NewDad, ‘Sickly Sweet’

Fresh off the back of their Hot Press cover as one of our ‘Hot for 2024’ acts, NewDad are setting 2024 alight. Their debut album MADRA is out today after two years in the making. The record is a testament to how worthwhile it is for a band to take their time with the creative process. One track that demonstrates the group’s attention to detail is ‘Sickly Sweet’. Featuring NewDad’s signature combo of whisper vocals and heavy heavy bass, ‘Sickly Sweet’ is a grungy tune to kick off your weekend. ‘Sickly Sweet’ is like if Pixies and Wolf Alice had a musical baby. 

GNS, 'imadeYOUaboutYOU'

Bearing auditory resemblances to local alternative hip-hop contemporaries like Jafaris and F3miii, GNS offers a vibrant tale of rejection, self-discovery, and liberation on 'imadeYOUaboutYOU'. The Dublin-based artist's latest track is frenetically paced, with a modern production style backing up his mediations on unrequited love.

“My first musical inspiration was Santan Dave,” the rapper told Hot Press last year. “He made rapping look cool for the nerds in my eyes, and he made me feel like I could do music as well. My second inspiration was Tyler, the Creator. He’s someone who really pushes the boundaries on creativity and makes what he thinks is good.”

LYRA, 'Chess'

LYRA released her new single ‘Chess’ which is destined to be another pop hit for the Irish singer.

“My dad taught me how to play chess when I was younger. It was a massive mind game and when I grew up it reminded me about a lot of obstacles I had to get through in order to find out who I am,” LYRA said.

The song opens with a dark, pulsating beat that then combines with LYRA’s powerful vocals. She has already been performing the single at many of her shows in 2023, most notably Electric Picnic, but to celebrate its official release LYRA will be going out on a 22 date Irish Tour this spring. Tickets are sold on LYRA’s website.

Jesse June, 'Maybe Next Time'

Up-and-coming artist Jesse June released his new single ‘Maybe Next Time’ that captures how it feels to build up the courage to try again when you fail. June Nigerian Irish artist who focuses on music as well as poetry.

In the same vein as Kendrick Lamar, June’s music carries a melodic beat paired with raw emotions in the lyrics. June utilises repetition in his music which highlights the message of each song.

‘Maybe Next Time’ is tranquil and introspective and speaks to the universal experience of reaching for your goals and having to try again and again.

Some One's Sons, 'One More Minute'

This new track from Mullinger-based Irish folk band will bring tears to your eyes. The track is a gut-wrenching ballad that speaks to the difficulties that come along with grief. The track is emotional and harmonic and feels like it was made with love.

As Some One’s Sons describes it, “‘One More Minute’ is a musical journey that explores the universal theme of longing for just a bit more time with those we hold dear.”

Some One’s Sons have three shows coming up in March. They will be at The Grand Social in Dublin on March 7, then Liverpool Irish Centre in Liverpool on March 16, then Róisín Dubh in Galway on March 30. Tickets are now available.

JyellowL, 'Judas' feat. Toshín

The song opens with a rich piano solo that is greeted with a modern rhythmic beat. Then JyellowL, a Dublin-based rapper comes in with conviction and empowering lyrics about overcoming adversity. Then Toshín comes in with strong marvellous vocals that mirror JyellowLs lyrics saying “you’re not gonna hold me down.”

“It’s about pushing forward, no matter what life throws at you,” shares JyellowL. “Judas might knock you down, but you get back up, stronger and wiser.”

‘Judas’ is also a contender to be Ireland’s Eurovision song. JyellowL would have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the international competition in May. “It’s an absolute honour to be one of 6 shortlisted acts to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2024…This is different for me because now I will actually be looking to carry the Eurovision ambitions of the country on my shoulders and I will do it with pride,” JyellowL said.

Lilla Vargen, 'Belong'

Lilla Vargen’s latest single ‘Belong’ is just a taste of what’s to come from the Irish singer-songwriter. Filled with vulnerability, the track highlights Vargen’s superb vocals as she wrestles with feelings of loss, confusion and belonging. As the first release from her upcoming Spring EP, ‘Belong’ serves as a captivating introduction to Vargen’s story of overcoming life’s setbacks. 

“I'm proud of this work,” Vargen said of the EP. “ I’ve had the space and time to write the songs I want to write, produce the music I want to produce, and the whole process has been a breath of fresh air. In our industry, it’s sometimes the loudest voices, rather than the most creative ones, that get heard, and I hope this EP will give my audience a sense of what that can feel like. Ultimately, these songs are about new beginnings, and having the drive to keep going. But they’re also about rediscovering the joy of music.”

Boyfrens, 'To Skin, A Rat'

The first in a string of releases, Boyfren’s ‘To Skin, A Rat’ is the electro-pop mix EDM fans have been waiting for.

Featuring a pulsating beat, saturated synths and modulated vocals, the track is rife with intensity and release, transporting listeners to a late-night dance floor. 

Boyfren, the songwriting and production project of Irish electronic artist Jack Hevery, will be releasing a full EP on 2nd May. Exploring themes of masculinity, intimacy, relationship-dynamics and self-doubt, the upcoming release will feature a club-focused sound geared toward pop and EDM fans alike.

Gonzo Fever, 'Scream'

The psychedelic sounds of the 70s return with Gonzo Fever’s debut single ‘Scream,’ expertly blending a chill beat with frenzied guitar riffs, a hypnotic bass line and anthemic vocals. The Irish trio pushes the boundaries of psych rock, bringing listeners a high-energy track infused with raw emotion and fierce energy. 

“Scream is about that backwards toxic place that stifled your growth and the moment you decide to leave it behind for a reality of your own making,” said lead vocalist Jack Taheny. “There’s a conversation you have with the two sides of your mind, willing yourself to listen to the pain you’re feeling and act on it. It’s about all the fear and anxiety brought on by a drastic change, but also the sheer excitement and adrenaline of facing your demons and giving them the finger.”

The Crayon Set, 'Elvis is Alive'

Aptly described as “the song the mainstream media doesn’t want you to hear,” The Crayon Set’s latest release is a poetic exploration of truth and reality. Delicate, lullaby vocals are paired perfectly with droning synths and 70s style strings to create an infectious take on alternative pop.

The Dublin-based band has released three studio albums over ten years, with music featured in film and TV soundtracks alongside appearances at top Irish festivals and venues such as Electric Picnic, Other Voices, and Indiependence.  

Gemma Hayes, 'Feed The Flame'

Gemma Hayes’ latest release ‘Feed The Flames’ combines soft intensity with intimate songwriting as she explores themes of conflict, love and freedom. 

“I originally began writing the song after watching Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton,” said Hayes of the news track. “Knowing a bit about their relationship off screen I was really taken by the depth of their connection, it was a living, breathing fire. What I got from delving into their relationship is that you can love something or someone so much only for your human fallibility to come along and destroy it.”

Alongside the new release, Hayes has announced her Spring 2024 tour dates across Ireland, including a headline show at Vicar Street, Dublin on 18th May. 

Niamh Bury, 'Budapest'

Back with a new indie-folk hit, Niamh Bury's newest release ‘Budapest’ is the ethereal folk track we needed this winter, featuring Bury’s warm, dream-like vocals and a peaceful accompaniment of strings and piano. 

“Budapest was written during a cold February in Dublin,” said Bury of the new track. “It's about the places we escape to in our imaginations – outer space or a city we’re dreaming of packing up and leaving to. It’s about the yearning to step outside of your own story to chase that feeling of being a small part of a bigger picture.”

The soft acoustic melody serves as the first release from Bury’s upcoming album Yellow Rose, coming 29th March. 

MELTS, ‘Figment’

Dublin alt-rockers MELTS announce their upcoming album Field Theory with the bulldozing lead single ‘Figment’. Pulsating would be an understatement, with the song combining a Prodigy flavoured electro-attitude with the post-punk atmosphere synonymous with the capital in recent years. Recorded in Black Mountain Studios with Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox, the group’s sophomore LP will drop April 12.

“Like gravity we are drawn to and miss people and like light waves we love people and are loved,” said MELTS on the record’s science-inspired title. “The album explores these forces, how we relate to each other, the people we live with and the people we live without.”

Colm Gavin, ‘It’s Starting to Feel Like Love’

Dublin singer-songwriter Colm Gavin takes us back to the romantic days with this romantic number. Taken from his second album Diggin’ The Idleflower , the track is elegantly tied together through piano, woodwind, and string arraignments, which echo his affection for 19^th century composers like Gustav Mahler and Ralp Vaughan Williams.

A labelmate of Moya Brennan at BEO Records, Gavin traverses many old-timey influences on his new LP, with its eight songs covering everything from Jazz duets, bluesy foot-stompers, and ragtime picking tunes.

 

Dreamer, ‘Vancouver’

Exciting up-and-comers Dreamer follow up their anthemic debut single with the rollicking 'Vancouver', an addictingly catchy, energetic alt-rock tune evoking a healthy dose '00s British explosion nostalgia, ripe with singalong choruses and piercing guitars.

Accomplished musicians and friends, the foursome decided to join forces and form the band last spring. Well educated in many respects, Vocalist Eimear O'Sullivan studied music production at Pulse College, where drummer Alex Lanigan also attended, while Lead guitarist Jamie O'Donoghue and bassist Josh Daly are both BIMM alumni. They have two EP releases planned for release in in June and December 2024, and are set to begin recording for their debut album which will launch early in 2025.

NO PHOTOS, ‘Sundays Are Always Quiet’

Five dudes hailing from Dublin, NO PHOTOS’s new single ‘Sundays Are Always Quiet’  exhibits a laid-back, electro-indie vibe. Imagine The Slow Rush-era Tame Impala sprinkled on top of some The Kid Laroi-style R&B pop sensibilities.

This trippy bob is washed in synths, with lyrics meditating on boredom, yearning, and procrastination.  “I was trying to portray constantly feeling like you're living the same day over and over again and that it just won't end—but at the same time, you've made peace with it cause it's all you've ever really known,” says vocalist Casper Ivy.

The Gardiner Brothers, 'Boy From The Mountain'

The latest from the viral Irish dancers, The Gardiner Brothers, ‘Boy From The Mountain’ is a lighthearted track underscored by Irish folk instrumentation and compelling production. 'Boy From The Mountain' tells the tale of young lad who dives into the deep end and soon finds he is in over his head, he's trying to save himself but has created a situation of chaos he can't escape from.

The track started out as an entry to this year’s Eurovision. Not making the cut, the 10 second clip of the song released last week on social media went viral amassing global support with over 2 million views across socials and a slew of supportive comments from fans around the world.

Ben Reel, 'Inshallah Shalom'

A song that is a prayer for peace, that is what Ben Reel has written for his new single ‘Inshallah Shalom’.

The track was created in honour and memory of both Rainbow George Weiss and Paul Weatherhead aka Whipper and it contains heartfelt lyrics from Weiss and psychedelic flute and DJ scratching samples from Weatherhead.

For years it lay dormant amongst the various files on Reels’ harddrive until the war in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine. Now the ethereal track is catching the attention of audiences across the world. “The song has a hypnotic vibe to it as the chorus chants a mantra for peace which i wish can help send out a healing energy to the world in these troubled times,” Reel said.

Orchids, ‘Mannequin’

A northern Irish group that brings together musicians, producers, sound engineers and mix and mastering engineers, Orchids are one of the most exciting groups to have come out of the North in recent times. ‘Mannequin’ is the group’s latest release and it makes for a high drama rock'n'roll banger, with heavy drums and scratchy guitars to boot. The vocals feature Siânna Ní Laithbheartaigh from queer punk group TRAMP, who’s righteous anger can be heard throughout the track. ‘Mannequin’ explores themes of sexualisation, sexual policing and violence towards women. 

 

 

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Telekura, ‘girls’

Self described as ‘a Dublin based duo who make wonky pop music’, Telekura have delivered another track living up to their styling. ‘Girls’ is a groovy pop song that will put a pep in your step this weekend. A song that contains multitudes, ‘girls’ offers listeners a weird and wonderful sonic journey traversing genres and sounds with ease, yet it never compromises on melody. Demonstrating the wonderful possibilities of a genre as flexible and broad as pop, ‘girls’ takes advantage of everything a synth a has to offer.  

 

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Cat Turner - 'Some Days I’ll Hate You’ 

‘Some Days I’ll Hate You’ is a bedroom pop anthem which deals with the pains of a hot and cold relationship in your early adulthood. As is Cat Turner’s artistry, ‘Some Days I’ll Hate You’ takes dark and angsty emotions and turns them into glittering upbeat pop. Although sincere, ‘Some Days I’ll Hate You’ is never sickly sweet. It’s a completely danceable and upbeat track but if you listen too closely it might just get you in the feels. The perfect adolescent banger - or for those looking to connect with their teenage selves. 

 

Oisín Leech, ‘Colour Of The Rain’

A meditative and comforting track, ‘Colour of the Rain' leaves listeners with a warm and pensive feel from the rich timbre of Oisín Leech’s masterfully plucked guitar.  'Colour of the Rain' makes use of a combination of closely mic'ed acoustic instruments and electronic textures, which according to Leech is a result of recording music by the sea. Speaking on his upcoming debut album Cold Sea, Leech said: "My aim with this album was to write a collection of songs that told a complete story, and to record them near the ocean, using the sea as a kind of mirror for the songs.” 

Hawke The Band, ‘Proposal’

‘Proposal’ is a romantic and euphoric song, which will have listeners swooning. Interestingly, the track was actually one of the first Hawke The Band had ever written, however the group felt it was somewhat lacklustre. Then, when drummer Darragh Mac Cárthaigh, he saw the potential of ‘Proposal’ and gave the tune the new lease of life it needed. The song deals with, as the title matter would suggest, the nerves and excitement that accompanies a marriage proposal. The chorus soars, filling the song with a rich wall of sound, and the drums combined with the feel good guitars create a satisfying listen.

 

Sinéad Harnett - ‘Say Something’

An R & B track you can melt into,’Say Something’ is a sweet sensual song that’s light and dexterous. Sinéad Harnett’s vocals shine on this track as she effortlessly reaches every note, without a hint of stretching her vocals. ‘Say Something’ is the first track released off the Thai-Irish artist’s upcoming album Boundaries, and in her own words “This song was the last I wrote on the project, [but] it somehow felt like where I needed to start… I’ve let my gut lead”. The origin of Harnett’s upcoming album came from the artist's interest in the notion of inner child and her commitment to nurturing parts of her that have been hurt. After all, what better medium for emotional healing than music? 

 

Girls of the Internet & Shiv, ‘Never Ever Ever’

An electronic music upper, ‘Never Ever Ever’ will have you side stepping into the weekend with its infectious beat. Zimbabwean/Irish musician Shiv lends the track her crystalline vocals, elevating the ‘Never Ever Ever’ and transforming it into cool dance music perfection. Described by Girls of the Internet as “emotive house at its finest” and we couldn’t agree more. ‘Never Ever Ever’ is a polished electronic track and hits the oh so difficult sweet spot of perfect repetition, where the track’s hook repeats enough so it’s desperately catchy yet you never tire of it. 

 

Megan O’Neill, ‘The Hard Way’

When you first listen to Megan O’Neill’s 'The Hard Way', the first thing that strikes you is that it's not at all hard- quite the opposite. 'The Hard Way' is easy listening - it's dulcet, and rich as the band builds the track with gorgeous sincerity. The foundation of the track is built on gentle electric guitar strumming but it soars when the trombone kicks in. It’s a raw and authentic piece of music. Speaking of the new track, O’Neill said it's brutally honest and was written during a difficult time coming to terms with grief and loss".

 

James Vincent McMorrow, ‘Stay Cool’

An emotionally-charged soundscape accented with elements of folk, indie and rock, James Vincent McMorrow’s ‘Stay Cool’ is a soulful expression of love and new beginnings. The Irish sing-songwriter’s high register and intricate guitar melody combine to create an intimate track filled with tenderness and authenticity. 

"I have lived the last few years amongst a span of trees,” said McMorrow. “There was something comforting in hiding, but it was obscuring the places I wanted to go, and it was obscuring me. For me, the winter is when things begin. All the songs and records I'm most proud of have either been created or released during the winter months. You'll listen to this song and hopefully know what it's about, emerging from trees, trying to be open again."

VENUS GRRLS, 'Divine'

The alternative rock band VENUS GRRRLS from Leeds has released their next single ‘Divine’. The song's strong baseline and catchy lyrics personifies the feeling of falling for someone in a way only a rock band could play.

The group's gothic aesthetic comes across in their music through their raspy guitar chords and their richly intense vocals. The group consists of singer and guitarist Grace Kelly (GK), Hannah Barraclough on bass, Eliza Lee on lead guitar, Grace Stubbings on synth and Gabby Cooke on drums. Their music has been gaining traction as it has been heard on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X, Sirius XM and BBC Introducing.

 

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Moncrieff- 'False Alarm'

The king of Irish forlorn pop Moncrieff  is back with his latest release 'False Alarm'. The new tune provides the perfect sing along anthem for those who are down bad. 'False Alarm' opens with a gentle acoustic intro before building up into an arena style anthem designed for thousands to sing along to, with incredible drums. Today's release is part Monrcieff's commitment to share nine songs before the release of his debut album. With a schedule of one song every two weeks it's a damn impressive feat, and each song gives us a breadcrumb of what we can expect from his LP.