Curitsy & hikii, ‘Eyes’

Wake up babe, new Curtisy just dropped. The Tallaght rapper joins forces with Dublin producer hikii for a sparkling new project - Beauty In The Beast - that boasts the same number of skips as trophies won by Man United this season (it’s zero).

Among the highlights is ‘Eyes'.  It features a lived-in beat with old school soul samples and a fat breakdown halfway through. Curtisy meanwhile, seems to have hit new levels with his flow, delivery and wordplay.

“With my debut album, I put together my best work from over the years and made it make sense, on Beauty In The Beast it was far more concentrated and precise,” Curtisy says.

“There’s particular moods and moments that are carried throughout the tape; we went into this knowing how many songs we wanted, knowing what story we wanted to tell, thinking about singles and videos as we were creating the project. It was created entirely in one place, during one period of time and I think that is noticeable throughout.”

Cliffords, ‘My Favourite Monster’

Taken from Cliffords' new EP Salt of the Lee, ‘My Favourite Monster’, is a lyrically-rich and climatic track. Over an Arcade Fire-like amalgamation of instruments, lead singer Iona Lynch zeroes in the on falling for someone that you really shouldn’t.

“My Favourite Monster I describe as a love song to someone you don’t like but feel drawn to,” she says.

“I wrote it about someone I know in Cork that I would always stop and talk to even though I know they don’t like me and I don’t like them. I was reading Frankenstein at the same time and thought it would be fun to make parallels between me and this guy, and Frankenstein and his monster.

“Lots of the reasons I didn’t like this guy were also traits I saw in myself, so I wanted this to be a love letter to someone who I don’t get on with and never will get on with, but I think in some way we understand each other.”

49th & Main, ‘Rewind’ feat. mustebejohn

Kilkenny dance duo 49th & Main team up with UK vocalist mustbejohn for the last single before their debut album Happy Tears.

While the breakbeat percussion and house production ensure that it’s as easy to boogie to as we’ve come to expect, ‘Rewind’ takes a slightly more emotional turn, with a dramatic piano loop and raw, wistful lyrics.

The imminent album, out June 13, is expected to “distill everything 49th & Main represent across 21 tracks.”

"Lately I’ve been attempting to realise that I will 100% look back upon this present time in my life and want it back,” says Ben O’Sullivan. “In actively doing this I have been brought to tears a few times. Happy tears. Just from trying to appreciate where I am. Yeah so that’s basically the idea I’d like to embody with this project. Finding beauty in the small details of life.”

Big Boy Foolish, ‘Fraghorn’

Consisting of northside Cork duo and veteran musicians Ricky Dineen and Liam Heffernan, a post-punk duo from the northside of Cork City, Big Boy Foolish offer a quirky and brooding alternative rock number on ‘Fraghorn’.

The track creates an unnerving atmosphere, through menacing guitars and chanting vocals, with highly literate lyrics painting a picture of a societal decay.

Without Willow, ‘The Way Back’

After a busy 2024, which included the release of their debut LP Left Behind, Donegal folk double act Karen Kelly and Simon McCafferty's arrive with their second single of the year. ‘The Way Back’, with filigree acoustic instrumentation and swooning strings, is an earthy and nostalgic tune which takes an emotional look back at childhood friendships.

“The song was initially inspired by that moment when, as kids, we play with our friends for the last time without knowing it’s the end of an era,” says Kelly. “But as time passes, that love has a way of bringing people back together. The Way Back celebrates those friendships that survive time and distance—you just pick up where you left off.”

dirty marmalade, ‘Hills of Breifne’

Comprising Lil’ Phynott & Mildly Fool!sh, dirty marmalade’s title track from their new album immediately hits you with an ‘80s, Cure-evoking guitar riff and energetic, tight-as-a-duck’s-you-know-what drumming.

A distinct Cavan accent can also be heard, professing lyrics which fall in line with the greater themes of their LP - described by the band as a “battle cry for the isolated, creative outsiders of rural Ireland struggling to find meaning and connection amidst an apathetic landscape of boy-racers, yup bros and gaa lovers.”

Mr Pink, ‘Psycho’

Norn Iron hard rockers Mr Pink continue their rich vein of songwriting form with a loud, distorted shedding of a bad relationship. Skull-shaking drums, as well as mountain-moving bass and guitars provide the platform for singer Adam Mullan to cent and release “an exorcism through noise.”

“The song is raw emotional response towards a difficult relationship,” the Belfast man says. “The song is about finally letting go and saying how I actually felt rather than bottling it all up."

Chris Wong, ‘Phoenix’

Marking Chris Wong’s second release of the year, ‘Phoenix’ is a sultry and soulful number of romantic, reverbed guitar chords, atmospheric and groovy instrumentation. Written as a response to the small-town mindset he grew up around in Ireland, ‘Phoenix’ channels feelings rarely found in a Chris Wong song: anger and disappointment.

”These lyrics just poured out of me” Wong says. “There were people in my life who didn’t exactly make me feel great about pursuing music. Whether they meant it or not, their words made me question a lot. ‘Phoenix’ was my response — an angry, defiant one.”

Eppie, ‘Molly’s Boyfriends’

Hailing from Eppie’s new EP First Name Basis, ‘Molly’s Boyfriend’ is an atmospheric rock number of masterfully layed vocals and rousing guitar sections, for a tune that is as emotionally stirring and powerful as it is catchy and intense. It comes as part of an EP dealing with the current experience of nightlife in Dublin, going to gigs and kissing strangers.

Mute The TV, ‘DNA’

Wicklow four piece indie-rock band Mute the TV return today with their new single DNA, a tune with raw energy, changing time signatures and punk inspired personality. It's a song about doom scrolling, binge watching the telly, sleepless nights, feeling trapped, but seeing the positives in the day-to-day and finding the attitude to break out of how you're feeling.

Blue Fish Diamond, ‘Gracepark’

A gently languorous and groovy ballad, Blue Fish Diamond’s ‘Gracepark’ is a softly romantic and summery tune of slow building instrumentation and lazy, atmospheric guitar chords, offering a subtle and enticing look into their new record Radio Silence, out now.

Tridence, ‘Decay’

The fourth single off of Tridence’s upcoming album, ‘Decay’ is a fierce and dynamic track driven by jagged guitar textures, a relentless rhythm section, and a vocal performance seething with conviction. It “captures the sound of a society crumbling under the weight of its own contradictions,” according to the band.

BABA, ‘Running In Circles’

An anthemic and silky-smooth tune, BABA’s ‘Running In Circles’ and its joyful melodies and richly textured soundscapes is taken from the artist’s new album Truth, out today.

BABA says: “This album is my story—my journey through the highs and lows of recent years. It is an honest reflection on grief, resilience, and self-discovery, born from my struggles with fertility, the heartbreak of baby loss, and the mental health challenges that followed. It is a story about facing the complexities of healing while embracing those glorious moments of love, joy, nostalgia, and hope. Always hope. There was room for some bangers in there too”

Taylor Byrne, ‘Time Better Spent’

An infectious toe-tapper, Taylor Byrne’s ‘Time Better Spent’ was written while on tour with The Celtic Social Club, and features a swaggering acoustic guitar rhythm, witty lyrics — and playful call-and-response harmonies. Though lyrically tinged with romantic disenchantment, it’s the song’s insistent pulse and lush melodic drive that truly shine.

Cian Ducrot, ‘Shalalala’

‘Shalalala’ sees Cian Ducrot exploring the turmoil and chaos of the world we live in, but finding a ray of optimism within the communities and personal connections that we share. Its soaring vocals, thunderous percussion and inspiring gospel backing vocals provide an exhilarating, mood-boosting rush.

Cian says, “This song is about hope and solidarity in times where the world feels like it needs it most. It’s about holding our friends, loved ones and strangers close and remembering we are all part of the same world, the same community, the same purpose. Love is the only answer, and beauty is there where you look for it. The probability of being born is estimated to be 1 in 400 trillion and never mind that we are all here at the same time…so let’s come together and let us sing together SHALALALA”.

Forg.ie, 'A Place'

Gaeilgeoir rapper Forg.ie returns with the gritty, thought-provoking tune, ‘A Place’. The single follows up the artist’s acclaimed single ‘Fadhb’.

Pedalled by the rapper’s silver-tongued flow, the track is a powerfully-wrought offering that sharply observes the struggles facing younger generations.

With ‘A Place’, Forg.ie continues to cement his rep as an emerging force among the Irish rap scene.

 

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Last Apollo, ‘Dandelion’

Opening with weighty strings, the Irish-born and London-based artist Last Apollo excites with her new single, ‘Dandelion.’ Sonically, the song feels heavy, amplified by powerful vocals that gradually build.

“Can you hear the strength in my voice?” she sings. “Can you hear that I make noise?”

The song addresses themes of nostalgia, youth and unshakable memories. Also known as Lucy Rice, the artist’s voice quivers with raw emotion, making this release impossible to get out of your head.

J Smith, 'Bassinet'

Imagine Thom Yorke linked up with Ben Howard, and you’d end up in the ballpark that J Smith is operating from. The lead single from his upcoming album I STOOD THERE NAKED… proves this in spades.

With its raw folk trimmings and poetic precision, ‘Bassinet’ finds the Dublin artist reflecting on the moment he learned he would become a father.

Reflecting on the strange mix of feelings, he sings: “I’ve never felt something like this / something that makes you, shakes you, breaks you / and seals it off with a kiss.”

J.F.O, ‘Too Much’

Following the release of ‘Put The Blame On Me,’ J.F.O returns with a bassy new single. The Dublin rapper responds to the harsh realities of life, exploring self-indulgence in a world of excess. His casual delivery exudes confidence, though his lyrics speak to a growing sense of disconcertment.

“I feel like I’m working from nothing, I’m hurting but thugging, I’m stuck at the fork in the road,” he raps.

RUÁ, 'Sunrise (The ghost of me loves the ghost of you)'

The final release from RUÁ’s second EP, The Magic Theatre, continues the Irish polymath’s mystic saga that blends magical realism and existential impressions.

‘Sunrise (The ghost of me loves the ghost of you)’ is an undeniably ethereal track, crystallising the moment one wakes up from a dreamlike state, eyes squinting as they adjust to the morning light. As the protagonist comes to consciousness, a series of flashbacks wash over the narrative—tales of love and beauty, fear and loss. A spell-binding creation that pedals poetic rawness across a wistful soundscape.

Jean Pack, ‘Ruby’

Jean Pack’s ‘Ruby’ gives listeners a sneak peak into her upcoming debut EP Allora, out July 25. She derives sonic inspiration from The Beatles, The Raincoats and The Velvet Underground. Her new song has a dreamy 60’s quality, reflecting on identity, strife and ultimate perseverance.

“There are four precious stones - diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds - each with its own unique chemistry,” she said. “Rubies, in particular, often carry inclusions - flaws formed naturally over time.”

Fans can catch Pack at her launch show on June 6 in Nudes, Cork City.

Michael J. Sheehy with Fiona Brice and Brigid Mae Power, 'The Weight Of Water'

Michael J. Sheehy, Fiona Brice and Brigid Mae Power unite on the vibrant orchestral offering, ‘The Weight Of Water’.

With Brice’s string-laden chops and Power’s serene backing vocals, the track is a reworking of the closing track on their first album My Grief on the Sea

The song draws inspiration from the 1835 Poor Law Commission report describing dispossessed Irish squatters who settled along the coast after being evicted from inland areas. These individuals lived in makeshift huts on tiny plots of land, paying high rents while struggling to survive—conditions reflected in the song’s portrayal of famine-era hardship.

Queen Bitch, ‘Even If I Pray’

Dublin-based Queen Bitch, also known as Róisín Bohan, has introduced the fiery new single ‘Even If I Pray.’ With eclectic guitars and crashing drums, the track was dropped alongside ‘A Popular Song,’ and marks her first release of the year. Her brooding lyrics set a moody tone, maintaining a strong sense of power.

“All that’s wanted is to be free,” she sings. “So free, we could be dead.”

K3:lu, 'Still The Voices Come’'(Jinjé remix)

Yorkshire DJ Jinjé sheds a new light on Cork artist Kʒːlu’s track ‘Still The Voices Come’.

The upbeat re-interpretation boasts swampy synth basslines and capering percussion, sustaining a soundscape that’s geared towards the kinetic collusion of the dancefloor.

Speaking about the tune, Jinjé says: “As soon as I heard the original, I knew there was something I could bring to the table on this remix. I couldn’t wait to turn it into a dance floor vibe. Apart from that synth lead line in the first section, everything you hear is from the source material. Such great sounds to play with.”

Danny Groenland, ‘chip in’

Featuring a groovy brass section, Danny Groenland sings of a hopeful future.

“If we all chip in, we can do anything,” his lyrics read. “We’re stronger together, don’t give in to fear.”

The single, which marks the fifth release ahead of his upcoming third album burning rome, speaks to the growing fear of environmental catastrophe. Rather than focusing on the negative, however, the optimistic track argues that change is possible. It also includes a delightful flute solo from Groenland, making the dynamic song all the more interesting.

Jillelli, 'On My Very Own'

Dublin electropop artist Jillelli is back with a new single that channels funk and ‘80s pop sensibilities to propulsive degree.

Created in collaboration with Irish-Zimbabwean producer Kevin Brennan, ‘On My Own’ offers an anthem of self-empowerment and personal growth despite the ever-shifting landscape of relationships.

Wielding an electrifying rhythm section and magnetic synth flourishes, the track provides a vibrant tribute to trusting oneself amid life’s uncertainties.

BK Pepper, ‘Pagan’

Previewing BK Pepper’s upcoming album of the same name, ‘Pagan’s orchestral musings delight and inspire. The atmospheric new song opens with a delicate piano, as strings are slowly introduced into the track. It features performances by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Ireland’s Glasshouse Ensemble and Icelandic violinist Viktor Orri Árnason

“Recording with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra was a really big deal for me,” said the musician, otherwise known as Bryan Kevin. “I love the orchestra sound. I’ve played in orchestras for years, and getting to conduct your own music is such a terrifying and exhilarating experience.”

D Cullen, ‘Young Men’

D Cullen addresses toxic masculinity with his new track, ‘Young Men.’ The alt-rocker from Dublin will also release his new album City Soundscapes, out in September.

"From my earliest days in an all-boys school in Dublin, I've never really felt at home in heavily masculine/laddy circles,” he said. “I've always felt like an outsider in those circles. Increasingly, in the wake of the last few years where movements like ‘the Manosphere’ and figures such as Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan have taken more of a hold on the culture, I've become more and more concerned and distressed with how unpleasant certain men's behaviour can be.

“At the same time, there's a growing sense that a lot of men are using these behaviours to hide behind while they deal with some seriously heavy struggles. This song tries to address both issues, by both prodding at some of the more distasteful elements of ‘lad culture’ and also shining a light on the vulnerability behind a lot of that bravado. Although the song was written well before this came out, the show Adolescence floored me when I watched it recently, as it captured that dichotomy perfectly. I hope this song can capture some of that current cultural tension in the same way."

AOIBHA, ‘Peace in Insignificance’

Dreamy and melodic, ‘Peace in Insignificance’ off AOIBHA’s new EP Insignificance reminds listeners to breathe. The artist's delicate voice lays on a bed of layered vocals and soft guitars. Brooding lyricism amplifies her sense of resolve, carried throughout the entire song.

"Something that really comforts me is the idea that, in the grand scheme of everything, we are all tiny and insignificant,” she said. “When things feel overwhelming and out of control, I like to find peace in my own insignificance.”

A.Smyth, ‘Houston’

Dublin singer-songwriter A. Smyth returns with ‘Houston’, the third single from his upcoming second album Hello Goliath. Built around a simple acoustic strum and rich with emotional layers, ‘Houston’ is a heartfelt, melancholic-filled track that showcases Smyth’s warm timbre.

The song came from “searching for the 'happy ever after' we're promised in old Hollywood movies,” explains Smyth.

His upcoming record, which comes out June 13, explores the delicate balance between daily stress and the small joys that cut through. Inspired in part by fatherhood, insomnia-fuelled nursery rhymes and sonic late-night dives into Glen Campbell and Mercury Rev, the album promises a stripped-back analog feel recorded with producer Darragh Nolan in Wexford.

Deja Vu, ‘I Love You Anyway’

‘I Love You Anyway,’ the new track from rising Wicklow four-piece Deja Vu, pairs Springsteen-esque grit with modern indie-rock polish. O’Brien’s powerful, range-less vocals lead a heartfelt reflection on family and forgiveness, echoing influences like Sam Fender and U2. It’s a bold, radio-ready anthem that captures Deja Vu’s maturing sound and emotional range.

Known for their live performances and steady stream of radio-supported singles the band is fronted by Stefan O’Brien (vocals), and includes members David Mulvey (drums), Rhys Doyle (guitar) and Harry Jacobs (bass). Their latest track is their fourth single, and given their current form I suspect (and hope) there will be more releases very soon.

Birthday Problem, ‘Venus Calls’ feat Jess Kav

Birthday Problem, the collaborative project of producers Matt Harris and Rocky O’Reilly, closes the first chapter of their two-part concept album with the hauntingly powerful new single ‘Venus Calls’ featuring vocalist and artist Jess Kav.

Originating from a thought-provoking question about humanity’s darker impulses, ‘Venus Calls’ offers a poetic, psychedelic sonic experience. Jess Kav’s vocals are both delicate and commanding, weaving through spacy synth layers and electronic textures. Her lyrics, steeped in vulnerability and defiance, echo long after the track ends. The song feels like a moment suspended in time, a musical journey with weight and atmosphere.

Dorota Konczewska, ‘This Is Bye Bye’

Layered with groovy syncopated beats, delicate slide guitar and Dorota Konchevska’s mystifying, processed vocals, 'This is Bye Bye' blurs the line between song and sonic diary. Dublin-based artist Konchevska, also known as Dot, unveils her most personal track to date with, a haunting, introspective single that meditates on memory, grief and the tender act of letting go.

Emotionally raw yet composed, the track invites listeners into a quiet space of reflection. "We’re taught to chase happiness," Dorota says, "but sadness is another note on the keyboard. It needs to be played too. I didn’t set out to make something upbeat or easy, I just wanted it to feel true."

Ciúnas, ‘My Eyes!’

Dublin indie-pop trio Ciúnas continue their momentum with 'My Eyes!,' a vibrant, synth-laced celebration of female friendship. Following their acclaimed sophomore single 'Temptress' and a standout set on Whelan’s Ones to Watch main stage, 'My Eyes!' blends groovy guitar riffs, upbeat synths and rich group vocals into a feel-good summer anthem.

Honest lyrics and powerful vocals give the track heart, while its bouncy rhythm and catchy melody showcase the band’s growing confidence and charm. Influenced by CMAT, The Cranberries and Fleetwood Mac, Ciúnas are fast becoming a standout voice in Ireland’s indie music scene.

 

Rory Sweeney, ‘Entrance Places’

'Entrance Places' is the latest experimental dream pop track from Irish producer Rory Sweeney, featuring Saoirse Miller, RÓIS and Risteárd Ó hAodha. Built around lush orchestral instrumentation, ambient textures and intricately repeated percussive rhythms - mostly on chimes and xylophones - the song conjures a mystical atmosphere that is both haunting and transcendental. Miller’s trademark layered choral composition elevate the track’s emotional core, guiding listeners through a sonic meditation on isolation, nature and the allure of imagined worlds.

"So much of the music I make is inspired by fairy folklore and old Irish folk tales," says Sweeney. "Nature can be so beautiful and cruel at the same time; there’s something there that I’m really interested in." Reflecting on the philosophical undercurrent of the track, he adds: "It’s fucked up that we started thinking of ourselves above nature... There used to be an understanding that we coexist with nature."

Cruel Sister, ‘IRON PILLS’

Cruel Sister takes a bold leap into the industrial dream space on her new single ‘IRON PILLS.’ Written and produced entirely in her Dublin bedroom, the track draws from 90s trip-hop and breakbeat, lacing choppy samples, distorted guitars and murky electronics with echoing, ethereal vocals. It’s an anxious, nocturnal descent that captures insomnia and late-night dread with hypnotic urgency.

‘IRON PILLS’ is both technically ambitious and purposefully claustrophobic as Cruel Sister’s angelic vocal floats over percussive industrial chaos, creating a soundtrack that wouldn’t feel out of place in a 90s warehouse rave or a David Lynch project.

Following her EPs girls my age and Turgid, and leading into A CORPSE IS TALKING, this track confirms Cruel Sister as a singular voice in Irish alt-music, one who continues to carve out her own uncompromising sonic world.

KONNO, ‘Dream Talks’

Galway indie-rock artist KONNO returns with his emotionally charged second single, ‘Dream Talks,’ out May 29, 2025. Following the success of his debut ‘Meet Me Later,’ KONNO delivers a raw, confessional track that fuses heartfelt lyricism with tight percussion and smooth guitar lines.

"'Dream Talks' is an anthem for anyone who's ever been fucked over," says KONNO. Written in the wake of personal betrayal, the song captures emotional turmoil with striking honesty. KONNO’s vocal performance is a standout: dynamic, expressive and technically gifted as he navigates a complex melody filled with despair.

With its pulsing beat and cathartic hook, “Dream Talks” is both sonically compelling and deeply personal, solidifying KONNO as one to watch in Ireland’s indie scene.

Listen to our playlist below: