New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

LARAbEL, ‘Pigeon Song’ feat. Moya Brennan

In her new single, ‘Pigeon Song’, LARAbEL draws on a mix of influences – both fresh and nostalgic, making for a deeply personal song and a dreamy soundscape. With Moya Brennan adding her ethereal layers to the track, the listener is lifted into another realm.

Commenting on the track, LARAbEL said “There were two things that inspired the song originally. One was when I was looking back on old journals and found a picture I had drawn of two pigeons on an electrical wire - they seemed like they were falling in love. The other was when I was feeding the pigeons at the top of Grafton Street, in Dublin, with the local ‘Pigeon Man’. He explained how the pigeons with white through their feathers have a bit of dove in their bloodline.

“'Pigeon Song' poured out of me in one sitting. It was a flow of subconscious thoughts and feelings that I felt had to be expressed. The song has constantly grown with me, and has been taking on new meanings since its conception. A friend of mine passed away last year and this was his favourite of my songs. Since then it’s become his song. Now, the meaning has become clear - it describes a forbidden love and a longing for that connection that can no longer exist.”

49th & Main, ‘Happy Days’

Hailing from 49th & Main new album Happy Tears, ‘Happy Days’ is a joyful and incredibly electro-pop track of transporting synths and catchy percussions, making for an boisterous yet moving and reflective summer anthems, both dance-inducing and ethereal drone bass notes, and marking an incredibly powerful first look into the band's new album.

Marty McGuigan, ‘For My Sorrows’

Emerging Irish singer songwriter Marty McGuigan releases his striking new single 'For My Sorrows', a track which follows our narrator as he feels like his life is permanently on display for vultures, know-alls, sadists and cynics. Our narrator is a tad paranoiac and feels that even those closest to him can’t be trusted and don’t take him seriously.

“Musically,” McGuigan comments on the track, “I thought I’d match this intensity with a heavier, rockier sound that’s a little bit like the hazy, harder side of The Doors in style, I think. It was aimed at matching the frenetic, frenzied and breakneck speed of the narrator’s own stream-of-conscious thoughts and flights of fancy."

Crow Black Chicken, ‘Hot Mollasses’

Following a nine-year hiatus, Crow Black Chicken are back with their new album Ghost Dance, including the single ‘Hot Mollasses’ and its lingering, sultry guitar riffs, making for the perfect backdrop to singer Christy O’Hanlon and his gravelly, earthful and incredibly powerful vocal performance.

The band said of the album: “Ghost Dance is a really special album to us. It marks almost ten years from our last release - a decade spent rethinking, evolving, and focusing on the live end of things. It’s been a long road, but getting back into the studio and having the chance to work with Philip Magee again - who we worked with for our debut album - has all made it feel like the right time, almost full circle. We’re proud.”

Patrick Dowling, ‘Colossal’

Patrick Dowling releases the mystical new track ‘Colossal’ and its accompanying music video. A moving and visceral acoustic guitar track, lined with powerful percussions and rich storytelling, ‘Colossal’ repurposes the feelings of first heartbreak into an Irish mythological retelling for the modern day.

“Colossal was written as a way of dealing with a rejection of love. I remember running in the middle of the night, going to tell the person I loved that they were what I wanted. It was make or break” Dowling says. “Colossal ruminates on those feelings. What’s lost. Why loving deeply puts things in danger. How love makes us do stupid things, even when we know they’re stupid, we do them anyway.” But Colossal is also about another world, like Tír na nÓg, the fairytale where it all works out. It’s the hopeless romantic calling out to the void, being willfully ignorant to protect the heart.”

Ro Malone, ‘Shimmy Shimmy Bae’

An absolute summer anthem pop anthem and a “vivacious vixen of a song”, Ro Malone’s ‘Shimmy Shimmy Bae’ is incredibly infectious and hard-hitting, and an ode to supporting other women - and yourself.

“The song is about finding your people and learning how to help refill their cup and yours,” Malone comments. “It's about it being okay not to be okay and knowing that there's no reason why you can't bounce back. A very successful Irish woman once told me "don't be somewhere and feel stifled and down on yourself" and to be honest, that word "stifled" didn't even exist in my vocabulary at the time; but once I looked it up it made so much sense to me and truly ignited a revolution inside my soul. Slowly but surely I've been removing all obstacles out of my way so that those I meet and support and the true me can ‘Shimmy Shimmy Bae'.”

WineMom, ‘Hello (Far Cry)’

Dublin groove-makers WineMom return with their infectious summer anthem ‘Hello (Far Cry), and incredibly bouncy and anthemic tune of effervescent guitar riffs and catchy bass lines, accompanying the signature honey-rich vocals from Rosanna Harrington. Both thoughtful and widely boisterous, the tune will make the ideal soundtrack to summer road trips and late night hangouts.

Jamie McIntyre, ‘Outside The City’

Galway songwriter Jamie McIntyre today releases his new single ‘Outside The City’, a deeply moving guitar ballad textured with banjo strings and piano melodies, both hopeful and incredibly visceral, invoking long summer nights and gentle spring mornings.

George Houston, ‘The Original Death Card’

The opening track to George Houston’s dazzling new album TODC, ‘The Original Death Card’ is a sultry, mysterious and incredibly striking track, lined with gloriously transporting electric guitar riffs and bouncy percussions, making for the perfect accompaniment to Houston’s groovy yet riotous vocal performance.

“TODC has been an incredible healing experience from start to finish,” Houston comments on his new record. “The death card, in tarot, is not only a symbol of death, but the change and rebirth that comes with it.

Van Morrison, ‘Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder’

Van the Man is back with his latest album Remembering Now, out today.

Track three, ‘Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder’, is a wondrously soulful number, comprising Richard Dunn’s deftly-appointed organ fills and gospel backing vocals that swirl around Van’s iconic baritone as the Belfast crooner reflects on the past.

By turns joyful and resilient, ‘Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder’ goes to show that the Man’s still got it.

A. Smyth, ‘Candle In A Coat’

With gorgeous acoustic guitar fills and hushed vocals, the final track from A. Smyth’s newest album, Hello Goliath, is a wonder of indie-folk sensibilities.

Over a glorious din, the Dublin singer contemplates the passage of time, his ethereal vocals reflecting: “It goes backwards/ It goes to Capel Street in the sun/ Where the old folks never grow old/ Does God still take people home I wonder?".

SexyTadhg, ‘My Parade’

SexyTadhg returns with the raw, fiery Pride anthem. With its propulsive disco-rock soundscape, ‘My Parade’ sets off in a blaze of glory, beseeching listeners to celebrate their identity and take to the streets for “justice, joy and liberation”.

“This song has given me so much strength over the last year and has connected me to others who dream of making this horrific world a safer place,” the artist says of the track. “I really hope everyone who hears it gets that same feeling of hope and empowerment.”

DUG, ‘Livelong Day’

By turns rousing and earthy, the latest single from Dublin folk duo DUG is a whirlwind of Americana and bluesy stylings.

Already a live fan favourite, ‘Livelong Day’ comprises an enlivening sonic palette, from striking banjo flourishes to magnetic fiddles.

“Lyrically the song depicts a drunken dance in a faerie ring,” says DUG. “The protagonist comes to his senses mid way through being swung around the mulberry bush and tries convincing himself he’s gonna get out ok. This is a sort of play on the Irish folktale ‘The Legend of Knockgrafton’”.

The Swell Season, ‘Great Weight’

Today, The Swell Season release their first album in 16 years with Forward.

Pedalling a bluesy resplendence, track 7, ‘Great Weight’ offers a beaming example of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s sonic synergy, their vocals braiding aural plaits around each other over the rough-edged backing.

Speaking about the album, Irglová comments: “It felt right to title the record ‘Forward’ because it’s a reunion of sorts,but we’re not going backwards. Both of us have grown and changed; we’re in different places and getting to know each other again as the new people we’ve become”.

Katie Phelan, ‘All So Much at Once’

Indie-folk artist Katie Phelan continues to cement her place in the Irish music scene with her debut EP Blues and Greens, released this week.

Track three, ‘All So Much At Once’ is a vibrant focal point for this introspective, emotive project.

Over a shimmering strummed backing, Phelan explores her own tendency to overthink, imploring with her vibrant voice: “why do I have to feel it all? / It’s all so much at once”.

Sadhbh Keane, ‘A chuisle, a chroí’

Sadhbh Keane is back with a stirring new track that pieces together the fallout of a relationship with unflinching honesty.

Blending equal parts Boygenius and Fontaines D.C., ‘A chuisle, a chroi’ [translated as ‘my pulse, my heart’] fittingly showcases the Dublin artist’s lyrical breadth and sonic ambition.

Speaking about the new tune, Keane says: “It’s about that silent moment across a room — when love is gone but the feeling still pulses”.

Deleon & Kendino, ‘RUST’ feat. Sushee

‘RUST’ is a high-energy, industrial-tinged eruption of sound that fuses 90s UK rave chaos with raw emotional vulnerability. Kendino’s intense, almost desperate vocal delivery burns through Deleon’s restless, atmospheric production, part trance, part UK garage, all catharsis.

Sushee’s smooth, haunting vocals arrive like a balm, grounding the track’s frenetic energy in soulful calm. The result is a beautifully disjointed sonic puzzle, one that shouldn’t work, but absolutely does.

Pulsing with rage, beauty, and release, 'RUST' proves that Kendino, Deleon, and Sushee aren’t just pushing boundaries, they’re rewriting the blueprint for what Irish alt-pop can sound like: visceral, wild and unmissable.

Novatone, ‘Sunny Day’

On ‘Sunny Day’, Novatone capture the daydream of escape with feel-good ease and folk-pop shimmer. Fronted by Kilkenny’s Ann Marie Walsh and Mark McCorry, the track reflects the yearning in every commuter’s heart, with wistful harmonies, breezy guitars and a melody as warm as its title.

McCorry’s inspiration – ditching the daily grind for Brittas Bay – rings through the arrangement, while Walsh’s vocals float with effortless charm. Their harmonising is the soul of the song, creating a nostalgic, sun-dappled atmosphere.

Following up February’s acclaimed 'Spotlight', ‘Sunny Day’ marks another confident step from a band blending sincerity with polish and growing momentum.

Black Opal, ‘Giving In’

On ‘Giving In,’ Belfast alt-rock four-piece Black Opal deliver a thunderous, emotionally raw cut from their debut album Divine Accusations.

Channelling the angst of 90s grunge and the weight of Metallica’s more introspective moments, the track rides on loud, crashing guitars and a rhythm section that pulls no punches.

But it’s the lyrics that give the song its bruised heart, apologetic, exposed and aching with vulnerability. “If you feel like giving in, I’ll be here waiting” becomes a refrain of both desperation and devotion. It’s a heavy, melodic anthem of emotional surrender, unpolished, unguarded and unmistakably sincere.

Just Alice, ‘good thing.’

Laois-born singer-songwriter Just Alice (Alice Laffan) returns with ‘good thing.’, a beautifully delicate Americana-rooted single released via Youngblood Music.

Seamlessly blending traditional Irish storytelling, echoes of Luke Kelly and Dougie MacLean, with the emotional precision of Joni Mitchell and Noah Kahan, Alice delivers authenticity in every lyric. Minimal instrumentation – gently picked guitar and light percussion – allows her textured, genuine voice to shine.

The track unfolds like a breath of fresh air, its narrative centred on the discovery that “a difficult choice can be a good thing.”

Madraí, ‘Turn It Around’

Madraí , the rising four-piece from Northern Ireland, return with ‘Turn It Around,’ a danceable alt-pop-rock anthem that channels the emotional rawness of early Kings of Leon with the quirky edge of Mk.Gee.

The track fuses confident drumming, technical vocals, and slick electric guitar strumming into a groove-laden pep talk for anyone feeling stuck. “It became a kind of pep talk to ourselves,” the band shares, “a reminder that even if it feels hopeless, you can fight your way back.”

With infectious riffs and tight harmonies, this energetic release proves Madraí’s growing reputation for crafting cool, cathartic singalongs is well earned.

Cardinals, ‘Big Empty Heart’

Cardinals’ latest single ‘Big Empty Heart’ is a sweeping, post-apocalyptic waltz that solidifies the Cork five-piece as one of Ireland’s most distinctive new voices.

Led by Euan Manning’s poetic lyricism and ghostly vocals, the track melds brooding trad-folk with shoegaze haze and punk-tinted melancholy. Anchored by Finn Manning’s evocative accordion and Aaron Hurley’s thudding bass, ‘Big Empty Heart’ conjures a transportive, larger-than-life sonic world — both intimate and cinematic.

Manning and the band paint pictures through their sound and it’s no surprise that Fontaines D.C., Kneecap and even Cillian Murphy count themselves as fans. This is Cardinals at their most vital and visionary.

Ahmed, With Love., ‘Bedroom Bullies’ feat. Kibo & Lil Skag

Dublin-born, Sierra Leonean rapper Ahmed, With Love. releases his new single ‘Bedroom Bullies.’

A high-octane UK rap track bursting with slick bars, fun original lyrics and infectious energy, this is the first single from his collaborative EP series Ahmed, With Friends! Volume 2, the song features UK rapper Kibo, praised by Skepta, and cult Irish rapper Lil Skag. ‘Bedroom Bullies’ combines sharp wordplay with a dynamic beat, capturing the trio’s chemistry and unique styles.

It’s a bold, vibe-heavy anthem that blends humour, intensity and raw charisma, a perfect showcase of Ahmed’s rising presence in the UK and Irish rap scenes.

 

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April, ‘TV Show’

April’s new single ‘TV Show’ is a haunting blend of dreamy melodies and raw emotional depth.

The track captures the fleeting nature of a whirlwind romance, balancing wistful nostalgia with sharp vulnerability. Gentle harmonics give way to pulsing synths that mirror the song’s emotional shifts, while April’s airy vocals navigate the blurred line between fantasy and reality.

Lyrically, it’s a poignant reflection on love’s illusions and sudden endings, delivered with subtle intensity. ‘TV Show’ is a beautifully crafted indie-pop gem that showcases April’s ability to turn intimate feelings into a vivid, relatable sonic experience.

The Florentinas, ‘The Scary Thing Is’

The Florentinas deliver a vibrant summer banger with ‘The Scary Thing Is,’ a whirlwind two-minute track bursting with energy and raw emotion.

Drawing from the excitement and uncertainty of chasing their musical dreams, the band crafts a unique blend of hook-heavy indie rock that feels fresh and chaotic in the best way.

The driving rhythm, catchy guitar riffs, and Paddy Boyd’s compelling vocals combine to create a track that’s both urgent and infectious. Released while on tour with Snow Patrol, this single perfectly captures the band’s growing confidence and dynamic live energy.

Miranda Faul, ‘Patience’

The latest single from singer-songwriter Miranda Faul is a deeply personal and cinematic folk-pop track that showcases her raw emotional vulnerability.

Produced by Cian Sweeney, the song weaves slow, dark piano melodies with delicate acoustic guitar and layered vocals, creating an immersive soundscape. Lyrically, ‘Patience’ explores the frustration of chasing fleeting thrills instead of meaningful growth, capturing the complexity of self-reflection in messy romantic cycles.

Following her successful headline tour, this single marks a powerful moment in Faul’s evolving sound, an enchanting blend of folk, pop, and soul that highlights her distinctive voice and songwriting prowess.

Morgana, 'Party Killer'

Belfast singer Morgana, previously known from the folk duo Saint Sister, has released her latest single 'Party Killer', the title track of her debut EP.

Blending Italo disco and 80s synth pop, the track has a distinctive feel to it, with a catchy melody inviting listeners to dance. Morgana's vibrant soprano carries over bright synths, creating airy atmosphere.

Despite its name and melodramatic lyrics, 'Party Killer' is anything but a killjoy; it's an upbeat electronic anthem.

Hannah Mc Fadden, 'Broken Way'

Donegal's own Hannah Mc Fadden has debuted her single 'Broken Way', a soulful track marked by warm guitar, soft vocals, and tight drums.

Produced by Philip Magee and featuring her brother Liamjoe on guitar, the song explores the emotion of holding onto a love that's fading away through poetic lyrics and a rhythmic melody.

The 21-year-old regularly performs at open mic nights at Club in Leo's Tavern and has played at Sult Féile and at The Social, Gweedore, last year.

Sarah Keane, 'One For The Team'

Mayo singer-songwriter Sarah Keane's latest single, 'One For The Team', out today, explores themes of heartache and holding on to a relationship that has run its course.

"There’s often this idea that if two people want to be together, they should do everything possible to make it work. Maybe that’s true for some, but it can also just make both of you sad!

"This song is about realising that sometimes it’s just not worth it, and someone should take 'one for the team'," Keane shared.

Accompanied by gentle piano, her powerful vocals convey the pain of severing a bond that has been stretched thin.

Known for her thoughtful songwriting, strong vocals, and intricate lyrics, Keane continues to deliver relatable music.

Fake Saint, 'Slow Burn'

Genre-blurring artist Fake Saint has blessed us with his latest release, 'Slow Burn', a bold and smoky tune featuring a rich guitar performance by Addy Maxwell of Freak Freely.

Fake Saint's raw, powerful voice is paired with vulnerable, honest lyrics that explore the complexities of the human experience.

Fake Saint commented: "This song is about wanting more than just fire. It's about wishing you could slow things down, savour the connection, and make the moment last."

The singer has performed at Electric Picnic and The Late Late Show in the past, cementing his place in the Irish music industry.

Nív, 'Mitchell's Blue'

Emerging Kildare singer-songwriter Nív tells an emotional story of lost love in her new single 'Mitchell's Blue'.

Inspired by Joni Mitchell's record 'Blue', the folk-pop ballad explores memories of a former lover and the deep regret that follows heartache. Nív delivers a dynamic piano performance, complemented by soulful guitar chords from Stephen Doohan.

“I was sitting at my piano one day, trying to look for inspiration. My Mam had bought me this beautiful book of Joni Mitchell's songs, poetry and art, and I had it sitting on top of my piano. I looked through this book and then started playing, and 'Mitchell's Blue' came out,” reveals Nív.

Síomha Hennessy, 'Unexpectedly Unfamous'

Comedian and singer Síomh Hennessy has released her new cabaret pop tune 'Unexpectedly Unfamous'.

The former half of musical duo Sisterix blends cheeky lyrics with classic elements of musical theatre, combining crisp vocals with spoken monologue. 'Unexpectedly Unfamous' tells of Hennessy's struggles trying to make a name for herself in the music industry.

Not taking herself too seriously, she said the following about her rocky road to stardom: "There's a wealth of hilarious experiences to mine from my career in the arts. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry. Building a career in the arts is not for the faint-hearted!

"Buddhist monks have nothing on me... you want to talk about ego death? Try performing in the basement of a burrito restaurant as kitchen porters ramble in and out carrying large vats of kidney beans!"

LYRA, 'Weird Club'

Shimmering synths, powerful vocals and a bold attitude mark LYRA's new single 'Weird Club', out today.

Co-written with Grammy-nominated songwriter Anna Krantz, the electric dance anthem is yet another display of LYRA's mighty sound.

The Irish pop diva is known for her advocacy for inclusion, inviting everyone to show up as their authentic selves.

“She, he, they, them—whatever your category, you’re one of us. And in my world, that means you’re iconic,” she said about 'Weird Club'.

RuthAnne, 'The Vow'

Landing on the number 1 spot on the Irish iTunes Chart and entering the UK Top 40 in 2019, RuthAnne's 'The Vow' has made quite an impact in the Irish music scene.

Now, the Grammy-nominated singer has released a reimagined version, featuring Essex vocalist Luke Burr. Their voices blend beautifully; his raw masculinity is the perfect match for her soft, yet strong, femininity.

“The Vow' has been the greatest gift and brought so many amazing moments into my life, and I’ve always wanted to record a duet version of it. "I’m obsessed with Luke’s voice, and I just knew he would sound gorgeous singing it," shared RuthAnne.

Listen to our playlist below: