Gemma Cox, 'What If?'

Emerging Irish artist, Gemma Cox, has released her single ‘What If?’ Cox started her career playing open mics and busking on Grafton Street. Her new track pairs a peppy melody with lyrics that carry the sombre feeling of moving on from a relationship. Cox’s music mirrors that of the artists that inspire her including Sara Bareilles, Phoebe Bridgers and the Japanese House.

Last year, Cox released her debut EP and supported acts like Soda Blonde and Calum Bowie. Now she is focusing on her music. “I wrote ‘What If?’ after someone had ended things with me before it got serious, and at the time I couldn’t help but wonder, what if it had worked out?,” Cox writes when talking about the single.

Alfie Hudson Taylor, ‘Being In Love’

Acclaimed as one half of chart-topping sibling duo Hudson Taylor, Alfie marks the beginning of an exciting solo chapter with ‘Being In Love’. Stripped back acoustic production and sweet, Elliot Smith-style vocals accompany the singer’s reflective lyrics, which poignantly explore the songwriter’s personal journey in a relationship.

Recorded in Somerset alongside producer Luke Potashnick, the duo opted for live recordings, with a band and layered strings preserving the track’s authenticity.

"I wrote 'Being in Love' about my partner Gabrielle,” says Taylor. “It’s an attempt to describe the feeling of being in love."

 

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Ian Veenman, ‘Running Out of Time’

Dublin-based Dutch producer Ian Veenman offers up some Thundercat-inspired funk grooves on his latest stank-faced single. The BIMM attendee showcases some tongue-in-cheek lyricism, before descending into a face-melting sax solo.

“About 2 years ago I brought this song for the first time to a larger ensemble and at one point the bassist I was playing with turns around to me and goes ‘hey Ian, what’s this song actually about?’ said Veenman.

“I responded sarcastically saying ‘are you ever afraid of death?’, to which he said ‘aren’t you like 20?’ This question was followed by a long silence, which ended when another band member chimed in with ‘yeaaahhh, he’s just kinda like that.’”

The ØA, ‘Evangeline’

A brainchild of Sinead Madden, The ØA bring some laid back, ‘90s flavoured indie rock with their latest head bopper. The band prove that less is more, as a simple but symphonic combo of breezy guitars and a watertight rhythm section provide the support for Madden’s syrupy vocals.

“Evangeline encapsulates the Spirit of believing in a higher power and praying to the Saint of Lost Causes and Free Spirits who guides, protects, and leads us on our path to redemption and self-acceptance,” says the artist. “We learn to love and live a little bit. Every time you hear Evangeline you remember angels are always close by.''

Wallis Bird & Spark, ‘Dr. James Barry’

Award-winning songwriter Wallis Bird collaborates with German classical quintet Spark on ‘Dr. James Barry’, named after a 1800s transgender medical visionary. The track is taken from their upcoming LP Visions of Venus – which will showcase 1000 years of female composers, from Clara Schumann to Joni Mitchell, and everything in between.

“I pondered the extremities of his mental wellbeing and what it must have been like to be a radical and compassionate feminist academic genius healer in the most masculine and violent of fields—to fight regardless of the cost to their career—because they believed in humane treatment for the destitute,” says Wallis Bird on the song’s titular figure.

“What benevolence! What wildness! The fact that he was a trans man gave me a solid anchor as to where this beautiful courage and resilience came from.”

Hook, 'The Drugs Are Working'

Dublin's Hook has released their new double A-side single ‘The Drugs Are Working’ with an electric and acoustic version, as well as a B side to the single with a track called ‘Walk On Me’. The former is upbeat and catchy while the acoustic version is soulful and peaceful. ‘Walk One Me’ is the perfect combination of strong guitar riffs and the relaxed vocal harmony.

This three piece group consists of vocal and guitarists, Eoin O’Donnell, vocal and bassists, Niamh Carmody and drummer, Morgan O’Brien. The goal of their music is to capture the feelings that are created from small and honest moments as they find beauty in something that is simple.

Hula, 'without you so close'

The West has a new rising star in indie rock music. Hula has released his new single ‘without you so close’ following the release of two other singles, ‘A Brush You Left In My Room’ and ‘Breathe(won’t you be)’ in late 2023. His new track is like an electric daydream that has soft yet dark undertones.

When speaking about the track, Hula says, “‘without you so close’ is a piece which can be lyrically interpreted by the listener. Packed with emotion, the lyrics and expression come from a heavy place. Losing someone or realising change is required can be a positive or negative experience…It’s another confessional piece”.

 

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Tommy Cullen, 'Home'

Indie songwriter, Tommy Cullen, has released the third single, ‘Home’, from his upcoming debut album Enjoy The Glow. The track is soulful yet upbeat. It combines a jazz-like sound with an electronic echo that creates a unique listening experience.

Cullen was born to two creative parents, his father is none other than painter Stephen Cullen. However, music has always been Cullen’s outlet of choice as he started an alternative rock band called The False and the Fair that has since ended after six years on the underground Dublin music scene. Enjoy The Glow is set to be released this coming April. Cullen will be performing live at the Sound House in Dublin on April 26. Tickets can be found here.

 

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Isaac Butler, 'Atmosphere'

Dubliner Isaac Butler has released a heart-wrenching single that conjures up the melancholy feelings of being away from loved ones. ‘Atmosphere’ is pensive as we hear Butler grapple with being away from his friends and family.

When talking about the track, Butler says, “it’s in the nature of what I do to be away constantly and to be honest I love home so it can be quite hard at times…I spend a lot of time travelling alone and being around those close to me makes me my happiest. It’s just part of the gig though! Atmosphere is a reminder to people that although you may not be close to loved ones, you’re never forgotten.”

Susan O'Neill

Susan O’Neill’s new folksy track ‘Drive’ which is full of passion and sympathy for the human condition. Her well built vocals match the expressive and eloquent lyrics. The light but present beat of the drums mirror that of a heartbeat further creating a cathartic track.

When speaking about the track, O’Neill says, “it fell out of my mouth and onto the page in one brief sitting. I’m trying to be more honest with myself. If I can know my own chaos, chill with it, wear it like a parade of paradoxes this would be me trying that on.”

Elephant, 'Tide'

Elephant, also known as Shane Clarke is a Dundalk-based multi-instrumentalist and has released his newest single ‘Tide’. We are also expecting his next album Keeping Well this coming May. The song starts out with a hollow echo, like the sound of the ocean from a conch shell. Then the track delves into Elephant’s breezy vocals and lively melody. When talking about the single, Clarke says that “‘Tide’ is a song about finding your way back. Back from where? Different for everyone I imagine.” Fans can expect more music and tour dates coming from Elephant very soon.

ROOUE, 'You Problem'

The electronic alt-pop twin duo, ROOUE has released their new single ‘You Problem’. This upbeat dance track is laced in anger and a hint of bitterness that everyone can relate to. The song perfectly follows the type of dark pop music ROOUE is known for making.

When talking about the track ROOUE says, “we felt bitter over this situation as our friend chose their boyfriend over the friendship, even though her boyfriend was acting unfaithful. The line ‘it’s a you problem’ felt so fitting. It's fun to be bitchy sometimes and it can be the way to get through situations like this.”

Marry Waterson & Adrian Crowley, 'Heavy Wings'

English singer-songwriter Marry Waterson and Irish folk artist Adrian Crowley deliver darkness in spades with their latest earworm. ‘Heavy Wings’ boasts sparse instrumentation consisting of a tremolo guitar and Waterson’s theatrical vocals. This sonic minimalism grants the track a certain introspective, yet ethereal quality.

The offering draws inspiration from the story of 'L’Inconnue de la Seine' [The unknown woman of the River Seine] – a beautiful woman whose body was recovered from the River Seine in the late 1880s and whose face was cast into a death mask – and features the plaintive sound of trumpet and saxophone evocative of Miles Davis’ French noir jazz.

On ‘Heavy Wings,’ Waterson and Crowley’s use of negative space is buoyed by Waterson’s haunting lilt and a bare yet haunting guitar arrangement that would fit seamlessly into a Peaky Blinders soundtrack.

Calum Agnew, 'Never'

Calum Agnew continues to cement himself within the Irish soul and R&B scenes with his latest offering ‘Never.’

Following the release of his sophomore single ‘Don’t Think About It,’ ‘Never’ sees Calum returning to the palette that’s worked for him so far: an balanced ecosystem of flickering percussion and technicolour soul and R&B layerings which propel the artist’s vocals, gulping down consonants and smoothing the rough edges.

Over a soulful piano arrangement, Calum’s vocals prove expressive and impassioned. Boasting an infectious melody, the song shifts from the piano-driven minimalism to a propulsive chorus with emboldened brass and percussion sections. ‘Never’ is a cathartic, anthemic number that’s sure to strengthen Calum Agnew’s already dazzling rise through the ranks.

Ezra Williams, 'Quick Fix'

From the outset, Ezra Williams’ latest offering bleeds cinematic resplendence and beauty across a string-laden, drum-driven soundscape. ‘Quick Fix’ sees Williams putting their sound back in the atom smasher, while maintaining the crimson-coloured palette that worked so well in their Choice Prize-nominated album Supernumeraries: a mesmeric rhythm section which drives forward Ezra’s warbling, prismatic vocals that flicker with technicolour richness.

‘Quick Fix’ is introspective and pensive, a common thread entwining the whole of Ezra Williams’ music. Put plainly, it’s a beautiful earworm of a song that sounds best in the passenger seat with the windows rolled down, catching marbled glimpses of the world as it passes by. Immediately, the listener is hypnotised, drawn into a vibrant dreamscape.

Fia Moon, 'blue skies'

Lo-fi synths and scintillating harmonies find a home in Fia Moon’s new single ‘blue skies.’ The track is bubbly, effervescent and propulsive,

Boasting a prismatic rhythm section and pastel-hued synths, the track sees Fia Moon pushing at the boundaries of blue-sky soundscapes. Unlike most lo-fi pop, her vocal performance balances a warmth and vibrance: pained, layered, gulping down consonants, emitting a tender glow in the cursive wisps of the upper range of her register.

As such, Fia Moon’s voice scintillates over the stripped-back, unfussy instrumental which unravels and bends to meet the raw, reflexive lyrics.

 

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Tridence, 'By Your Own Design'

‘By Your Own Design’ marks the debut single from Tridence's sophomore album. With its captivating blend of psychedelic reversed guitar riffs, dynamic melodic guitar solos inspired by Thin Lizzy and the pinnacle of frontman Bailey McLoughlin's lyrical prowess, this track sets an exhilarating and propulsive tone from the outset.

Despite its anthemic, stadium sound, the track was entirely recorded in each band member’s bedroom. ‘By Your Own Design’ is a fierce, energetic, and electrifying single that leaves an impression on the listener and strongly demonstrates the musical talent comprising this up and coming Irish band.

Hix & Micky Blue, ‘One Day At A Time’

‘One Day At A Time’ marks the newest offering from Belfast-based DJ and producer Hix and singer Micky Blue. A mainstay of the Irish DJ scene, Hix has been compared to the likes of EDM giants such as Tiesto, Calvin Harris and David Guetta.

The track deftly channels Micky’s powerhouse vocals with electric hard trance, swanky synths and propulsive drum breaks to produce a distinct soundscape that would fit seamlessly into a major live DJ set at a music festival. The pull of club culture is especially apparent throughout the single, buzzing with EDM breakbeats, resonant kicks and progressive bass-drops.

Gush, ‘Dilemma’

Born of struggles with self-acceptance and feelings of inadequacy, ‘Dilemma’ is the dazzling debut single from one of Belfast’s brightest newcomers Gush. Owing as much to the flannel-clad rock of ‘90s Seattle as it does to the grunge scene propagated by Britpop legends, the song acts as a cathartic vehicle for vocalist and guitarist Chelsea Andrews, to expunge old demons and make the bad good again.

It begins dripping in shimmering chorus guitars, layered in guitar melodies and tasteful bass, which, in turn, premises Chelsea's vocals which shift from affecting and sensitive to impassioned and raw in spades. The propulsive hi-hats grant a tumbling effect to the chorus, suffusing purpose and intent, before taking the foot off the accelerator to grant negative space. The ebb and flow of the track utilises the Pixies' famous loud-quiet-loud formula, before reaching the final third that builds to a crescendo by way of overdriven pedals, delayed reverberant guitar riffs and knotted basslines.

 

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Anamoe Drive, ‘Long Time Coming’

With the release of his debut album Breakfast in Bed, Anamoe Drive, a.k.a. Oisín Leahy Furlong, brings listeners an exciting track featuring his unique brand of lo-fi indie meets al folk. With an earworm melody and poignant lyricism, ‘Long Time Coming,’ explores the complicated emotions of loss, loneliness and, eventually, acceptance.

Out today, Breakfast in Bed is a non-linear narrative broken down into three distinct parts. Oscillating between the throes of heartbreak and the bliss of young love, Furlong’s freshman effort mark the beginning of what is sure to be a successful tenure on the Irish alt-folk scene.

Liv Monaghan, ‘Living Beat’

Liv Monaghan is back with another release from her upcoming sophomore album. Departing from the mellow, lo-fi sounds of last month’s ‘July,’ the Paris-based singer hits listeners with a newfound energy, incorporating tribal-nuanced tones and impressive vocal improvisation. Instilled with an unmistakable Irish flair, ‘Living Beat’ comes just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day festivities.

Exploring the intricate worlds of art deco architecture and techno nests, the new single is a perfect blend of industrial and natural, with resounded earthy tones. Through rhythmic pulses and skillful guitar work, Monaghan is able to pin-point the intersection of femininity and nature within a newfound industrial world.

Big Sleep, ‘Two Cents’

Irish indie starlets Big Sleep have released their latest pop banger ‘Two Cents,’ and an infectious, guitar-driven single recorded and produced by Chris Ryan. The americana-meets-garage-rock anthem, drawing inspiration from the likes of Briston Maroney, Alvvays, Spacey Jane and Big Thief, showcases the Dublin four-piece at their finest. 

"In ‘Two Cents,’ we find that there's Americana/Country sounds shining through, so we leaned in and got in touch with a Nashville-based producer called Tone Def to mix the track,” the band explained. “Then we went up to Belfast to record with Chris Ryan in December 2023. His input really helped us capture the sounds and feel that this track had when we played it live which we knew we couldn't lose in the studio."

Kingfishr, ‘Shadow’

Rising indie-folk band Kingfishr have released their stellar new EP, featuring the poignant and introspective title track ‘Shadow.’ Effortlessly weaving between uplifting and heartbreaking, the lead single is a story of contrast, the haunting vocals of Edmond Keogh blending perfectly with the track’s jangly melodies and intimate lyricism.

“Shadow is about the consequences of burying pieces of yourself,” the band said of the track. “There’s an idea that ‘The Shadow’ is everything you suppress about your psyche. Those unseen elements of yourself rule you and you have no idea. The song is an ode to this.”

Nell Mescal, ‘Warm Body’

After making an explosive debut on the live circuit with a sold-out UK tour, Nell Mescal is back with her latest folk-pop belter ‘Warm Body.’ The second release from her upcoming EP Can I Miss It For A Minute, Mescal’s heart-on-sleeve lyricism and cathartic delivery combine to form a passionate narrative about love and loneliness.

“[It’s] a song about struggling to move on from past situations and how that affects making new relationships,” explained Mescal. “It’s about growing up and navigating relationships with the worry that the people you love will leave you.” The single comes as a follow-up to Mescal’s recent slew of releases as she continues to find inspiration in her childhood, friendships, Irish roots and family.

Pillow Queens, ‘Like A Lesson’

The guitar-driven ‘Like A Lesson’ explores longing for intimacy and a desire for closeness as well as the fears and insecurities that come with sharing one's self with searing rock melodies in a way only Pillow Queens can do.

Speaking of their latest release the band says that ‘Like a Lesson’ “delves into the feeling of being a lesson for someone, a side character in someone else’s story”. The new single is the band's latest release off their upcoming album.

Fräulein, ‘Feels Like Flying’

A two part single, ‘Feels Like Flying’ is Northern garage rock duo’s latest release and features two versions a ‘Day’ version and a ‘Night’ version. The 'Feels Like Flying (Day)' version boasts brooding guitar reverb and a propulsive rhythm section from drummer Karsten van der Tol, featuring Joni’s unmistakably aching and powerful vocal delivery. The 'Feels Like Flying (Night)' edition – the track's original demo - offers a more intimate, melancholy insight into the track. Both versions highlight Fräulein's capacity for versatility while still retaining their punk essence.

Death Milkshake, ‘Algorithm

‘Algorithm' fuses a mix of LCD Soundsystem, Muse with a sprinkling Franz Ferdinand’s more electronic offerings making for an existential sonic offering from Roscommon’s Death Milkshake.
The lyrics are a comment on the divisive nature of what the internet has become, and a reminder that the various algorithms we encounter every day can shape our thoughts and feelings in ways we wouldn’t have thought possible in the past.

The song is aptly rounded off with a nod to the future by the artist's 4 year old daughter speaking the prophetic words of David Bowie speaking about the internet in its beginnings in 1999.

KNEECAP, ‘Sick In The Head [Jonah Swilley Remix]’

The latest single off of Kneecap's upcoming debut LP ’Sick In The Head’ features a chugging old school hip hop groove and dual voices frustrated at reaching the ends of both their overdrafts and their tethers. Speaking about the track Kneecap said: "When working on the album we had periods of great productivity but also periods with a total lack of anything creatively. Towards the end of recording we hit a proper wall and this is the result. Our mental health was being tested and we said fuck it it we’re doomed to mental torture we want to have some money to get through it. We’ve had enough of it while being broke round Belfast."

Fee Gray, ‘Hoe Phase’

Gray’s latest single is a playful take on the often overdone genre of love song. ‘Hoe Phase’ is a charming pop song in which Fee Gray gives out to their partner for sabotaging their ‘hoe phase’ by seducing them into an emotionally fulfilling relationship. Gray’s soft spoken vocals off set the guitar driven pop rock track, making a delicious adolescent love song - something that wouldn’t be out of place in a romcom.

 

Thom Southern, ‘The Guy in the Suit and Tie’

The Irish songsmith Tom Southern has been busy in 2023 writing and producing new material in his Belfast home studio and now is releasing his second single of the year, ‘The Guy in the Suit and Tie’. Backed by punchy upbeat instrumentation with thumping looped drum grooves, ‘The Guy in the Suit and Tie’ is insightful and existential. It describes that outer body experience you get when you see a stranger and imagine the intricate details of their life.

New Jackson, ‘Out of Reach’

A single off New Jackon’s upcoming album, ‘Out of Reach’ is an electronic piece of pop with a pulsating beat.

Speaking of the new track, music maestro David Kitt said: “‘Out of Reach’ was the last track I wrote for the album. I had a version of the album that Iiked but the whole thing didn't feel quite 'oops' or 'pop' enough. I had the melody and chorus of ‘Out of Reach’ knocking around for a while and I wrote and recorded the lyrics and vocals in one long session the day before mastering was booked. It gave the album a shot of pop urgency that made it really gel as a whole. I get a mild bang of Jason Donovan off it but it has a giddy techno-pop sugar rush that I really like and it makes it a worthy addition to the New Jackson canon.

Overhead, The Albatross, ‘Your Last Breath’

An 9 minute long experimental rock track ‘Your Last breath’ is an impressive feat from the instrumental post rock band Overhead, the Albatross. ‘Your Last Breath’ is evocative of early U2 and wouldn’t sound out of place on a classic album like the Joshua Tree.

The band shared the new single on Instagram with a spoken word piece about “the tragedy of losing someone you love dearly, juxtaposed with the joy of bringing someone new into this world. Something which we’ve experienced very much over the past few years”.

‘Your Last Breath’ is an experimental song of epic proportions that will surprise listeners.

 

Check out Hot Press' New irish Song playlist below!