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 Careerist. Words by Aaron Cunningham and Will Mac Aoidh.
Careerist – Sicko
Almost six years to the day from their debut album, Careerist return with new album Silver Birch Lodge. While overcoming uncertain moments in the band’s future in those intervening, they’ve brought an expanded and renewed sonic palette to an album that will please the devotees among us and find new ears. Second single ‘Sicko’ hits with a stomp from Carl Eccles’ dynamic vocals and sharp guitar parts but there’s a whole world beyond it on Silver Birch Lodge. AC
Joshua Burnside – Moon High
We’ve been very lucky to have gotten such a density of Joshua Burnside releases in the last year. It feels like only yesterday Teeth Of Time was released and, like a Christmas gift, here’s ‘Moon High’. It’s a beautifully tender piece with all the songwriting wit & skill that Burnside is acclaimed for. There’s also the promise of more to come: It’s Not Going To Be Okay, the newest Joshua Burnside album, has just been announced. WMA
Chubby Cat – Sleepwalking
Chubby Cat has been unstoppable lately. November last year that saw the release of her first EP THE FINE ART OF DISSOCIATION and it doesn’t seem like she’s stopped for breath since award after gig after single after performance. ‘sleepwalking’ is everything you want in a Chubby Cat song – pure vocals, intriguing musical ideas & a groove that pulls you riiight in. Another big win! WMA
Ciaran Lavery – I Used to Have A Dog
Not one to rest on his laurels, Ciaran Lavery’s new Salaryman EP feels a world away from his brilliant last album. Introspective insights on Light Entertainment felt intentionally hard to grasp, made hazy through metaphor and theatrics. Salaryman and its opener ‘I Used to Have One Dog’ are stripped down and closer to home, bringing an easier, if often melancholic, intimacy to his songwriting again. AC
Sophie French – Head In The Clouds
Sophie French’s third single of the year, ‘Head In The Clouds’ combines straightforward lyricism with vast soundscapes to create something quite grand. Still, the sweet and straight vocals are like an anchor in the dreamy world this track conjures up. It’s a world away from ‘Friday Feels’, one of the highlights of this year’s NI Music prize longlist, showing off Sophie French as an artist of many talents. WMA
Still Searching, Becky McNeice – Feels So Wrong
Belfast based producer and songwriter Sam Stevenson’s latest project features collaborations with four varied Belfast artists on EP Baile Nua. Each track brings a little of his collaborator’s own personality, and that’s evident on the well crafted ‘Feels So Wrong’. Becky McNeice and Still Searching deliver a melancholic break-up track with shades of alt-pop and rock. AC
PARIAH – Orchids
A late October release that flew under our radar, ‘Orchids’ is the second single from Omagh’s PARIAH, just under a year after their debut. Recorded in Derry’s Blast Furnace Studios, the band already have an accomplished sound. Smart guitar work is the polish on an uptempo indie rock track. AC
iIisium – Say It Again
This is my first time coming across ilisium, I’ll admit. Gotta say though, Say It Again is a great introduction. It’s got a lot of ferocity and energy but isn’t unfriendly or harsh. It’s got some of the vibe & atmosphere of shoegaze but with much more of an emphasis on creating melody and groove. It’s a great first impression for me, no matter how you describe it. WMA
Playlist
