New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

CMAT, ‘The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station’

In one of the most anticipated album rollouts of the year, CMAT has unleashed the third taster from her forthcoming record EURO-COUNTRY.

With propulsive drum breaks and electrifying riffage, ‘The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station’ is a raucous tongue-in-cheek diss track about the celebrity chef that brazenly conveys the futility of hatred as CMAT delivers theatrical lines over vibrant instrumentation.

The build-up leads to a massive, clamorous finale in classic CMAT cathartic fashion. A song that demands repeat listening, preferably while bombing down the motorway at a questionable speed.

Just Mustard, ‘POLYANNA’

As if this summer couldn’t get any better, Just Mustard announced their highly-anticipated return this week with new single ‘POLYANNA’.

A thrilling collision of warped guitars, submerged beats and ethereal vocals from frontwoman Katie Ball, the track pedals a wired disorientation, while also embracing a new sense of directness and melody.

The Cure frontman Robert Smith has already given the track a thumbs up on X, after the band supported them on tour over the last few years. ‘POLYANNA’ marks the band’s first release since their lauded 2022 LP Heart Under.

Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies, ‘Johnny Turpentine’

Lauded Limerick outfit Post Punk Podge & The Technohippies return with a raucous new EP TECHNOHIPPIES ACTIVATE.

The second track ‘Johnny Turpentine’ is a dizzying focal point, with plugged-in riffage and a punk pulse to drive an illusion of endless ascension.

Like a freight train of reality crashing through, ‘Johnny Turpentine’ taps into that same pure electric current where you can tell their antenna is picking up frequencies that most bands only dream of tapping into.

JC Stewart, ‘Mirages’

With sparsely-appointed keys and a heart-rending melody, track eight from JC Stewart’s debut album Space Hurts is a wonder of plaintive pop soundscapes.

‘Mirages’ sees the Derry singer-songwriter channel the likes of Lewis Capaldi and Dermot Kennedy, the end-result providing listeners with the perfect addition to any tear-jerker playlist.

On the whole, the album sees Stewart taking his sound in a bold new direction, with more polish and sonic maturity than ever. A wonderful offering.

SELLO, ‘Sell Out’

By turns magnetic and kinetic, track nine from SELLO’s latest mixtape SELLÓUT is an immediately infectious offering.

On ‘Sell Out’, the Dublin rapper returns to the palette that’s worked for him so far: skittering basslines that flicker with technicolour richness and dizzy 2-step drum programming. Atop these twisted structures, SELLO reflects: “They callin’ me the sellout but I don’t care/ ‘cos my show’s sell out/ so don’t compare”.

Kez, ‘In The Arms’

Dublin artist Kez returns with the lush new tune ‘In The Arms’.

Drawing inspiration from Ludwig Göransson’s soundtrack to Oppenheimer, the track boasts a subtle intensity through scintillating synth flourishes and a moody piano melody.

Speaking about the track, Kez offers: “This track, like a lot of my music, deals with falling apart. I guess I’ve always felt this sense of disintegration quite strongly – maybe it’s just my anxiety but I always have this sense that everything could just unravel at any moment…I’m trying to get more comfortable with the idea of collapse”.

Little Known, ‘The Richest Man’

Cork indie-rock risers Little Known have unveiled a new riffage-ridden track as an homage to their late friend.

‘The Richest Man’ pedals a mesmeric soundscape, blending heavy, atmospheric guitars with dynamic vocals and a propulsive rhythm section.

“'The Richest Man’ is a song written for and dedicated to our friend Billy who passed away in November 2023,” the band explain. “It started as an instrumental which was played at his funeral and it turned into a way of processing the loss through writing the lyrics for the song.”

Florence Road, ‘Hand Me Downs

The opener to Florence Road’s highly anticipated debut EP Fall Back, ‘Hand Me Downs’ is a reflective, emotional and yet explosive track juxtaposing light guitar ballad melodies with heavy and riotous choruses, highlighting the powerfully moving quality of the band’s songwriting and the vast range of Lily Aron's vocal performance.

Asophonics, ‘Colours Keep Changing’

Indie duo Asophonics return with their beautifully immersive new single ‘Colours Keep Changing’, a track which captures “the quiet rhythm of change” through warm, full-bodied productions and intimate textures, reflecting on life’s subtle shifts.

“It’s about those stretches of time where everything around you keeps changing, but you keep showing up,” Sophia comments. “You don’t always know what’ for, but you do.”

Ocean Tisdall, ‘Sugar In His Tea’

Irish alt-pop artist Ocean Tisdall make a raw and emotional return with his new single ‘Sugar in His Tea’, a tune when the singer’s rich vocals take centre-stage, guiding listeners through an emotional journey that is both intimate and universal, capturing the beauty of heavy emotion.

Owen Rua, ‘The Simple Things’

Summery, bouncy and delightful joyful, Owen Rua’s new single ‘The Simple Things’ is an ode to easy pleasures, lined with incredibly warm and boisterous instrumentation which perfectly compliment the richness of the singer’s vocal, making for an enticing return for Rua, who marks his first release since 2023.

Christy Moore, ‘Music to Our Ears’

Christy Moore pays tribute to President Michael D. Higgins with ‘Music to Our Ears’, a spoken word poem written by poet Johnny Broderick, celebrating the life and legacy of the President in the last year of his tenure. The reflective and deeply moving track is also set to feature on the extended edition of Christy's No.1 album A Terrible Beauty.

Sister Ghost, ‘Drain You’

Reflective, transporting and powerful, Sister Ghost’s ‘Drain You’ and its breathless bass lines and sultry, reverbed guitar melodies, make for the perfect accompaniment to a vocal performance which oscillates between all-encompassing emotions of combativeness and heartache.

Nimino, Maverick Sabre, ‘Beside of Me’

Nimino and Maverick Sabre join forces on the reflective electronic tune ‘Beside of Me’, where soulful and honey-rich vocals meet innovatively powerful and contemplative production, without losing any of its catchyness, thanks to distinctive synth melodies, layered samples and bouncy beats.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ｎｉｍｉｎｏ (@niminomusic)

how r u, 'Come back to me'

In his third album, Come Back to Me, how r u creates an intimate passage through the repercussions of a breakup. Released via Mighty Good Leader, his new record tells a compelling story, navigating through the initial stages of pain and grief, with a light awaiting at the end of the tunnel.

Scarce instrumentation and an intentionally raw production create an intimate and reflective listening experience, daring the audience to delve into their feels. The record's title track is an ambient tune laced with warm, buttery guitars joined by relaxed drums, enhancing the spaciousness of the groove.

“I wanted to explore further how to create a feeling without singing lyrics, to go on a journey of self-reflection with just sounds and melodies that draw your mind to a nostalgic place that doesn’t quite exist," explains how r u. "I’ve become a bit obsessed with finding comfort in the idea of liminal spaces, or music that creates an uneasy liminal feeling, making us feel between two different places or states – the in-between of waking and sleeping."

Matt Benson, 'Broken Masterpiece'

Matt Benson has released his latest single, 'Broken Masterpiece', ahead of his debut album, Sit Back Down Again, set to release on July 11. The Rostrevor trombone player has been in George Ezra’s band since 2017 and has played with the likes of Bad Manners, The Pogues, and Neil Hannon.

Benson's new track tells the story of a supernatural figure waiting beneath a tree for the grown-up child to climb down. Groovy acoustic bass meets deep vocals, accompanied by a grand piano and tight drums, creating a mischievous atmosphere.

"I like to play with the idea that the childhood monsters I talked myself out of believing in were actually real all along, as expressed in the song’s hook: it's not what you believe; it’s what believes in you. This is my favourite song from the album," said Benson.

Nerves, 'Takes A Second'

Following their 2024 debut EP, Glórach, Nerves have released their second single, 'Takes A Second', on June 18. The West Ireland four-piece deal in experimental noise punk and have built a reputation as "one of the most deafening and brutal bands Ireland has to offer."

Their new track draws inspiration from noise rock and electronic music, creating a dark and intense atmospheric soundscape. Violently ripped guitar chords, paired with aggressive screams, evoke a sense of chaos and unease. For a few breaths there is a brief interval, but the song quickly returns to its utter mayhem of savage sounds.

Frontman Kyle Thornton describes the song as "the death knell of a romantic relationship – the acceptance that the bond now exists on borrowed time".

Far Caspian, 'Autofiction'

Far Caspian's Joel Johnston has released the title track of his forthcoming album Autofiction, out July 25 via his own label Tiny Library Records.

Soft female background vocals and velvety guitar strings combine to create a romantic harmony in this light and airy song. 'Autofiction', like many other songs on his new record, is a love ballad to Johnston's partner.

When the singer was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2021, he struggled to come to terms with his new reality. His new album echoes his decision to live in optimism rather than fear and simply enjoy the journey.

"I’m trying to not even make sense of it all, but just live in it and be grateful for the things I do have. The fact that I was less self-critical and worried about others' opinions – I think that’s why the lyrics became more straightforward. I didn’t feel the need to dress them up or hide behind something."

Jessica Brett, 'Hotter Than Hell'

Emerging Tipperary pop artist Jessica Brett has released her new single 'Hotter Than Hell'. Brett's tune combines pop and R&B elements, citing songs by artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa as inspiration.

Smooth reverb guitars and an electronic beat support Brett's silky, seductive vocals, creating a summer night dance bop. Combining sizzling temptation with angelic charm, the song captures 'the thrill of falling in love'.

Quoting the lyrics of her new tune, Brett told listeners to expect a fiery atmosphere: "'Baby those genes, you got them from your daddy I believe'. Caution - 'Hotter Than Hell' contains sass and sauce!".

Joy Crookes, 'Perfect Crime'

Ahead of her second album, Juniper, Irish/Bangladeshi singer Joy Crookes has released her new single, 'Perfect Crime', a pep talk to herself.

Joining forces with producer Harvey Grant, the tune is a metaphor for a Western movie standoff.
Crookes smooth vocals carry over a steady beat, supported by light-hearted backing vocals. Assuring herself that she's a killer, Crookes provides a gruesome, yet groovy, plan of action.

"'Perfect Crime' is written about that scary bit of time just before you go back into the dating world, and you need to just bite the bullet and dive into something," said the London-based singer. "It’s kind of like my version of a mantra or doing positive affirmations in the mirror… This song is basically me giving myself a pep talk."

SHEE, 'Funk Forever'

Kerry electro groover SHEE has shared his latest energetic house tune, 'Funk Forever'. The driving, brisk tempo, paired with a deep bassline and groovy synths, makes for an ideal dance anthem.

SHEE is one of the most exciting emerging electronic artists and has performed at Sionna Festival and Coors' The Big Chill in 2024.

The groovesmith said he was "absolutely over the moon" to finally have his track out, sending "big love to everyone that has supported the track over the last year".

Ways of Seeing, ‘USA 94’

Ways of Seeing’s latest single ‘USA ’94’ is a brooding, melancholic alt-rock track that blends evocative spoken-word lyricism with a tight, urgent instrumental undercurrent.

Hailing from Cork, the four-piece channel a raw energy reminiscent of early Fontaines D.C., while carving out their own unique sonic identity. There’s also a clear parallel to English Teacher in the way the band melds indie-prog sensibilities with angular rock textures.

Taken from their upcoming sophomore album The Inheritance of Fear (out September 26), the track was produced by Christian Best and mixed by Dan Fox (Gilla Band). As Whipping Boy’s Paul Page aptly put it, Ways of Seeing are “a band to watch”,  and ‘USA ’94’ proves exactly why.

The Fynches, ‘Heavy’

Anchored by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo’s aching vocals and diaristic lyrics, the Fynches’ new single ‘Heavy’ lives up to its name, a heart-wrenching, slow-burning folk-rock elegy that unfolds with emotional precision.

The track begins in bare acoustic sorrow before blooming into sweeping, near-orchestral intensity. Julia-Maria’s cello strains cut deep, while Camryn Teehan’s drumming and Fionn O’Neill’s bass arrive with cathartic force.

It’s a masterclass in dynamic control, soft strums and tragic harmonies erupting into a cinematic wall of sound. With their debut album The Fynches set for release this October, this Irish five-piece have delivered a beautiful introduction that demands attention.

Seán McComish, ‘BLACKOUT’

Seán McComish turns up the heat with ‘BLACKOUT’, a funk-pop firestarter primed for summer dominance.

Released today, the track is a groove-laden, dancefloor-ready banger built around a hypnotic guitar riff that morphed into its infectious vocal hook. McComish’s smooth production blends sleek basslines from Eoin McComish and Darren Bradley’s punchy four-to-the-floor drumming into a tight package.

“It came together faster than any song I’ve done,” said the singer, “The track was recorded, produced and mixed by myself, and I absolutely believe that it's my best mixing and production work to date!”

Charles James and the Rise ‘ Wide Awake’

Donegal-based folk group Charles James & The Rise have released their latest single, ‘Wide Awake.’

The track is a dark, atmospheric exploration of insomnia’s quiet torment and sets the stage for their debut album, due in September 2025.

Known for their haunting folk melodies and rich choral textures, the band continues to craft deeply cinematic soundscapes. ‘Wide Awake’ shifts focus inward, capturing the surreal and restless experience of lying awake during long, sleepless nights.

It’s a confident and original work from a group that continue to rise and shine with every new release.

Graham Smyth ‘Kalimbarama (For Sleeping)’

Graham Smyth’s new single, ‘Kalimbarama (For Sleeping)’, offers a serene and immersive listening experience that perfectly encapsulates the soothing ethos of his forthcoming debut album, Music For Babies To Rave And Sleep To.

The track gently nods to the ambient legacies of Hiroshi Yoshimura and Brian Eno, embracing their meditative soundscapes while infusing a tender, childlike simplicity.

From the very first notes, ‘Kalimbarama (For Sleeping)’ creates a hypnotic atmosphere, where the world seems to slow down. The looping melodies and time-stretched plucks envelop the listener in a warm, lush sonic environment, evoking a sense of calm and introspection.

Rossi., Jazzy, ‘High On Me’

Rossi. and Jazzy come together for a dancefloor-ready anthem with ‘High On Me’, a sleek, euphoric track that effortlessly balances dreamy atmosphere with body-moving beats.

It’s a collaboration that fuses the best of both artists: Jazzy’s infectious energy and club sensibility meet Rossi’s polished production in a way that feels both effortless and electric.

Jazzy brings her signature vibey rhythms, while Rossi ensures every sound is precisely placed. The beat never overwhelms; instead, it supports the vocal lines with a subtle confidence. The chemistry is palpable.

Listen to our playlist on Spotify: