As she finally unleashes her eagerly awaited debut album – which she celebrated with a special Windmill Live show on the eve of the release – we're saluting one of the boldest forces in Irish pop: with a brand new cover of Hot Press starring LYRA, out now!

In her cover story interview, the Co. Cork star talks to Lucy O'Toole about heartbreak, growth, the influence of Sinéad and Dolores, and the long road to her self-titled LP...

“It’s a very personal journey," LYRA says of the album. "I write about everything that happens in my life. Calling it LYRA just seemed like the right thing, because there are 13 different LYRAs on there that people are going to find out about…

“The heartbroken one, the depressed one, the dirty one in LA… The one who had her first one-night stand! The one who got invited to a David Guetta writing camp that was totally out of her comfort zone. They’re all in there.”

Elsewhere in the issue:

Ahead of their biggest show to date this summer, Pillow Queens are back with a new LP, the fearlessly frank Name Your Sorrow. The indie-rock four-piece drop by the Hot Press office to discuss wild times at the Áras, Phoebe Bridgers, Leo Varadkar and Eoin Ó Broin – as well as making music and watching matches with Nashville producer Collin Pastore...

Pillow Queens. Credit: Martyna Bannister

Back To Black director Sam Taylor-Johnson, and stars Marisa Abela and Eddie Marsan, tell Roe McDermott about bringing to the screen the story of Amy Winehouse, the troubled but sublimely gifted artist whose songs touched a generation...

Lily Fontaine, lead singer with English Teacher, discusses Amy Winehouse, Pink Floyd, Poly Styrene, racism and misogyny in music...

English Teacher. Credit: Denmarc Creary

Mark Knopfler talks to Stuart Clark about his new One Deep River album, hanging out with Pete Townshend, Brian Johnson and the late, great Jeff Beck – and why his time in Ireland "is associated with nothing but joy."

Stuart Clark gets up close and personal with one of the biggest bands on the planet, as he attends a top secret Pearl Jam listening session in London...

Having scooped the much-coveted Hot Press: A New Local Hero award, Brad Heidi is on an unstoppable upward trajectory. He talks industry breakthroughs, life-changing travel, meeting Daryl Hall and supporting Billy Joel.

Dublin folk artist Niamh Bury discusses her stellar debut album, Yellow Roses, with Niamh Browne.

The latest novel from Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan, Caledonian Road, explores the culture wars against the panoramic backdrop of modern London. He talks class, Martin Amis, Joyce, Julian Assange, Irvine Welsh and more.

Cork South-West TD Michael Collins has developed a reputation as one of the new breed of populist far right politicians, who revel in making statements that are hostile to immigrants. He has also been vocal in his anti-choice rhetoric. Now, he has formed a political party in an attempt to push his agenda in local elections. So who or what do he – and the so called Independent Ireland party – really represent..?

In our bumper TV section, meanwhile, Paul Nolan meets Fallout stars Kyle MacLachlan and Walton Goggins, and also chats to the cast of action fantasy series Renegade Nell.

And that's not all! With another mouthwatering summer of festival action on the way, we take an in-depth look at the incredible range of events taking place around the country, covering music, film, comedy, books and much, much more, in our Festival Special!

Plus – even more interviews, reviews, previews, news and more...

Pick up your copy of the action-packed new issue in shops now – or order online below...