New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Pebbledash, ‘Cartography’

The Cork risers have unveiled another electrifying single as the follow-up to their previous offering, ‘Asha’s Waltz’.

‘Cartography’ finds Pebbledash consulting a range of influences, including Stereolab and Neu!, while maintaining the band’s central core of sonic chaos. With lacquered layers of drones and feedback, the track builds to an anthemic crescendo of strings and wires.

“The song takes the point of view of a day I spent in Berlin where I couldn't shake this anxious feeling I was having all day but couldn't quite understand why or where it was coming from,” says lyricist Fionnbharr Hickey, “so there's imagery of that as well as to some artists I was listening to at the time as I always found music to be a great distraction when I felt like this.

“After deciding I didn't want this song to sound morose or sad even though the material signifies a difficult time for me, I wrote the guitar parts using an alternate tuning I liked at the time and one that felt uplifting and adventurous. I also wanted to write something I could picture people dancing to in their bedrooms or kitchens”.

Pebbledash. Photo credit: moreen Kamdem

Pedestrian Traffic, ‘Sister Mysterious’

Pedestrian Traffic introduce themselves to the Irish music scene with the rollicking debut single ‘Sister Mysterious’.

Pulling from a vast array of influences, including Bowie and The Stone Roses, this earworm of a track sees the band reflect on their upbringing in the Ballymun flats.

‘Sister Mysterious’ is quite the song to behold, pedalling ska-punk basslines, no-nonsense drum fills and heavy-on-heart lyrics that populate the track’s electrifying soundscape.

Pedestrian Traffic

LARAbEL, ‘WESTCOAST’

The Donegal native serves up a shimmering pop number with her latest single ‘WESTCOAST’.

Over a sunlit instrumental, the track sees LARAbEL reliving a summer love and exploring the self-discovery that comes with finding one's path in life.

“Choosing the balloon—the meaning of life, the hopefulness—takes hard inward work, and ‘WESTCOAST’ is about that feeling, contrasted with a light, fun pop song,” the artist says of the track. “Because that's the manner in which you dealt with the heaviness: with a fun, carefree summer to distract you from yourself”.

LARAbEL

Physique, ‘Soft Options’

Physique have unleashed their second album, Bright Lights, L’ il City, recorded over the past three years between Chicago, Kilkenny, Cork and Glasgow.

Album standout ‘Soft Options’ finds the duo — Neil Quigley and Sam Scranton — traversing a soundscape of shimmering lo-fi resplendence.

With psychedelic synth swirls and minimalist pitched percussion, ‘Soft Options’ sounds best on a late night drive in the summer with the windows rolled down, the sunset in the rearview.

MothMom, 'Forever'

Dublin-based indie rockers MothMom return, this time with  guitarist and occasional songwriter Eoghan Leahy at the helm. With its fuzzed up guitars and dryly-delivered poetry, 'Forever' is a slacker-rock gem which offers a fine taste of what's to come from their soon-to-be-released EP Point Pleasant.

The story goes that the Leahy originally wrote the track on an acoustic guitar as a teenager, with the song lingering in his mind for years. Lauren O’Hare immediately recognised its place in MothMom’s discography, providing her sweet backing vocals to bring the tune to life in its final, electric form.

MothMom

Christopher Hockey, 'Turn My Back'

After spending the last year writing and collaborating with local artists to create his debut album, indie-folkster Christopher Hockey shares the project's lead single, ' Turn My Back'. Recorded in the heart of Cork City and written during a time of change in the songwriter's life, the vulnerable, Elliot Smith-evoking tune, artfully illustrates the complexities of faith and life through the eyes of a twenty-something-year-old living in Ireland.

Hear it for yourself. The acoustic guitars and swelling strings in the background, as well his tempered vocals, create an worldly atmosphere, and give the impression that Hockey is a songwriter experienced beyond his years.

Christopher Hockey.

Tom Cahalane, 'Clouds'

Corkonian songwriter Tom Cahalane's second single 'Clouds' is a delicate folk delight; opening with fingerpicked guitar before his measured, calming voice tells a candid tale of searching for acceptance. There's some evidence of Frames influence, though his distinct accent helps Calahane make clear that he's his own thing.

“I wrote the song about a challenging family relationship when I was a teenager” he says, “I’d spend a lot of time in the park by my house, thinking and worrying, to be honest. I would always look for approval from outside sources, even though I know that I don’t really need it. 'Clouds' is a bit of a reminder of that for me”.

Tom Cahalne by Ian Gubbins

Fiona Tyndall, ‘Oró Mó Bhaidín’ feat. Brendan Hayes

Clare's own Fiona Tyndall has released her new song 'Óró Mó Bhaidín', the third single from her forthcoming full Irish-language album, Éinin an Cheóil.

Translating to "My Little Boat", the song explores the delight of a man out on the water in his small traditional fishing boat, known as a "currach". The children's lullaby was written during the Gaelic Revival and was attributed to Padraig Pearse, Tomas Ó Colmáin, and Colm O'Lochlainn.

Tyndall's beautiful vocals and harmonies on the tune are accompanied by warm piano, bass, and backup vocals by Brendan Hayes. Seemingly taking you on the voyage, her soprano washes over you, as if the sea and wind itself were embracing you.

Fiona Tyndall.

Dystopian Novels, ‘Within Without’

Irish alternative rock project Dystopian Novels have shared their euphoric new track 'Within Without', delving into dark cinematic textures. Dystopian Novels is the solo project of Kieran Ring, the creative mind behind indie rock group Neon Atlas.

A mix of post-rock elements, broody synths, and intricate lyricism creates a soundscape that is both experimental and dynamic. The track explores a moment of realisation and finding a new sense of freedom.

Overlain by groovy, mellow male vocals, the tune plays with varying tempos and volume, ending in a poignant crescendo.

Doubting., ‘Ruin’

'Ruin' is the newest single from Dublin emo band Doubting., a broody blend of emo, indie pop, and alternative metal.

Painting the scene of a cloudy nightmare, the track explores themes of nostalgia, inherited trauma, and the burden of failed expectations. Mixed and mastered by Conor O’Boyle, 'Ruin' features a meditative chorus, crowned by an explosive and chaotic climax.

Vocals and guitars by Leon Bird Morgan blend beautifully with smooth transitions and fills by drummer Daniel O’Driscoll, perfectly complemented by Kate O'Driscoll's punchy bass performance.

Doubting. Photo by Dearbhla Cunnion.

Lex Bucha, ‘Back & Forth’

Irish pop singer Lex Bucha explores themes of uncertain love, insecurity, and anxiety in his melancholic yet energetic new tune, 'Back & Forth'.

Posing the question "Do you think I am good to be around?" the song seems to open the door to Bucha's most vulnerable inner thoughts.

Upbeat drums meet gloomy lyrics and dreamy vocals, creating a dynamic soundscape that is both animated and sombre. Bucha's vocal harmonies reflect the haunt of a romance that is balancing on a tight rope.

Lex Bucha.

J Ryan, ‘Coffee at 8’

Dublin-based singer-songwriter J Ryan pays tribute to his father in his groovy new single, 'Coffee at 8'.

His enthralling vocals, paired with groovy guitars and vivid lyricism, make for a catchy tune that tells the story of a loving father and son duo.

"This song, 'Coffee at 8', is about me spending time with my dad. Dad would collect his wages in town on a Friday morning; many times he would bring me with him, which would be the highlight of my week; the day off school would also help," J Ryan said about the single.

"We would always end up in Bewley's Cafe on Georges Street, Dublin; he'd have his coffee and cake, I'd have my Coke and cake, and I'd tell him everything I wished I could be and eventually would be," he added.

J Ryan.

Aboutmeemo, ‘Overwhelmed’

Mimmo Ripa, the musician behind the solo project Aboutmeemo, shares his new tune, 'Overwhelmed', a vulnerable account of his final days in his Connemara home.

Inspired by indie and alternative rock, as well as American folk rock, the song is a stream of realisations by a narrator who is trying to find his way. Giving his vocals space to unfold and breathe, guitars and drums are deliberately stripped back.

The recurring mantra, "Every single thing it matters", is woven into a stream of backing vocals, whispers, and consciously placed beats and pauses; all elements carry the weight of a man facing his inner battles.

Aboutmeemo.

Sweet Jayne & Tarzaan, ‘Stars & Stripes’

Fresh from a performance at Glastonbury Festival, Sweet Jayne & Tarzaan share their new folky track, 'Stars & Stripes'.

The genre-blending folk trio is led by violinist and singer Jayne Pomplas, dealing in a sound inspired by Irish trad music and global influences.

Crisp, dynamic violins meet Pomplas' sweet, airy vocals, complemented by a soulful guitar performance by Finn O'Reilly. Featuring elements of country, the tune has a raw and nostalgic feel, with intricate lyrics that comment on contemporary American struggles.

Sweet Jayne & Tarzaan.

For Those I Love, ‘No Scheme’

For Those I Love have released their newest single, 'No Scheme', ahead of their upcoming second album, Carving The Stone, out August 8 via September Recordings.

The track is a sharp criticism of modern life; themes of hedonism and self-destructiveness stand in stark contrast with the numbness felt in the corporate world and on social media.

Spoken word, reverb, and electronic synths blend together to form a haunting soundscape, slowly building to an emotional climax.

"'No Scheme' is the spiritual successor to 'Top Scheme', the only track on the new album with a direct link to the old. It trades some of its anger for despondency and its rage for reflection while never fully leaving that original fire behind. Like much of the album it comes from, whenever it points the finger outwardly, it points it back inwardly too. Hypocrisy, complacency, and culpability are all present, but so too is a search for justice or meaning in an increasingly confusing time," said Dublin producer and songwriter David Balfe, the creative force behind For Those I Love.

FOR THOSE I LOVE. Photo credit Rich Gilligan.

Listen to our playlist below