Aoife Nessa Frances, ‘Emptiness Follows’

In major Irish music news this week, it was announced that Aoife Nessa Frances has signed to Partisan Records – joining a roster that includes the likes of Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Just Mustard and Laura Marling. To coincide with the announcement, the Dublin artist shared a new single, 'Emptiness Follows'. It offers a hugely promising taste of what to expect from her follow-up to 2020's Land Of No Junction.

Ye Vagabonds, ‘Lord Gregory’

Nine Waves, the new album from Ye Vagabonds, is released via Rough Trade's River Lea imprint today. Produced by John 'Spud' Murphy (Lankum, black midi, Caroline), the album further establishes the duo as one of the most quietly authoritative forces in Irish music, as they continue to expand their sound across a compelling collection of both traditional and original tracks.

Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies, ‘The Living Wake’

Following the release of their debut album, Euphoric Recall, last year, the Limerick act make their eagerly anticipated return with 'The Living Wake' – described as "a song about emigrations and its effect on the Irish psyche." The haunting track further establishes Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies as one of the most crucial acts currently making music in Ireland.

Caoivín, ‘A New Age’

Blending traditional and contemporary elements, Caoivín returned this week with 'A New Age'. The Galway-based producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist grew up playing trad music, before finding himself drawn to the likes of Khruangbin, Tinariwen and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The new track features a repurposed chorus from the old folk song 'Willie Taylor'.

Scustin, ‘Sick Of Making Love To You’

Following its premiere on hotpress.com, 'Sick Of Making Love To You' is unleashed on streaming services today. It showcases a new side to Scustin's artistry, opting for a laidback groove over the wild hijinks of their debut single, 'The Killer', and drawing inspiration from the likes of Mild High Club and Homeshake. Once again, immersive storytelling is at the centre of the band's approach – as their mononymous frontman Larry explores "the sexualization of the media and output of adult content in general by personifying it as a lover who 'makes you think romance is dead'."

The Love Buzz, ‘Wild One’

The Cork alt-rock three-piece have shared their first single since teaming up with independent label FIFA Records. 'Wild One' follows 'Here Comes The Scum', and showcases a band confidently finding their own high-energy sound and direction. Formed in 2017, The Love Buzz features Kieran Hurley (vocals/guitar), Aidan Lynch (bass) and Henry Love (drums).

Lisa McHugh, ‘Dynamite’

Written by Picture This, 'Dynamite' is the sixth single to be shared from Lisa McHugh's upcoming album. The track explores themes of empowerment and learning to grow and move on from difficult situations.

"I’m excited to be back releasing music again, and back performing," Lisa says. "I’m so proud of this single and feel blessed to be trusted by Picture This with one of their songs, and I hope I’ve done them proud. I feel so lucky that I get to do this for a living."

The Blizzards, 'Something Grips You, Something Holds You'

Among the highlights of The Blizzards' fourth studio album, Sometimes We See More In The Dark (out today), is 'Something Grips You, Something Holds You' – featuring the voice of Irish writer Michael Harding. The track delves into a particularly significant memory from Bressie's teenage years.

“That song is as personal as it gets for me,” he tells Hot Press in the new issue. “It’s about the day Kurt Cobain died – and the Christian Brother punching the desk, calling him a coward, and screaming in my face. I just remember going, ‘This is my hero. How are you talking about him like this?’ I didn’t even know what had happened. I was 14 years of age, and I was in the midst of my own shit. That whole song is what I should have heard that day – what I needed to hear, as somebody who was upset and confused.”

Echotal, ‘Poseidon’

Six months after the release of their powerful single 'Endless Fields', Echotal have returned with 'Poseidon' – and an accompanying music video by Chariot of Black Moth.

As well as featuring vocals and guitar from David Rooney, acoustic guitar and effects from God Is An Astronaut's Torsten Kinsella, and harmony vocals from Jay Willson and Gavin McCabe, 'Poseidon' finds Echotal once again collaborating with London-based cellist and composer Jo Quail. The song's lyrics came to Rooney in a dream he had "about waiting for a loved one to return to where we had spent time by the sea, feeling that the reunification was unlikely but knowing that should I awake it never would."

Villa In France, ‘Green Machine’

Hailing from the Northern coast of Northern Ireland, Villa In France have shared the second self-produced single from their upcoming debut EP. The indie-rock three-piece have described 'Green Machine' as "the most experimental single" they've released so far – exploring themes of capitalism and generational wealth.

Sophie Doyle Ryder, ‘Sucker’

Rapidly rising pop star Sophie Doyle Ryder releases her debut EP, Beginner's Luck, today. As well as featuring previously released singles 'Don't Want No Boyfriend' and 'Hunni Hunni', the project contains three brand new songs – all of which are primed for major radioplay as we step into summer.

Seán McComish, ‘May’

Wexford singer-songwriter Seán McComish embraces a laidback summer energy on 'May' – a feel-good song which he hopes will bring some hope and joy following the challenges of the last two years.

“It would feel counter-productive if I released this song during any other month!” he laughs.

Dbo, Giggs & Lethal Bizzle, ‘Dapper Dan’

Drogheda drill collective A92 continue to put their town on the map, as one of their breakout stars, Dbo, teams up with UK legends Giggs and Lethal Bizzle for collaborative track 'Dapper Dan'. The single is set to feature on Lethal Bizzle's upcoming project, Lethal B Vs Lethal Bizzle, out on June 10.

Abbacaxi, ‘You Took My Love’

Dublin's Abbacaxi continues to establish himself as one of the most hotly tipped forces on the homegrown scene with his new six-track EP, Endless, out today. 'You Took My Love', which premiered on hotpress.com yesterday, is among the project's captivating highlights.

"I wrote the Endless EP when I returned to Ireland after many years of living abroad," the artist also known as Thomas Garnett explains. "I had no money, but I was having a great time writing my own music, making new friends and reacquainting myself with old ones. These tracks are inadvertently linked to those times, as I made my way through the murky waters of my early twenties, and both the beautiful and ugly moments which come along with that."

Cabin, 'Whatever You Have'

The Dublin producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist returns with captivating new single 'Whatever You Have' – completing the series of four tracks conceived and produced during the creative surge that led to the creation of Cabin as a the musical project.

"This is a piece that embodies how I look at and approach creating music as an individual," he explains. "That we now have the ability to create something far larger than ourselves, we should strive towards that."

Lee Rogers, 'Silent Song'

Carrickfergus-based singer-songwriter Lee Rogers has unveiled his new album, Gameblood, today – featuring 'Silent Song' among the highlights.

“My dad was as hard as the road he walked on but had the softest heart for us and my mother, who he loved unconditionally," Lee comments. "He had a fighting spirit, and that’s what I believe ‘Gameblood’ means and is where the album title comes from.”

Listen to the 'New Irish Songs To Hear This Week' playlist below:

Read interviews with Ye Vagabonds, The Blizzards, and many, many more, in the new issue of Hot Press – out now: