’s out mid June. WMA
Playlist
