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 Jack Devlin. Words by Aaron Cunningham and Will Mac Aoidh.
Jack Devlin – Default Days
Belfast songwriter Jack Devlin has been around for a while but this summer feels like a fresh start after patches of shows and releases over the past number of years. The second of two new singles, ‘Default Days’, is a show of indie-pop songwriting force. A nostalgia tinted track that yearns to find new ears. Earnest energy with an earworm of a chorus. AC
Ciaran Lavery – Protestant Funeral
A beautiful, slow ballad by one of Northern Ireland’s most impressive songwriters. ‘Protestant Funeral’ makes a soft pair with ‘Ida’ released in June, following the bombastic Light Entertainment album from 2024. Lavery’s a prolific writer, something we should all be grateful for. WMA
TRÚ – Norah
TRÚ have been quiet this year, while last year saw the band head to North America for a handful of live appearances. On the release front it’s been even quieter, with new single ‘Norah’ their first release in two years. A trio that dips heavily into folk and celtic tradition, ‘Norah’ is a slight departure. Built from a found traditional lyric, with Michael Mormecha unusually taking on lead vocals for the band, the influences and production here cast a wider musical net around their vocal harmonies. AC
King Cedar – Hush, My God
King Cedar dropped new EP No More Dead Than The Other on the 17th and I’m digesting it slow, like a cat snoozing in a sunbeam. ‘Hush, My God’ is the moody, driven first track that sets up the EP for success with a soft, pulsing beat and dense, weaving textures. Take a listen to the whole EP if you’re looking for a well-crafted treat this evening. WMA
Problem Patterns – Classic Rock Has Become My Prison
Sometimes you see a title like ‘Classic Rock Has Become My Prison’ and you know a song is gonna hit you like a train. Problem Patterns tear apart classic rock like soft bread and I hoot and a-holler for more. Luckily, I can get way more when their new album Boring Songs for Boring People drops on 12 September. WMA
Rachael Boyd – Flutter
Dublin based, Belfast born multi-instrumentalist Rachael Boyd will be unknown to many with her last string of music releasing almost a decade ago. Time has not dulled her creativity, with Boyd quietly releasing a new EP Rain Sound. It’s a wonderful return that highlights her production and compositional talents, a release that melds classical with electronic. AC
ghoulgirl, LochHaven – velvet
An immaculate mood is conjured by ghoulgirl’s velvet, a kind of warm nostalgia tempered with the hint of irony lo-fi provides. I love the aesthetic of it all, the comforting fuzz and the soft, telephone-line vocals make velvet stand apart in a well-trodden genre. WMA
No Naime – Down by the River
No Naime is the solo moniker of Electric Octopus’ Tyrell Black. Black’s solo releases have flown under our radar, but it’s clear he has a lot of music to get out there. New album My Naked Heart is his second long release this summer, following the much more esoteric Lotus in the Void. ‘Down by the River’ opens this new collection of songs, a minimalist folk song with Black’s voice accompanied by simple acoustics, and adorned by similarly lowkey percussion and woodwind. AC
Playlist
