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 Strange New Places. Words by Aaron Cunningham and Will Mac Aoidh.
Strange New Places – Sleep for Dinner
We’re only a few weeks away from a debut album from Strange New Places, with Second Puberty releasing on 20 June. ‘Sleep for Dinner’ is the third single from the album with the band bemoaning fatigue and depression through upbeat, tongue-in-cheek indie punk – as is their way. Extra notable is the self-taught puppetry and DIY ethos of the music video. AC
Rachel Craig – Blameless
You can always rely on Rachel Craig for top-class writing. Such an atmospheric, captivating song with such a gorgeous, delicate voice to lead it. It’s a pleasure to hear more from Rachel Craig after her singles in 2023 – she has a talent that only grows. WMA
Lucy Robinson – Big Talk
‘Big Talk’ is such a groovy lil’ banger and Lucy Robinson is a hell of a songwriter. The third single in the last year (following ‘Simply’ and ‘Everlove’) makes a trio that’s stylish, distinct and full of wit. Hyper-funky guitar and percussion support a rich, warm voice spitting witty, well-crafted lyrics – I already know ‘Big Talk’ is gonna stick in my head for weeks. WMA
David Glendinning – 25 to Midnight
A fourth release from North Coast songwriter David Glendinning, and arguably his best to date. Glendinning’s smooth voice finds a perfect home amongst a new neo-soul influenced indie sound. Brass and synth inject even more colour into this laid back tune. AC
The Bonnevilles – Age of Monsters
You can pour this dark, bluesy rock straight from the bottle – ‘Age of Monsters’ is a riff-heavy, no-nonsense soundtrack for a smokey bar that keeps an unpretentious demeanour while it decries the atrocity of Gazan genocide and the politics that allow horrors like it to continue – a very important track for the times that are in it. Fans of this track will be delighted to hear that this is the title track to an upcoming album in July, so more and more blues-rock goodness to come! WMA
Penny’s Band – Leaving for America
Penny’s Band have created a bit of buzz around themselves since their emergence, rounding out May with a headline show in the Oh Yeah. The four-piece are following a rich vein of indie bands from the North but third release ‘Leaving for America’ proves they aren’t just making up the numbers. A ‘heartbreak anthem’ about the pain of leaving, it’s the sound of a band in top form. AC
Nadia – Dream On
The dream of the Eurovision is not dead in NADIA’s ‘Dream On’, a thumping electro-pop track that wouldn’t be out of place in a Swedish disco or a 90’s runway. NADIA’s name is popping up everywhere, including touring with the wildly popular LYRA, so no doubt it’s a name we’ll be hearing more and more of. WMA
M Alexander – Social Event of the Year
M Alexander cites a range of influences, which is evident in the varied sound of his releases to date. ‘Social Event of the Year’ is an intriguing listen, with ambient sounds giving way to a piano ballad with a welcome hook. There’s similarities to fellow Belfast songwriter Moon Landing with a filmic sound on show. AC
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