Every month we take a look back at the best new releases from Northern Ireland in our featured playlist. A showcase for the sheer amount of talent coming out of the North, and a playlist worthy of repeat listening. This month’s cover artist is Moon Landing. Words by Aaron Cunningham and Martha Greer.
FEATURED TRACKS
Moon Landing – Violet
‘Violet’ is the second release this year from songwriter Jake McCrea aka Moon Landing. Written after the loss of a friend to suicide last year, ‘Violet’ shows beauty amongst the sadness, as the orchestral soundscape swirls then lifts it all into catharsis. AC
Cathal Francis – Go On
Indie folk singer-songwriter Cathal Francis releases his first single since their gripping self-released EP. ‘Go On’ is a beautifully crafted story of unrequited love, sombre in feeling through the use of muted guitar and airy vocals. MG
Eve Belle – TV
Donegal songwriter Eve Belle, now based in Belfast, releases her new EP Sharp Relief led by single ‘TV’, her first in three years. A track that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, mixing characters on screen with the people around her. AC
Disorder – Pretty, Pretty, Pretty
Perfectly capturing the joys of young love, Disorder’s ‘Pretty, Pretty, Pretty’ is a true crowd pleaser. The sing-along chorus is engrossing with bold vocals, chiming guitars, and sprinklings of 70s synths. MG
Stratford Rise – World’s Fair
Bangor quartet Stratford Rise explore the workings of math and experimental rock during their genre defying single ‘World’s Fair’, a song that demonstrates an overwhelming sense of musical ability throughout its contradictory twists and turns. MG
Orchids – Memoria
The first release of a new project, Orchids sees Michael Smyth (Virgins, THVS) recruit six female vocalists from NI to bring these tracks to life. The first from the album is ‘Memoria’ a riff-heavy, mid-western emo driven featuring Wynona Bleach’s Melyssa Shannon. AC
Dark Tropics – Carnival
‘Carnival’ is Dark Tropics’ newest single which delves into the ideas of holiday romances. There is a tempting charm to this darkening track whilst the vocals glimmer amongst the analogue instrumentation. MG
Chubby Cat – KISSIN’ IN THE VALLEY-O
The latest from the Belfast based artist is an eclectic melding of sounds as Chubby Cat presents the trials of the housing crisis in an alt pop package. Sharp production elevates the clipped sounds, beats and vocals. AC
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