New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Nick Carlisle, ‘Future Winters (Solstice Version)’

Nick Carlisle has released a new version of the track ‘Future Winters’ from his second solo album Sailors On The Roiling Sea. The new version is backed with a remix by musician and songwriter Anton Barbeau. Overall the album is a work of art rock, exploring AI, climate change, health anxiety, divisive contemporary discourse & more.

‘Future Winters (Solstice Version)’ is a gentle track with an interesting musical composition, guided by Carlisle’s tender vocals, overlaid by harmonies, and descriptive lyrics.

Cushla, ‘Ar Casa’

Cushla have released their mesmerising new single ‘Ar Casa’ alongside a music video. Blending the haunting beauty of traditional Irish sean-nós singing with innovative electronic production, Cushla’s new track demonstrates their artistic capabilities.

The video for Cushla’s new track was directed by Algency Studios, and merges mythology, traditional Irish attire, and futuristic aesthetics using AI-driven techniques. The new track is a captivating blend of traditional Irish and electronic music, combining to emerge with a unique and contemporary sound.

APOSTLE, ‘Trk2’

Dublin-based electronic artist APOSTLE has released a new EP, The Big Bang. Featuring three tracks, the EP is a journey into a soundscape carefully crafted by the artist, merging electronic energy, emotional storytelling, and irresistible grooves.

Talking about the EP, APOSTLE said: “The Big Bang is a statement: bold, raw, and dynamic. Each track is designed to connect, whether it’s through the pulse of the dancefloor or the atmosphere of a late-night drive”.

‘Trk2’ is an irresistible dance tune sure to encourage any electronic music lover to hit the dance floor and get lost in its ethereal brilliance.

Picture This, ‘Drink It Down To There’

Kildare rock group Picture This have released their latest single ‘Drink It Down To There’. Via an Instagram post, the group said: “The reaction to this little tune has been absolutely incredible and totally unexpected. We had no intention whatsoever on releasing it, to be honest I wasn’t even going to post it online but I’m so glad that we did now”.

With an acapella version of the song released too, the track is a heartfelt ballad with powerful vocals, about the simple pleasure of a pint with loved ones close by.

Biig Piig, ‘Ponytail’

Cork-born Biig Piig offers another exciting preview to her much-anticipated debut album 11:11 (out February 7) with ‘Ponytail’. Washed out, dreamy synthed-up guitar plucks create an atmospheric, suspended feel, before the track kicks into more familiar, groovy Biig Piig territory, via deep sub-bass and an earworm chorus. Late night listening par excellence.

The London-based artist is set to hit the road in support of her imminent LP, with a headline slot lined up for Dublin’s 3Olympia on February 17.

Biig Piig credit - Yana Van Nuffel

The Spudguns, ‘Dusty’

A five-piece hailing from all around Ireland, The Spudguns’ debut single ‘Dusty’ is a fierce starting shot for the band. An in-your-face, guitar-driven arrangement, with rattling bass piercing and screaming vocals to boot, this track is right up the alley of fans of Sprints, Oh Sees, Gurriers, and anything else good and noisy.

Working out of their Big Beef Sound studio in Arklow Co. Wicklow, The Spudguns say they have “refined their DIY-style approach to recording, while shaping their unique sound”, taking inspiration from surf and garage rock - with some subtle touches of psychedelia thrown in for good measure.

The Spudguns.

Robert Grace / The Fox Mob, ‘Jingle Bells (Batman Smells)

Consisting of lyrics from a popular children's re-imagining of a Christmas classic - Irish artist Robert Grace put a clip of his track ‘Jingle Bells (Batman Smells)’ online under the alias The Fox Mob, with little more intentions than having the craic. It’s since gone viral, garnering 5 million plays and thousands of Shazams -leading to the tune being rush released today.

“I originally made this Christmas song for my son Lincoln,” Grace says. “I basically just free styled the rap part super quick so the song would have a verse. Never thought in a million years that people would actually like it, I was just having a bit of fun hoping to make my son laugh.”

Robert Grace supporting Ryan Mack at The Academy. Copyright Jason Doherty.

CARSTEN2X, ‘Bodies’

A bass-laden, autotune-laced slice of alternative hip-hop and pop, CARSTEN2X’s latest track ‘Bodies’ is experimental and intimate, evoking the likes of The Weeknd and Lil Yachty. It looks set to be the last release in what’s been a fruitful year of singles for the Dublin-raised artist, whose WET WIPE EP dropped in August.

 

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Shane Codd, ‘Let You Love Me’

Another emerging name in Ireland’s rampantly popular dance scene, Dublin producer Shane Codd teams up with Manovski and vocalist Raphaella for this club banger. Intense piano lines permeate throughout, creating a tune which is simultaneously euphoric, melodramatic and uplifting - sure to get some feet on the dancefloor during your office Christmas party.

Shane Codd

SHEE, ‘close to you’

There is an undeniable lo-fi house pulse to SHEE’s latest track, ‘close to you’.

The offering is warm and crystalline, boasting a high-BPM staccato groove that flickers like the wings of a mechanical hummingbird, the soft flutter coming at you from every angle.

‘close to you’ features electronic charm and deftly-handled sampling that accentuates the glittering soundscape rather than consumes it whole. Wonderful.

SHEE at Coors The Big Chill at The Deep South in Cork. Copyright Trevor McGrath.

Peter Doran, ‘Marguerite’

Folk-singer songwriter Peter Doran has released his latest single ‘Marguerite’. This emotional track follows the singer as he sings of a sick ‘Marguerite’, as he tries to ease her pain. The song is about a child, Florence Marguerite McGrane, who passed away in 1899 from severe burns after her dress caught flame. ‘Marguerite’ passed in the very house track's music video was captured, as the child was an ancestor of Doran.

The track's emotional lyrics take to the forefront of the track, with stripped back accompaniment from the outset with later introductions of  hymn-like harmonies and piano block chords. The single will feature on Doran’s upcoming album, All the World is Running on a Mystic Code, which is set for release on May, 2025.

Underachiever, ‘SNACKBOX’

Underachiever - aka Tony McLoughlin of the Junior Brother band, and former member of The Young Folk - returns with a rousing new single.

According to Underachiever himself, ‘SNACKBOX’ is “a cautionary tale about misinformation about the health benefits of snack boxes spread by ‘big chicken’ and the consequences of carefree, unvetted and wanton snackbox consumption from an early age.

‘SNACKBOX’ was recorded by a slew of hot artists, including Christopher Barry and The Letdowns, Super Monaco, Sinéad White, Underachiever himself and more.

Underachiever

Ellen O’Meara, ‘Song for Palestine’

With lightly-strummed resplendence, Ellen O’Meara introduces her latest offering, ‘Song For Palestine’, a heart-rending song that explores the Western world’s apathy towards Palestine.

Like many, O’Meara watched in horror as the news from Palestine poured in over the year, struggling to understand the apathy towards the plight of Palestinians. In response to this, she wrote this song as a staunch expression of solidarity for Palestine in the hope that it might raise awareness and funds. All proceeds of the song go to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

A collaborative effort, O’Meara penned the song with production chops from Stepping on Lego and single artwork from Berlin-based Irish artist Dee Mulrooney.

Ellen O'Meara (Screenshot: Spotfiy)

Twisty, ‘The Streets of My Old Town’

Hot on the heels of previous releases, Twisty is back with another rollicking release, ‘The Streets of My Old Town’.

A love letter to 80s pop sonics, the track masterfully weaves nostalgic synths, drum machines and sparkly cliches to create a soundscape that is sure to transport listeners back to a time of neon-lit nights, hair perms and unforgettable melodies.

With catchy hooks, driving beats and era-defining charm, ‘The Streets of My Old Town’ is a shimmering display of Twisty’s unique blend of retro flair and modern production, both a loving tribute to the past and an emboldened step forward in his artistic revolution.

Olive Hatake, ‘These Feels Again’

Hailing from Olive Hatake’s new extended version of his second album BOYS NEED MORE LOVE, ‘THESE FEELS AGAIN’ features Haresquead’s Tony Konstone and transports the listeners with dreamy soundscapes of scintillating synths and ethereal, auto-tune heavy vocals, making for a three-minute track that is as hard-hitting as it is atmospheric.

Reflecting on the record, Hatake says: “I’ve been reflecting and thinking so much lately. Everything nowadays is designed to keep us disconnected from ourselves and other self. Men’s mental health is real and it’s the dark side of men’s existence and isn’t spoken about. BOYS NEED LOVE explores my journey on how I overcame depression and years of mental health and internal self torture that society played a huge role in creating.

"There’s a positive and negative in all aspects of this life and I’ve come to learn that there’s also a beauty within the depression and letting yourself experience and go through it. Some of the best art we make is when we use this dark energy for good. The pain is just as beautiful as the joy.

Olive Hatake - BOYS NEED LOVE

Shakalak, ‘Gimmy’

5-piece Dublin outfit Shakalak have released their new transporting single ‘Gimmy’, a stellar tune of bouncy synths and spacey guitar riffs, complete with a mix of buttery-smooth spoken words vocals and nostalgic, melodic choruses. In typical fashion, ’Gimmy’ manages to be as catchy and danceable as it is introspective and thought provoking.

Announcing the track on instagram, the band wrote: “Some songs write themselves - we pick up what people and places are putting down. 'Gimmy' is one of them. Anthemic, melodic, rhythmic. It is a hope-driven, introspective love letter.”

 

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KETTAMA & Interplanetary Criminal, ‘Yosemite’

A high-octane club tune of atmospheric vocals and heavy bass lines, ‘Yosemite’ marks the first collaboration between artist KETTAMA and Interplanetary Criminal, and comes together with strikingly anthemic synth lines and a breath-taking drop that resonates through the chest.

Commenting on the song’s writing process on Instagram, KETTAMA explains: “It was one random studio session in L.A while we were both mid tour where we made music for the first time together and everything just clicked and the song basically wrote itself… both immensely proud of this one and although it’s our first song together it most definitely won’t be our last.”

Kettama

Cell Games, ‘Witches x Bitches’

A less than 3-minute-long nu-metal banger, Cell Games’ ‘Witches x Bitches’ is an aggressive feminist anthem which aims its forked tongue at the unfortunate growing prevalence of people gravitating towards the manosphere, a mis-guided misogynistic movement, with the title being taken from a conversation overheard on some public transport. Packed with crunchy riffs, pummeling break downs, soaring melodies and a John Waters sample, the track began as a simple riff until the band got together and added their own touches to the melodies, quickly becoming a “happy studio accident”.

Cell Games

Chase Nova Band, ‘Beg For It Back’

Genre-bending Chase Nova Band have released their track ‘Beg For it Back’ accompanied by a music video. The single is the first the group has put out since their debut album The Sobering Fact.

The band's distinctive sound is achieved through rock-influenced compositions with jazz undertones that captivate the listener, complemented by hip-hop and R&B-inspired vocal performances conveying poetic and timely sociopolitical commentary.

Band member and songwriter Chase says that, “Beg For It Back is a song about feeling trapped and ashamed,It’s heavily influenced by my own experience of applying for welfare; all the hoops they ask you to jump through and the humiliation others put upon you for being unable to support yourself."

He explains, "The video plays with this concept, exaggerating the pain and embarrassment I felt. I actually broke two ribs filming it so hopefully the pain and discomfort comes through and adds visually to the song.”

Ellis Nayr, ‘Midnight Feel’                                              

Dublin rapper Ellis Nayrhas released his track ‘Midnight Feel’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. Produced by Micheal Ward, the song has an electronic ambient feel, with rap flow and lyricism that feels emotional, but still classically hip-hop.

Ellis Nayr says, "I called the song Midnight Feel because night time is when I get a lot of inspiration for making music, there’s a certain sense of peace you get when in the dark, it helps address how you feel and that’s a good ally to have. The energy in it is about letting go and the message is to pursue what you love."

He says on Instagram that, “Before we enter the new year I wanna go out with a bang. This is the icing on the cake for me before you start hearing my 2025 sounds.

• Check out our New Irish Songs To Hear This Week playlist on Spotify below: