New Irish Songs to Hear this Week

Trophy Wife, ‘Showpony’

‘Showpony’ is Trophy Wife’s love letter to the music she is inspired by, championing guitar hooks, instrumental interplay, and interesting harmonic choices. The new indie rock track embodies a distinct sense of Americana and 70s rocks- with just a twang of country. Inspired by her all time favourite lyricists Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Showpony balances lyricism with melody and results in a deliciously satisfying EP opener, also titled Showpony.

Moncrieff, ’Unlove You’

A regular feature on New Irish Songs’, Moncrieff keeps up his incredible musical output as he releases 1 new track every two weeks until his debut album drops. This week is no different with the artist releasing ‘Unlove You’ which he describes as his potential favourite of the mixtape.

A classic pop ballad, ‘Unlove You’ highlights Moncrieff’s incredible vocal range and knack for stadium anthems.

Lloyd John - ‘Sunkissed’

The titular track off the artist’s latest EP, ‘Sunkissed’ is a bittersweet folk pop song about the pitfalls of overlooking the joys of being present. Influenced by Lloyd John’s trad roots the record marks a fusion of traditionalIirish music and queer culture. A life affirming track, ‘Sunkissed’ is a ballad about the jubilance of being born in the right generation. With a rich acoustic guitar and dulcet vocals, ‘Sunkissed’ is a track not to miss.

 

Erika Severyns ‘Berlin’

Is a disarmingly vulnerable offering from Erika Severyns who says of the track:” I wrote ‘Berlin’ after a day of watching Grey’s Anatomy on the couch and crying my eyes out. I had a lot of expectations for myself as a young adult and none of them were coming true”. The sentiment is something a lot of us recognise, and Severyns’ track is a remarkably mature track about growing up and finding your life is not as you expected it to be. Infused with Severyns’ remarkable vocals, ‘Berlin’ is a compelling listen.

 

Tadhg Daly, ‘How’s Your Day Been?’

Tadgh Daly’s latest offering is the track the musician feels represents him best as an artist rather than coming from the approval seeking role of song writer. Speaking of ‘How’s Your Day Been?’ Daly says that: “This song is unapologetically and absolutely who I am and it’s been made with and about the people I love - turn it up loud and scream with us”. An indie pop belter, ‘How’s Your Day Been’ is a cathartic piece of feel good music.

 

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InBetween Honey, ‘Nothing More’

With an immediate and exhilarating guitar riff, ‘Nothing More’ could be the closing track on a 90s coming of age movie. A delectable piece of pop punk, Meath band InBetween Honey’s latest offering is a catchy track that you’ll inexplicably find yourself humming along to.

The track builds into a roaring chorus, perfectly designed to fill stadia and act as the song of the summer, and given a sudden snow day like today - we all need a little dose of summer.

 

DELUSH, ‘Rio’

The Dublin based indie rock band’s newest track is an indie pop banger that's filled with a sense of fun and youthfulness. Designed to be a sing along indie hit, ‘Rio’ will remind listeners of the likes of The Coronas and Picture This.

Fusing piano, guitar, vocals and an anthemic chorus, DELUSH’s latest offering is a feel good piece of music that would act as the perfect tune on a summertime playlist for a pub beer garden.

Fangclub, ‘Attention’

Marking Fangclubs first release since 2019, ‘Attention’ is a grunge inspired head banger. Fans of Nirvana who are looking for something new are going to lap up ‘Attention’, an existential guitar heavy track with plenty of distortion and psychedelic vocals.

Back with a bang, ‘Attention’ certainly grabs ours and heralds in what promises to be an exciting new year for the alternative Dublin rock band.

REEVAH, ‘Golden’

A poignant and thoughtful track, REEVAH’s ‘Golden’ is the final release of the artists’ critically acclaimed debut album Daylight Savings. ‘Golden’ is a gentle indie folk track that listeners can melt into and absorb themselves in the sentimental world of REEVAH.

The artist explains: “Golden is about appreciating life and the beauty of what surrounds us. This track is about taking a step back to observe and feel the golden moments.In whatever way that may look for you. Appreciating your family, friends, nature, a moment to yourself. Golden is a set of contradictions met with a moment of realisation”.

RECO, 'Nutmeg'

The Dublin based alternative rock band, RECO has released ‘Nutmeg’, the first song off their upcoming EP. RECO, which is composed of four members, Harry Frost on vocals, Mark O’Loan on lead guitar, Dillon Palmer on rhythm guitar and Paddy Dowling on drums have created a track with funky guitar riffs and a danceable melody.

The group gained traction from their performance at Trinity Ball in 2023 supporting indie groups like Two Door Cinema Club. Drawing inspiration from groups like Slowdive, Wunderhorse and Fontaines DC, RECO delivers hard hitting tracks fit for a live show. The full EP will be released on March 1.

 

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Cathal O’Reilly, ‘To My Soul’

Hailing from Clonmel, Tipperry, Cathal O’Reilly has released his new single ‘To My Soul’. With influences from Kid Cudi and Kanye West, O’Reilly’s authentic hard-hitting realistic lyrics paired with a rhythmic beat fill the track with a sense of contemplation.

Although he started his career as a writer, O’Reilly has always been a prominent voice in mental health spaces in Ireland. The track focuses on O'Reilly's spiritual journey as he questions the mistakes that he has made over the course of his life. ‘To My Soul’ is the first single from his new album The Magician which will be released this April.

Wasps vs Humans, 'Price You Pay'

Wasps vs Humans have released their new double single ‘Price You Pay’. The first side of the single is a folk rendition that feels soulful with its inclusion of the harp from Mairead Kelly. While side be is an indie pop version with punk undertones. Both adaptations highlight the band's multi-instrumental skills and melodious singing.

The band consists of the married couple, Carl Antony Plover and Linda Plover, who will be playing a small Irish tour starting on April 25 in Dundalk. They will visit Cork and Dundalk again before playing the last show on June 1 in Ballyferriter.

Harry Fennell, 'Excuse The Barkin'

Announced on his Instagram on February 17, Harry Fennell has released his new single ‘Excuse The Barkin’. In this tantalising piece, the singer-songwriter pulls from his roots of rural blues and early-American Jazz to create a track that is smooth and warms the heart.

In all his tracks, Fennell sings about the hardships of love and loss and the music he creates is nothing short of magical. To celebrate the release of the single, Fennell will be playing two shows at The Dot Theatre in Dublin on March 1 and 2. On March 1 he will be supported by Nessa McHugh and then on March 2 he will be supported by Danilo Ward.

Twin Headed Wolf, 'Take a Hammer'

Having just released their album Altarwise, sonic time travellers, Twin Headed Wolf, have shared the record’s lead single ‘Take a Hammer.’

“There’s something in the air,” sing sister duo; from the outset, a gloomy ambience fills that air as the blood harmonies curl and coil around each other.

The percussion section - resemblant of found sounds clattering and clanking - is well-matched with the duo’s soprano warbling. Ethereal and atmospheric, the track sees the sibling duo blend the archaic with the contemporary.

With an eye to the past, ‘Take a Hammer’ positions Twin Headed Wolf in a new direction, engrossed in forgotten soundscapes and inventing contexts of their own.

Raging Sons, 'Black Room'

Limerick alt-rock outfit Raging Sons have returned with an incandescent offering of trill guitar and a propulsive rhythm section.

Autobiographical in sentiment, 'Black Room' unfolds the story of songwriter Fint Tynan’s youth. The narrative traces his upbringing in a tempestuous and chaotic household in Limerick City, spanning the 90s and 00s.

From the outset, the track untethers with vox-y guitar riffs, assertive drums and mystifying vocals, engendering an infectious tune that bleeds with intensity, highlighting the band’s distinct sound.

The marriage of these elements creates a high-octane and immersive sonic experience, reinforcing Raging Sons' penchant for delivering intense and provocative bangers.

Alex Eydt, 'Take Someone'

When it comes to the Irish music scene, newcomer Alex Eydt is putting himself out there with infectious melodies and riffs. From his recently released debut album Guardians, Eydt dazzles on the LP’s focus track ‘Take Someone.’

The conceptual track is underpinned by a spaghetti western soundtrack sample to frame the artist’s haunting vocals and sparse instrumentation. ‘Take Someone’ progresses into bassy, propulsive resplendence.

“I see this as more of an art installation than a song, but still very very relevant to Guardians,” says Eydt. “I wanted to make people jump. This isn't going to be pleasant to listen to and I hope it taps into something psychological because of that.”

Winter Aid, 'Silk'

With ‘Silk,’ Winter Aid stretches sonic expectations, weaving in strands of electronic music and new percussive elements.

“This song is musically one of the happiest I've ever written, but lyrically it's bitter,” says Shane Culloty (aka Winter Aid). “It was written in response to the feeling of having made it through 2020 - which is fading in memory now, but was fresh and raw at the time - and having seen the tumult and hope and passion, and brief flames of political optimism give way to a reassertion of the status quo.”

On the track, Winter Aid waltzes across a whirling, fuzz soundscape awash with tolling knell keys and overdriven guitars, an obvious departure from his stripped-back, folksy instrumentals. It’s a natural step, following new production collaborations with Larry Crane (Elliot Smith, The Decemberists) and Chuck Johnson (Daniel Bachman, Claire Rousay).

'Silk' sees the artist responding to cultural tumult with new dizzying electronic cadences, putting his previous sound back in the atom smasher.

M(h)aol, 'Pursuit'

Their first project since reconfiguring as a four-piece, M(h)aol are back with a stellar new single entitled ‘Pursuit.’ Buzzing with frenzied energy, vocalist/drummer Keane narrates her journey home as a woman on a night out, highlighting the anxiety that comes with being out on the streets alone. 

“’Pursuit’ is about the experience of being followed home,” Keane explained. “Sadly, I think it’s something most women have experienced, and something that makes you change your behaviour on a very practical level….As a whole, the song is built out of frustration that has accumulated over the past 30 years of being a woman in public.”

Sam Segurado, 'The Remainder'

Irish-Portuguese singer-songwriter Sam Segurado is back with his sophomore album, a captivating blend of electro-indie-rock inspired by the record’s title track ‘The Remainder.’ Reminiscent of a superhero’s moniker, the song's title embodies both “that which is left behind” and “that which is still to come,” a dual meaning that perfectly encapsulates the track’s essence.  

“This song was the catalyst for the record,” Segurado explained. “Recovering from the ending of one relationship and the early pining of what was to become another. That riff was like a lullaby, and the song grew from there. At its core it's a breakup song, and a song for patience, and a song about hope, and confusion, and rebirth. It encapsulates all of the themes of the album, and so it took its title.” 

Silver Branch 'The Setting Sun'

Indie-folk act Silver Branch, a.k.a Kieran Mulvihill, has released his latest single ‘The Setting Sun,’ an exciting blend of vivid lyricism, humming acoustics and frenzied synths. The new track, a combination of electric and acoustic accompaniment, is the culmination of the Dublin song smith's talents as a writer, vocalist and instrumentalist.

“It’s an autobiographical song about living in Dublin city and the highs and lows of trying to find your way,” Mulvihill explained, “working to make ends meet, falling in and out of relationships and confronting difficult assumptions. For every missed opportunity another one exists somewhere if we're lucky enough to have our eyes peeled.”

Connor McCann, 'Ever the Dreamer'

Rising Belfast folk star Connor McCann has released his latest single ‘Ever The Dreamer,’ an alt-leaning belter that marks the start of an exciting era of new music. With his debut EP Without Wax on the way, the former Stonemasons frontman continues to impress listeners with stellar solo releases, including recent singles ‘These Fires and ‘I Believe.’

Catching the Belfast songsmith at his most ardent, ‘Ever The Dreamer’ is filled with cascading guitar riffs, superb vocals, and a hard, driving drum-line that perfectly contrasts the muted, acoustic sound of McCann’s previous works.

Shark School, '411'

Shark School has released their first ever single ‘411’. This new rock anthem will resonate with many who also hail from West Ireland as it is not just a new song but a debut diss track to the 411 bus.This rock number with a hint of pop and lyrics about a nation wide plight makes it instantly catchy.

This three piece group consisting of Nora Staunton on guitar and vocals, Peggy Ford on bass and Ronan O’Connor Mahony on drums, have quickly made a name for themselves supporting acts like NewDad, The Love Buzz and Elaine Malone. To celebrate the release, Shark School will be doing an Irish and UK tour this spring. The shows and their tickets can be found here.

Jamie Jones & Jazzy, 'We Groovin'

World renowned DJ, Jamie Jones and Irish singer-songwriter Jazzy have come together to create a harmonic techno track ‘We Groovin’. This song is ready for summer and festival season to get people on their feet and excited to dance.

Both artists are going on tour this spring. Jamie Jones will be playing in Bali on March 2 and will have 13 shows until the last on the tour on August 24 in London. Jazzy will be on tour as well starting in London on March 8 and playing shows in places like Dublin, Belfast and Manchester before her last show in London on August 8 at Sundown.

Danny Carroll, 'Match of the Day'

‘Match of the Day’ sees Danny Carroll paying tribute to the Premier League highlights programme of the same name, which the artist calls “a familiar form of escape.” The single marks the fifth track off Carroll’s latest album I Am The Cheese, out today.

The song also boasts a video accompaniment, created by Laurie Shaw, which follows a fantasy narrative of Danny as a hotshot goal-scorer.

“It's my most deliberate attempt at writing a novelty song - like Lime In The Coconut by Harry Nilsson, or a Beatles tune sung by Ringo,” Carroll says of ‘Match of the Day.’ “The video allowed me to live out my childhood fantasy of being a star striker, albeit with grave consequences.”

Chalk, ‘Bliss’ feat. Fears

Belfast post-punk rockers Chalk have shared a captivating new offering, 'Bliss' featuring Fears.

This track marks the culmination of their forthcoming EP, Conditions II, released today via Nice Swan Records. 'Bliss' also features the haunting vocals of Fears, aka Constance Keane.

In their latest material, Chalk skillfully merges biting post-punk elements with cinematic production, weaving together wistful harmonies and expansive electronica, creating an immersive sonic experience.

“The theme of 'Bliss' was originally from a short film I wrote whilst we were at university," says frontman Ross Cullen. "It’s about two people who once shared a love in the past seeing each other again. No words shared between them, just thoughts and an acknowledgement of what could have been.”

1000 Beasts, ‘They Called Her Something’

1000 Beasts, the Cork-based soultronic project, have today released their sophomore album Burning Flower with lead single ‘They Called Her Something’.

The vibrant offering blends electronic lo-fi beats with mesmeric chopped vocal samples, thawed and smooth instrumentation is layered over a pendulum-swung drum pattern. A balance between heavy sample processing and a raw feel give the track a certain mesmerising quality.

“It might just be the oldest track on the album,” says 1000 Beasts. “I was trying to find the right vocal for it for ages, but eventually, I realised that the instrumental itself is so strong that a vocal doesn’t really fit over it. It’s probably my favourite track on the record, and even though it’s a little different, they always say make music you like, not what you think people will like.”

 

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FYNCH, ‘The State'

Irish hip-hop artist FYNCH continues to blossom with the recent release ‘The State’ off his new album Youngfella. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Republic of Loose, Kendrick Lamar, Outkast and The Streets, FYNCH expertly blends cutting social commentary with humorous self-deprecation and a healthy dose of confidence. 

The Drimnagh rapper’s smooth tone and laid-back rhythm is paired perfectly with a jazzy melody and chilled energy, creating a new-wave hip hop track reminiscent of Jack Harlow. With stardom on the horizon, FYNCH will be seen headlining Whelan's Upstairs 4th April.

Ro Yourell, Incinerate

Ro Yourell – known to many as the vocalist and guitarist of huge 00s Irish indie rock band Delorentos – today announces his debut album Commencer, and along with it released his latest single ‘Incinerate’.

Incinerate features a Mark Knopfler style guitar line and piercing and pure vocals from Yourrell. A more pensive and experimental sound than some Delorentos indie pop offerings, 'Incinerate' is a taster of what we can expect from Commencer.

HighAchiever - GNS x McJordan

A song is about being better than the best and the painstaking, deceptively fulfilling work needed, HighAchiever is a profound new offering from Dublin rappers GNS and McJordan. It's a unique hip-hop sound with gritty textures and crunchy vocals over a smooth groove.

The beat emphasises the emotional intensity of the songs meaning. A perfect coming of age track dealing with the Sisyphean task that is growing up.

 

Check out our New Irish songs playlist below: