M(h)aol announce new album Something Soft and release single 'DM:AM'

Irish post-punk trio M(h)aol have announced their second full-length album, Something Soft, set for release on May 16 via Merge Records. Alongside the announcement, they have released a new single called 'DM:AM'.

The band, composed of Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, and Sean Nolan, described 'DM:AM' as a response to the online harassment women face:

"This song is about men DM’ing women online and then getting aggressive when they don’t get the response they want," they explained.

"They quickly turn to insults about the women, and then once the woman says she’ll expose what they’ve done, she gets a laundry list of reasons why he behaves like this and how much he has to lose, which is meant to make the women feel sorry for them."

Something Soft will be their first album since the departure of Róisín Nic Ghearailt in 2023, and Zoë Greenway in 2024. The LP rejects the very notion of softness, both sonically and thematically, exploring intersectional feminism, consumerism, animal welfare, and the struggle to find a place in a world lacking in empathy.

The record was produced by Jamie Hyland and recorded at Dublin’s Ailfionn Studio, featuring Sarah Deegan of Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra on bass.

Known for their intense live performances, M(h)aol will tour extensively following the album’s release, with several stops across Ireland. Cola and Junk Drawer will join as support for the Irish dates.

Check out the full list of Irish live dates below:

May 28- The Black Box, Belfast
May 29- Sandinos, Derry
May 30- The Roisin Dubh, Galway
May 31- Kasbah Social Club, Limerick
June 1 & 2- Coughlans, Cork
June 3- Luca Records and Decks, Waterford
June 4- Whelan’s, Dublin
 

Watch the music video for 'DM:AM' below.

Artwork and tracklist for Something Soft:

1. Pursuit
2. I Miss My Dog
3. You Are Temporary, But the Internet Is Forever
4. DM:AM
5. E8/N16
6. Vin Disel
7. Clementine
8. Snare
9. IBS
10. 1800-Call-Me-Back
11. Coda