TCXL, ‘Da Price’ feat. Curtisy & Fynch

‘Da Price’ sees TCXL, Curtisy, and Fynch trade verses with the grace and lucidity that only comes after consuming six or seven pints. Lush, spacey samples over laid-back drums provide the space for the three spitters to all deliver career-best performances. With three of the most exciting names in Dublin’s burgeoning rap scene, ‘Da Price’ is a masterful offering from the trio.

Post-Party, ‘Negative Energy’

Taken from the upcoming EP I Didn’t See it Before but I see it Now, ‘Negative Energy’ is a pop offering from Post Party  with a groovy guitar line. The indie-pop track talks about the moments where we let our negativity consume us, and how it’s important to approach any given situation with a brighter outlook to allow good moments to prosper. A sunny day indie track is the perfect number for beer garden listening.

Darcy Faith, HOTC

A seductive and intriguing track,’ HOTC’ comes off of Darcy Faith’s latest EP Self Medicated. Featuring stealthy drum playing, a fuzzy bass line and a full bodied harmony chorus, ‘HOTC’ is a must listen this Friday. A song about mental health in the modern day and age, ‘HOTC’ has a surprisingly big sound for an indie artist. ‘HOTC’ makes best use of Faith’s apathetic vocals, which are suitably paired back to allow other sonic elements shine.

 

Foot Squeaker, ‘Friends Like These’

The Wexford alt trio have delivered an almost Smashing Pumpkins-esque track in their offering ‘Friends Like These’. Foot Squeaker's latest single ‘Friends Like These’ features several guitar solos that wouldn’t go amiss on the next guitar heroes soundtrack and hazy harmonies. From Gorey, the rock group have perfectly executed their rock and roll track in their latest single.

Valerie Rose, ‘Wishes’

Speaking about Wishes’, Valerie Rose explains “it’s a song about being repeatedly disappointed after trying to keep hopeful. It’s a fun song to scream when you’re trying to let things go!”. A bass-y undertone, the track’s gritty backing is tempered by Rose’ delicate vocals in a perfect balance. Lyrically depicts the feeling of feeling let down by a person that you desperately want to believe in and marks the perfect microdose of feminine rage this Friday.

Curtisy, ‘Last Time’

A fusion of lo-fi and hip hop, Curtisy's  ‘Last Time’ is a song for when you are at the end of your tether with your own toxic cyclical behaviour. One of the artist's most thought provoking tracks, ‘Last Time’ is the song for when you’re trying to tell yourself to cop on. Like if Joji had a Dub accent, ‘Last Time’ is a morose and anxious song for zoomers. The track offers a scintillating taster as the third single from the artist’s upcoming debut album What was the Question?, out May 3.

 

Annette Joy ‘Dublin 8 Girl’

Described as a “modern day trad song”, Dublin 8 Girl by Annette Joy is a song about a girl from Dublin 8 and a man from Mayo who could have fallen so much more deeply in love with one another only, she has to return home every Friday evening to have the ritual bag of chips with her Ma. A country style offering from Joy, ‘Dublin 8 Girl’ is a homey guitar and tin whistle led track that will have you foot tapping this Friday.

Eve Buckley ‘Out of The Light’

A debut single from an astonishing new talent, ‘Out of the Light’ is how Eve Buckley has decided to introduce herself to the world. ‘Out of the Light’ is a tender hearted single about being in the throes of adolescence and all the insecurity that comes with that. Buckley’s vocals shine against a rich backdrop of piano keys before kicking into a cinematic full bodied chorus with a dulcet electric guitar line. The new single is a stunning example of the power of taking a teenage subject matter and creating a song from it with your adult skill and technical abilities.

 

Chris Cresham- ‘Back to You’

‘Back to You' is an indie pop offering that is evocative of the likes of Picture This. Featuring Chris Cresham's irresistible vocals, 'Back to You' is a love-sick coming of age single, about being head over heels for someone. The Castlebar artist latest offering could put him in the leagues of the wave of Irish talent such as Cian Ducrot, Moncrieff and Dermot Kennedy and given that Cresham has been selected for the Unsigned Sea Sessions Competition to be in with a chance of playing main stage at this years Donegal Sea Sessions Festival, that possibility isn’t too far off.

 

Kojaque, ‘LONDON LIDO’

An electric new offering from the hip hop sensation, ‘London Lido’ is a melodic but bass-y track which follows the artists alter ego Jackie Dandelion and his struggles making it in London. A track which details immigration, Anglo-Irish relations and identity, ‘London Lido’ is a meaty offering from Kojaque. That said, in spite of the detailed subject matter the Cabra rapper never compromises on melody while still getting his searing message across.

Moncrieff, ‘The Sun is Shining Somewhere’

Acting as an opener to Moncrieff’s highly anticipated debut album Self Care, ‘The Sun is Shining Somewhere’ is a soul-pop offering that provides some feel good listening this Friday. A verifiable pop belter, Moncrieff’s vocals shine on this gospel inspired track. Having just sold out his major headline show at Limerick Castle on the May Bank Holiday weekend, it seems that people are itching to hear the singers dulcet tones live on tracks such as these.

Podge Lane ‘Down’

An alt country offering with gumption, ‘Down, will have listeners foot-stomping this weekend. Featuring Podge Lane’s spirited and bluesy vocals with a dirty guitar line, it’s hard not to love this infectious new country track. A proper fuck you to naysayers and critics, Lane explains: “‘Down’ is about every comment, every criticism made by the people around you, and even by yourself, that makes you think you aren’t good enough. Wrapped in a neat little bow, that was then dipped in paint, ripped up and set on fire.” Truly a cathartic banger.

 

Niamh Regan, 'Belly'

Niamh Regan has returned with the second single from her upcoming album Come As You Are. ‘Belly,’ brimming with vulnerability and introspection, is a bold evolution for the singer-songwriter, seeing her achieve a richer sound backed by a full band and spurred by unwavering ambition and courage. In her own words, the new single is about “being not so serious about feeling seriously crappy…

“A lot of it is about being in your late twenties and kind of realising we’re all running out of time,” Regan said. “I’d have bouts of massive self-belief in the studio, and then in the next breath I would be like, ‘This is the worst piece of music I could have even imagined.’ It was a rollercoaster. But through that I found self-acceptance; this is where I’m at and making peace with that. That’s what the album essentially is, just making peace with where I’m at and being realistic with myself.”

 

Rebecca Houlihan, ‘Oh La La’

Fans of R&B powerhouses like RAYE and SZA will have their ears perked by this defiant, bouncy bop from Barcelona-based Corkonian Rebecca Houlihan. With over ten years professional singing experience to her name, Houlihan joins forces with producer Da Fabi to make a stand against the monotony of modern living, as the infectious chorus echoes: “I Don’t wanna work, I don't wanna work, I don't wanna pay my bills, but you keep coming back for more."

The Love Buzz, ‘Pretty Happy Alone’

Hot Press Hot For 2024 act The Love Buzz continue to prove themselves as some of the finest purveyors of rip-roaring scuzz rock the island has to offer with their latest road trip ready single.  The tune is high-octane and rhythmically tight, with soaring distorted guitars combing with bittersweet lyrics to create a tune which both euphoric and nostalgic.

“‘Pretty Happy Alone’ is our attempt at a breakup song,” said the band. Taking the name of the song from two of our favourite Cork bands, Pretty Happy and Happy Alone, we put together a bitter song about regret and coming to terms with independence.”

 

Lucy McWilliams, ‘Mr Useless’

The opener to this south-dub’s debut EP Third Second Chance sees her take a grittier, indie-rock fuelled turn, as McWilliams speaks to the mental clarity offered by hindsight following a relationship. Overall, the project is an anthemic journey through early-20s womanhood, self-actualisation and the pursuit of fulfilment.

“I think that whatever world I'm in, then the music will relate to that world,” remarked the singer, in a recent interview with Hot Press. “A lot of things were changing in my life this time last year, and the sound reflects that. So I suppose whatever comes next will hopefully evolve along that line.”

 

Melts, ‘Waves of Wonder’

Dublin noisemakers Melts return with the third single from their highly-anticipated sophomore album Field Theory. Produced by post-punk magnate Daniel Fox, ‘Waves of Wonder’ is a deliciously loud, crushing piece of synth rock, fitting into the album’s overarching theme of interrelatedness.

“Like gravity we are drawn to and miss people and like light waves we love people and are loved,” say the band on the LP. “We live in orbits of each other, drawn by unseen forces. The album explores these forces, how we relate to each other, the people we live with and the people we live without.”

 

Sun Mahshene, ‘New shores’

Dublin alt-rock sextet Sun Mahshene offer a taster of soon-to-be released debut LP A Place We’ve Never been with their bold new track ‘New Shores’.  The driving, shimmering number channels indie and shoegaze sensibilities, with lyrics discussing a conflicting sense of place.

“A lot of the lyrics are about escaping, but at the same time a lot of them are about being rooted, finding home,” says singer Nathan Henderson. “The song could be a farewell to a past lover, or indeed to a past way of life".

 

Basht., ‘Dirty White’

Dubliners Basht. have shared their much-awaited debut EP Dirty White Lies -  a refreshing, Wunderhorse-flavoured collection of rock ‘n’ roll bangers. The opening track ‘Dirty White’ is dirty, distorted and compelling, with dark lyrics detailing a romantic encounter driven by dishonesty and primordial desires.

The hotly-tipped outfit are currently in the midst of a headline tour across Ireland and the UK, with a show in Galway’s Róisín Dubh this evening (22 March). First hitting the scene in 2022 releasing four single, they’ve since toured with the aforementioned Wunderhorse, garnering a reputation for their invigorating live shows.

 

Lucy Gaffney, ‘Forgive to Forget’

There’s a wistful twang to Belfast native Lucy Gaffney’s latest indie bop ‘Forgive to Forget’. The track paints a reverb-washed vignette of the singer’s time living in Dublin, which also acts as the location for the accompanying music video. Sonically, it’s a fusion of ‘90s alt heroes Pixies and Elliot Smith, with the modern pop sensibilities of acts like Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift sprinkled in for good measure.

“It’s about a new romance and the conflicting nature of my thoughts at that time, thoughts that only seem to occur when you’re lost in the idea of love," says Gaffney of her latest release. "I was searching for clarity and trying hard to bring down the walls I was building in my mind to understand how I truly felt about someone. Later on, I began reading James Joyce’s, A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man, and only then on reflection, I was able to realise that it’s the overthinking mind that was guarding the reality of the situation and how I truly felt.”

The talented songstress has also announced the release of a her new EP Pitfalls, which is set to drop on 3 May.

 

Bren Berry, 'Beautiful Losers'

Bren Berry is back with his third release, ‘Beautiful Losers.’ A nod to the novel by Leonard Cohen, the single was initially written as a wedding anniversary gift for Berry’s wife. “Karen and I are massive Leonard Cohen fans,” the songwriter explained, “and I read his 1960s novel Beautiful Losers to her when we stayed on the Greek island Hydra where he wrote the book.”

The result is a single bursting with life and love, thickened by lush harmonies from Mark McKowski and Rachel Grace as Berry’s driving vocals soar over a cacophony of earworm melodies and groovy rhythms. 

“I had Covid when I wrote the song, so I wanted it to be slightly trippy,” Berry said of the new single. “I also wanted it to have a Japanese feel, so my co-producer Gavin Glass and I worked on creating keyboard sounds to enhance and complement the guitar hooks. We were inspired by artists like Ryuchi Sakamoto, Flaming Lips, David Bowie, Echo & The Bunnymen and David Sylvian.”

Somewhere North, 'Eden'

Somewhere North has set the stage with their debut single ‘Eden,’ a chorus-pop banger that comes just in time for warm spring weather. Birthed from the duo’s extensive trove of unreleased tracks, the new single is a celebration of friendship and creativity, marking Somewhere North as an act to watch in the coming months. 

"We started this project for fun, just hanging out, writing music together,” the pair explained. “Writing together always felt seamless, since we were 16. Sharing a creative space in Dublin this past year has only fueled our creativity. Somewhere North emerged from the simplicity of making music, and as the songs kept coming - it felt like a no-brainer to see it through."

YOURS, '80's (OUR LOVE)'

Multi-disciplinary collective YOURS (Maverick Sabre, New Machine, Jake and Sonny Hall) are back with ''80’S (OUR LOVE),’ a resplendent number that channels deep house sensibilities and 1980s TV visuals.

Even the dance-averse will find it hard not to tap their foot to this undeniably rousing banger. With its falsetto vocals and cosmic synth arpeggios, this starry-eyed undercarriage adds to the afterhours mood of '80’S (OUR LOVE).’

With remixes due to land in coming weeks, the track is shaping up to be one of those annual records that come to symbolise the start of summertime joy.

Emmett, 'Cold Fire'

On ‘Cold Fire,’ indie-EDM artist Emmett continues to produce his distinct brand of dystopian electro-pop with spectral soundscapes and doomed subject matter.

Pedalled by phantasmic synths, a macabre bassline and séance-esque vocals, ‘Cold Fire’ sounds like a ghosted memory of a song, haunting yet electrifying; the artist himself deems the track “a burning effigy of an old flame.” This sombre electro-pop offering evokes memories of a relationship reduced to ashes, the embers refusing to die.

"’Cold Fire’ embodies the end of an era, the decay of a dying love story,” Emmett remarks. “Filled with regret and reminiscence conveyed by the haunting vocal and sombre tones, the fatigue of the fight echoed in the lyrics, ‘Cold Fire’ is a letter of farewell to a love that never could be."

Wise Up, 'Out To Dance'

Indie grunge rockers Wise Up return from their debut EP Soothe The Soul with a dizzying new single. ‘Out To Dance’ immediately intoxicates listeners with its reverb-soaked vocals, flickering synths and a thrashing bassline.

"The song tells the story of a girl seeking and enjoying a night out,” says vocalist and guitarist Garry Lynch. “Escaping to the city, the narrative of the track attempts to describe the feeling of losing oneself to the rhythms of the dance floor, and forgetting about the hassle of day to day life.”

Laced with alt rock and dream pop undertones, the track covers themes of empowerment, self discovery and celebrating individual expression.

alright then, 'Honey'

After grabbing listeners’ attention with the lazy rock debut ‘Colouring House,’ alright then is back with another charming thrasher entitled ‘Honey.’ With the heavy cuts of Neil Young, alright then expertly channels the folk-rock influences of Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile and Kevin Morby and they don a juvenile mentality and cynical verbiage. 

The Dublin trio of Conor Mcloughlin (vocals), Colm Geraghty (drums) and Charlie Webster (guitar) was born from Mcloughlin’s solo endeavours as a singer-songwriter, appearing on the scene in back in 2023 with their debut at Forest Fest and a sold-out show in Bello Bar. Now, gearing up to announce a string of festival appearances for 2024, alright then will take the stage yet again on 27th March at The Button Factory. 

$ona Blue, 'OUT DA WAY'

Emerging indie artist $ona Blue has found her place on the Dublin music scene in a rush of groovy drums, soulful guitar riffs and catchy melodies. The Sri Lanka-born Dublin-based artist’s latest release, ‘OUT DA WAY,’ is the funky spring bop we’ve been waiting for, expertly blending notes of playful banter and soulful seriousness. 

“The song is about being on a journey to find peace of mind,” the artist explained. “The trials and tribulations I am facing as a young person growing up with pressure to become successful. So it is important to first find myself and what I  truly desire so I can move in authenticity, which I believe is the highest form of success – being true to myself.”

Pat Lagoon, 'Imposter'

On ‘Imposter,’ Pat Lagoon seamlessly blends old-school drum breaks, lush samples refracted through psychedelic prisms and pummelling bass lines to produce a dynamic, unique soundscape that is both nostalgic in spirit and fresh by design.

Over the sumptuous production chops, Pat’s smooth and varied flows flicker with technicolour richness, gulping down consonants with no coming up for air.

Waterford native Hannah Malone contributes vocals and harmonies to balance Pat’s raw, point-blank delivery. Effervescent grooves bubble underneath the fragile wisps of her upper register, making for an infectious listen that immediately charms listeners.

KAR, 'Running'

Following the success of her first two singles ‘TIME’ and ‘Ecstasy,’ Cork singer-songwriter KAR drives her energetic sound forward on latest offering ‘Running.’

With its catchy melody underpinned by the singer’s powerhouse vocal performance, this anthemic pop number scintillates within its ultraviolet aura. ‘Running’ centres on the healing experience in the aftermath of a break-up and the struggle to move on.

Infused with raw emotion and defiance, the track boldly channels empowerment and agency following a failed relationship.

“This song was so much fun to bring to life, and I hope you love it as much as I do,” KAR says of the track.

Graham x Hikii - 'Irish Gold'

Graham and Hikii have released a 16-song album, Irish Gold, via Outstraight Records.

The title track stands out, in particular, with its lush string backing, red-blooded basslines and thumping drums which activate the song’s heartbeat. It’s a fitting introduction to the sound of the album, with its lo-fi beats, ethereal strings and seamless flows. On ‘Irish Gold,’ the old-school hip hop delivery treads a distinctly Irish contour.

“Lots of blood sweat & tears gone into this project by all involved!” Graham commented on Instagram. “A labour of love if you ask me!”

New Jackson, 'Like'

After a string of releases earlier this month, New Jackson is back with another exciting new track entitled ‘Like,’ featuring Rita Lynn and Graham “Yenkee” Cooney.  The track arrives just before the release of Jackson’s upcoming LP OOPS!...POP, the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s From Night To Night

“‘Like’ is a silly little tongue-in-cheek parody song that pokes fun at the state of all us saps on all our stoopid apps in the spirit of Zapp, Funkadelic, Moodyman, Dam Funk, Egyptian Lover, and Wham, always a little bit of Wham,” New Jackson said of the new track. 

Reii, 'bleed'

Emerging 21-year-old Dublin pop artist Reii has released his new track ‘bleed’,  produced, mixed and mastered from his bedroom. This electronic pop love song is about holding onto the ones you love and attempting to reassure a loved one when they are not feeling good enough.

This song will evokes memories of  driving down the motoryway at sunset, with its voltaic melody and guitar riffs with melancholy undertones. The lyricism is comforting and lulls the listener into a subtle sense of comfort. For this track, Reii says that he “wrote this song pretty quickly after hearing the main guitar loop used throughout the song, the lyrics just came to me.”

Ruth Mac, 'Tutti Frutti'

Ruth Mac has released her new lo-fi track entitled ‘Tutti Frutti’. This retro-style song opens with a tranquil, echoing sound that blends perfectly with gentle guitar riffs - ending on an upbeat, dance-inducing note.

“The track was inspired by a prompt to reflect on a teenage friendship that’s had a lasting effect on you," Mac says. "Someone sprang to mind immediately! A lifelong friend that introduced me to bands that changed my musical course entirely, lent me my first electric and ‘engineered’ my first recording session on a janky 4-track in the living room above his family’s pub in Tuam."

Rory Ryan, 'If I Ever Feel Like Coming Back'

Rory Ryan has released his debut album, When You’re Alone How Does It Feel? Taken from the project, ‘If I Ever Feel Like Coming Back’ is a foot-tapping track that fits seamlessly into Ryan’s growing indie pop discography.

His new music is very connected to his physical home in Galway and the beautiful landscape that surrounds him: “A big part of my writing and producing process is listening to demos outside of the studio, so I end up listening to them when I’m out for a walk or going home from the studio,” Ryan explains. “I think that kind of gave me this association with nature for all these songs…The visuals that are attached to this album kind of capture the sonic mood of this record: things being big and colourful, but also somewhat distorted.”

Venus Grrls, 'Bloodsick'

Venus Grrrls have released their next rocking track ‘Bloodsick’, letting their goth aesthetic takes control in a beautifully rich, intense piece. The tune makes use of  dramatic synth patterns and powerful guitar chords to create the kind of invigorating electric sonic experience that band are becoming known for.

“‘Bloodsick’ describes a change, or a metamorphosis of a being that has become far more insular and isolated," says lead singer GK. "It is a grief of what once was, that transcends into a bittersweet liberation of a new body, or way of living both physically and emotionally."

Kormac featuring MayKay, 'Waiting on You'

Dublin composer, producer and performer Kormac has released his latest electronica bop, ‘Waiting on You,’  ahead of his Easter Saturday retrospective at The National Concert Hall. The joy-filled track made in collaboration with vocalist MayKay features an exciting arrangement of strings, sweeps and synths that further underlines Kormac’s unique artistic flare. 

“There are three completely different uses of  MayKay’s voice in the track,” Kormac explains of the track’s production process. “[There’s] the sombre, delicate opening where it's simply her voice and piano, the chorus hook made to sound like a sample, and the chopped up, glitched, distorted snippets of her voice.”

Hozier, 'Too Sweet'

World-renowned singer-songwriter Hozier has released his latest EP Unheard, composed of four unreleased songs, including the hard-hitting, bass-heavy opener ‘Too Sweet.’ Originally recorded during the sessions for his latest chart-topping album Unreal Unearth, ‘Too Sweet’ is the perfect amalgamation of Hozier's expert lyricism and raw vocal talent. 

“It’s my pleasure to announce the release of more work from the album sessions which could not make the original release,” Hozier said of the new drop. “These are songs that might’ve made it to the circles of gluttony, limbo, violence and the outward ‘ascent’ respectively but could not for different reasons. I’m very glad I’ll get to share them with you.”

SIIGHTS, 'All My Life'

Best friend duo SIIGHTS have released their latest five track EP Through Thick and Thin, featuring the explosive self-love anthem ‘All My Life.’ With a stadium-sized chorus and clear musical bond, Mia and Toni delve into the importance of finding  and loving yourself ahead of romantic infatuations. 

“While the subject matter of some songs is quite heavy, the energy is actually very upbeat,” SIIGHTS explained of the EP. “We speak a lot about wanting people to feel good through our music, to feel less alone and realise your own potential. Sometimes you can be so focused on the future you can forget to live in the moment & be present for yourself & with the people you care about. Through Thick And Thin is about finding the joy, seeking out the freedom that lives on the other end of letting go & being present in the moment.”

Jordan Adetunji, ‘ZACK & CODY’

Hailing from Belfast, Jordan Adetunji has released his next genre melding song ‘ZACK & CODY’. His new track mixes sounds from rap, r&b and post-punk music, with a fast-paced, poppy bass which pairs nicely with Adetunji’s lyricals.

Typically known for his powerful self-reflection in his music, Adetunji has grabbed the attention of many well known artists, and  recently signed to RCA Records at the behest of Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes. Heavily influenced by Anime, Adetunji's hero-like rise will surely continue, having also been recognised on TikTok’s #AltMusic artists list.

 

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Jaq Reidy, ‘WTCHYRBCK’

Revered Irish rapper and producer Jaq Reidy is back with a new hard-hitting hip-hop track featuring BoogieK6. ‘WTCHYRBCK’ is an uptempo rap head-bopper, with clever lyrics that flow with an ease similar to hip hop icons like A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$ and Tyler, the Creator. 

Combining expert production with smooth rapping skill, Reidy has created his own lush, energetic sound, infusing the track with life and movement. 

 

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Basht., ‘Dirty White’

Dublin five-piece Basht. Continue their upwards trajectory with their latest EP Dirty White Lies, featuring the explosive lead track ‘Dirty White.’ This exciting release comes just before the rock outfit embark on their second UK and Irish tour, with stops in Dublin, Galway, Manchester, London and Glasgow. 

“We’ve played some amazing shows over the past 12 months in some of Ireland’s and the UK’s liveliest cities and we can’t wait to bring our music back!” The band wrote in a recent Instagram post.  “Every single person we’ve met along the way has helped us keep this journey rocking and without the support from all of you none of this would be possible.”

Listen to our New Irish Songs playlist below!