The wait is finally over – the special new dual cover edition of Hot Press is here, starring two of the most thrilling bands flying the flag for Ireland on the global stage, Inhaler and The Academic!

With both bands releasing their acclaimed new albums, we decided to celebrate by creating two unique covers – so fans of both Inhaler and The Academic can pick up a copy of the issue with their heroes on the front...

About to unleash their latest opus, Cuts & Bruises, Dublin indie-pop heroes Inhaler talk Stateside adventures, drinking in Dingle, Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., Harry Styles, and a whole lot more.

"These days it feels like music, especially live music, is the only place for escapism," the band reflect...

Inhaler. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Meanwhile, with second album Sitting Pretty, indie-pop maestros The Academic continue their incredible ascent, which has included mad Transatlantic dashes, a run of classic singles, and much-discussed Stones support slots.

"It feels like a natural progression without losing sight of what makes us... us," they tell Pat Carty...

The Acacemic. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Elsewhere in the issue...

Back with her majestic new album, All Of This Is Chance, Lisa O'Neill discusses Patrick Kavanagh, signing to Rough Trade Records, and her Cavan roots.

Trailblazing quintet M(h)aol on their debut album Attachment Styles, overcoming trauma, period sex, multifaceted feminism, the dark but ever-evolving history of the new Irish state, and more...

Irish star Niamh Algar dicsusses her lead role in Malpractice, the gripping new medical thriller from the makers of Line Of Duty...

Fresh from the success of the Full Circle mixtape with collaborator Elzzz, genre-blending rap artist TraviS discusses faith, family, Nigerian-Irish culture, and chart-topping ambition...

TraviS and Elzzz. By Abigail Ring

As Belfast rockers New Pagans gear up for a mammoth 2023, frontwoman Lyndsey McDougall guides Will Russell through the economics of the music industry, Masonic embroidery and Swedish interior design. Oh, and the group's cracking sophomore album, Making Circles Of Our Own...

Disco-pop sensation SG Lewis on his superb new album AudioLust & HigherLove, autobiographical songwriting and superstar collaborations...

As she returns with a bold new single, 'Hurt Like Hell', Dublin pop star Aimée discusses the importance of championing other women in the industry, her childhood ban on Abba, and being the most-played Irish woman on the radio in 2022...

Aimée. Credit: Ryan Douglas

It was poet Laura Murphy who first made the call to establish Brigid's Day as a public holiday. In the new issue, she explains the background to the campaign, and talks movingly about the legacy of the Mother and Baby Homes in her own family, the Catholic Church, poetry, activism, the far-right, healing, reconnecting with ancient Irish traditions – and her gift of imbas forosnai...

Over the past five years, Limerick has consistently maintained the highest rate of suicide nationwide. Limerick City resident Molly Cantwell explores the efforts being made to reduce these numbers, and possible factors in the mental health crisis keeping this city in a chokehold...

As the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland gets ready to kick-off again, our man in the sheepskin jacket Tadhg Williams offers a team-by-team guide to the next ten months of homegrown footballing action...

Following the untimely death of Lisa Marie Presley last month, Paul Nolan reflects on her remarkable – and often turbulent – life and times, and also recalls a memorable visit to Graceland in September of last year...

Lisa Marie Presley. Credit: Christopher Polk

Plus: Your Place Or Mine director Aline Brosh McKenna, The Fabelmans star Gabriel LaBelle, Jacqueline Crooks, Walter Iuzzolino, The Hot Press Great Outdoors Guide, Extraordinary's Máiréad Tyers, Disfreq, Jack O'Rourke, and more...

You can also look forward to all the hottest reviews, previews and news you could imagine...

So don't miss out! Pick up your copy of the new dual cover edition issue of Hot Press in shops now – or order online below: