New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

NewDad, ‘Roobosh’

NewDad’s 2024 debut Madra confirmed the Galway band’s status as one of the most exciting noisemakers to come from this island of late. About a year and a half later and they’ve finally announced their follow-up Altar, a record written over the past two years and “born from a period of yearning for their hometown following the band’s move to London.”

The sophomore’s lead single Altar’s lead single ‘Roobosh’ is fuzzed up, vicious, catchy and snarky in all the right places.

“I wanted to write one song for the album that allowed me to shout, to get out all my frustration,” lead singer Julie Dawson explains.

“Women get angry and we are expected to contain our rage but on this song I just allowed myself to go there. I wanted a song where I could moan and scream cause we all need to do that every once in a while and honestly it was just a bit of fun, letting myself get angry when I never allow myself to.”

GNS, ‘UNTIL YOU S4ID SORRY’

With the aid of a soft sonic soundscape, GNS’ latest DIY track delves into the pain that lingers after an apology.

As usual, the Dublin-based Malawian artist pours his heart out. The atmospheric production comprises spacey keys, reverb-rich vocals and a subtle breakbeat, creating the ideal backdrop for GNS to lament a relationship that didn’t work out, but that he didn't want to end.

Ólafur Arnalds & Talos, ‘A Dawning’

The entire Irish music scene was in mourning when Eoin French, best known as Talos, died in August 2024. A year later, and his longtime collaborator and friend, Icelandic producer Ólafur Arnalds has released this poignant posthumous record.

A Dawning serves as a deep reflection on friendship, loss, and experimentation that started as a collaboration and evolved into a profound creative bond. This is all reflected in the epic title, track, which swells with poetry, strings and melancholy.

“We made this album together,” Arnalds says. “Even after, while I was there working on some arrangements, I never felt like I was truly alone. Near the end, where we were saying how grateful we were to have met each other, he told me, ‘You know, I’m still gonna be there.’”

Dominic Angelella, ‘Set Fire to the House’

Donegal-based American musician Dominic Angelella might be familiar to some for his work as a bassist in Lucy Dacus’s band, as well as his session work with Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller.

‘Set Fire to the House’, part of a release of two new songs recorded at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny, is an irreverent electro-stomper, which starts chaotic and dark, before revealing sweet-sounding hook that’s not too far from LCD Soundsystem on the sonic map.

"These tunes were both written in songwriting workshops,” Angelella explains. ‘Set Fire’ was part of a songwriting challenge that I partook in with Chanele McGuinness and Anna B. Savage where we were tasked to write one song a day.

“It was cast aside for a possible post-punk band that may never see the light of day. THEN I was given free rein to experiment in Letterkenny's Regional Cultural Centre. The dizzying array of synths and creative head-space allowed me to take these songs down the rabbit hole a bit. I'm happy with what I found down there, and I hope you are too."

 

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Charles James & The Rise, ‘Promises’

Donegal folk-rock merchants Charles James and the Rise offer up a climactic triumph with ‘Promises’, the third single to be released ahead of their upcoming debut LP Crossing The Bar (which hits shelves and streaming services on September 12).

Through marching percussion, sparse-yet-big-sounding guitars and meditative lyrics, the band have cooked up a track that is at once sensitive and destined to be blared from a mountaintop.

“‘Promises’ is a song that’s lived with me for a long time,” says front‑man Charles James. “It runs in a similar vein to ‘Sailor’ and came from the same writing period. At its core it’s about accepting that when a relationship—of any kind—is damaged, it’s changed forever, no matter how much time tries to mend it.”

Heron Red, ‘Not All Is Fair’

Folk-duo Heron Red announce themselves in rip-roaring fashion with 'Not All Is Fair', the first single to be taken from pairing Molly Buchanan and Calum Wall’s debut EP.

The tune is brimming with glorious Waterboys influence, boasting romantic violins, driving rhythms and a tale of a friendship gone south. It’s an exciting opening salvo from the young band, who also cite a healthy retro mix of Paul Brady, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan Planxty and Dolly Parton as their influences.

Adrian Crowley & Matthew Nolan, ‘Alone’ feat. Lisa Hannigan

Claddagh Records have announced Pomes Penyeach, an album by Adrian Crowley and Matthew Nolan which reimagines a collection of 13 James Joyce poems through music.

The first track on the album, the acoustic and ethereal 'Alone', features vocals from the ever-talented Lisa Hannigan, who steps in to help Crowley and Nolan breathe new life into these eight lines of vivid nocturnal imagery and introspection from Ireland's most famous author.

 

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Mark Lyndon, 'Nocturne'

'Nocturne' is the fourth single by Co. Cork-based folk artist Mark Lyndon. Soft, warm guitars meet rich vocals in an acoustic love letter of a song directed at Lyndon's daughter. The solo acoustic number explores themes of reassurance, love, and gratitude, and exudes a sense of unhurriedness as the listener is soothed and calmed by Lyndon's voice and sparkling guitar chords.

"I originally wrote this song as a lifelong lullaby for my daughter, in the hope that she might always remember not to be too hard on herself. Life will throw enough curve balls at you, so feel free to duck a few!" said Lyndon about his new tune.

The track is featured in PUNT, a short film by director Nicky Larkin and producer Allana Ridell, set to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh later this month.

Robert Grace & Ryan Mack, 'Next To You'

Kilkenny songsmith Robert Grace and Kildare pop vocalist Ryan Mack join forces on their new summer dance anthem, 'Next To You'. Their 2024 collaboration, 'Fake Fine', was a huge success, reaching the top ten of radio hits in Ireland.

On their new track, bouncing guitar strings, rhythmic percussion, and dreamy vocals, create a catchy earworm that will have you hitting the repeat button several times.

"'Next To You is a playful, champagne-fuelled ode to reckless romance and lazy mornings. It is all about doing life your way—as long as it means waking up next to the one you can’t get enough of," said the duo.

El Rey, 'Truth And Love Against The Force Of Evil'

With his new track 'Truth And Love Against The Force Of Evil', Newry singer-songwriter El Rey delivers a powerful political comment on the current state of the world.

Rey's gritty vocals carry over stripped-back guitars, complemented by dreamy synths and airy harmonies. His intricate lyrics echo a deeper message: that the tools we all possess can be the catalyst for a revolution.

"'Truth and Love Against the Force of Evil' doesn’t demand a fight—it reminds you one is already happening, whether you noticed or not. And when the smoke clears, when the sky turns strange and familiar again, the only thing left standing might be us—if we remember who we are."

Tolü Makay, 'Become The Fire'

Irish-Nigerian singer Tolü Makay has released 'Become The Fire'—the first single of her forthcoming EP, People Still Cry In Summer.

Produced by Ben Mark Weaver and Cian Sweeney, the tune combines soaring vocals with warm instrumentation, led by a recurring mantra: "Like the stars never die, you can become the fire." An infectious beat, dreamy harmonies, and rousing lyricism make for the ultimate power anthem.

Speaking on her new song, Makay said the following: "'Become The Fire' is about resilience. About building with what’s left when everything seems broken. About choosing joy even when it feels like rebellion. We may be brought to the ground, but even then, we dig. We find water. We build. We become the fire."

As If I Always Knew, 'The Number 4'

Cork composer and virtuoso Cian Sweeney is the creative force behind As If I Always Knew—a semi-improvised piano project. His new single 'The Number 4' is part of the project's debut album Improvisations 1, which will arrive on September 10.

The song, which was recorded and shot live in a single take in his Birds of Paradise studio in Cork, is constructed using a pentatonic scale that solely uses the piano's black keys. Despite its impromptu nature, the piece flows smoothly from beginning to end, creating a unique atmospheric texture.

"This was the fourth piece we tracked when recording Improvisations 1, hence the name," explained Sweeney. "In the weeks leading up to the recording, I’d been learning Debussy’s Pagodes from his Estampes, a piece he wrote after hearing a gamelan at the World Fair in Paris in the early 1900s. That pentatonic, almost Oriental sound clearly influenced him, and through Pagodes, I think it found its way into this improvisation too."

ØXN, ‘Cruel Mother (Drokk Remix)’

Irish folk collides with dark electronica in this haunting remix of ØXN's ‘Cruel Mother’ by DROKK. The rework transforms the original into a brooding, textured soundscape, without losing the emotional gravity at its core.

Speaking about the collaboration, DROKK’s Geoff Barrow said: “We love ØXN – not just their music, but who they are as people, and what they stand for politically.” The remix features as part of a limited edition vinyl release, with all profits going to War Child, supporting children affected by global conflict. It’s a powerful blend of music and activism, amplifying both voice and cause.

Beauty Sleep, ‘BIG + BAD’

Unapologetically bold Derry duo Beauty Sleep celebrate queer joy and community empowerment with their latest release ‘BIG + BAD.’ The track’s infectious bounce, paired with razor-sharp guitar riffs, demands attention, both sonically and thematically.

Speaking about the single, Ryan McGroarty shared: “For queer people, community, feeling seen and support are everything to us. To be really ‘BIG + BAD’ is to act in defiance, to act responsibly in opposition to those harmful ideas. It is a celebration of identity, honouring the wonderful people and forces for good.”

It’s a vibrant anthem that radiates pride, defiance and deep-rooted care. Their album release show takes place on November 20 at The Belfast Empire.

This, That & The Other, ‘Solpadol Daydream’

Cork-based trio This, That & The Other deliver a dreamlike dose of shoegaze-tinged indie rock on ‘Solpadol Daydream’, taken from their debut album Fishbowl World. Fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Saoirse Millard, bassist Jose Perdomo, lead guitarist Carl Bohane and drummer Ciarán Fitzpatrick, the band explores themes of mental health, impostor syndrome and the chaos of modern life with raw authenticity.

The track stands out for its soft, swirling textures and Millard’s gentle, introspective vocals, balancing vulnerability with sonic depth. Entirely self-produced and mixed, it captures the emotional turbulence of 21st-century life through hazy soundscapes and honest lyricism, proving that DIY doesn’t mean holding back.

Cian Thomas, ‘Sky Blue’

Mullingar singer-songwriter Cian Thomas delivers a heartfelt, stripped-back folk tune with ‘Sky Blue’ – a gentle yet affecting track that lets his rich vocals take centre stage. With just acoustic guitar and voice, the song leans into country and folk influences, offering a raw and honest sound that feels both timeless and intimate.

Previously praised by Hot Press for his “undeniable vocal talent” and “expertly crafted lyrics,” Thomas continues to live up to the acclaim. ‘Sky Blue ' is light in sound but heavy in emotion, lingering long after the song ends. It’s a warm, authentic lament, deeply resonant in its delivery.

 

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Go Bury Your Monsters, ‘Deliver For You’

Spanning Ireland, Spain and Italy, alternative outfit Go Bury Your Monsters (GBYM) return with ‘Deliver For You’ – a synth-soaked, emotionally charged track that showcases their cinematic edge. Set amongst silky slide guitars, hypnotic soundscapes and a pounding rhythm section, the band layers heartfelt vocals with searing guitar and airy keyboards to create a sound both expansive and intimate.

This marks the fourth and final single from their upcoming EP Body Language, and it’s one that carries GBYM’s sonic signature with conviction. Sweeping, textured and deeply felt, ‘Deliver For You’ is a captivating glimpse of what’s to come.

Blue Slate, ‘Melody In Melancholy’

Kildare rock quartet Blue Slate deliver a powerful, emotionally charged performance on “Melody in Melancholy”. It’s a track that captures the raw intensity of their live sound while threading in moments of melodic nuance and emotional clarity. Driven by biting guitar hooks, thunderous drums and grounding bass, the song pairs gritty, gravelly vocals with piercing lyricism.

Speaking about the track, the band explains: “The song itself is a reflection on how we can sell ourselves to different things, whether that be to people or substance. The lyrics are based around questioning the reason we always go back to someone or something that has harmed us in one way or another, attempting to figure out if it's due to hatred or due to comfort.”

donny., ‘dreemr’

Galway-based artist donny. returns with a visceral new track. A gritty collaboration with Filmore that pairs distorted guitar riffs with a booming beat, it’s a perfectly charged arrangement for a release steeped in angst and defiance.

Speaking about the song, donny. said: “To be completely honest, I wrote this song to let off steam. It's very angry. From my perspective, it was created to confront my dissatisfaction with how people have perceived me in the past, as well as how I have viewed myself at times.”

Catch donny. live at Whelan’s, Dublin on July 19.

Poor Creature, ‘Bury Me Not’

Hailing from Poor Creature’s new album All Smiles Tonight, out now, ‘Bury Me Not’ is an ominous, transporting and yet strangely comforting track of airy vocals, and minimal yet powerful instrumentals giving the track a gauzy, underwater, almost psychedelic feel.

Speaking of the track, the band said:“This song is about a young sailor whose dying wish (not to be buried at sea) is ignored. Written in 1839, and originally titled The Ocean Buried, our rendition comes from a mingling of different versions, including the cowboy version, Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie”

thanks mom, ‘Graces Passport’

Described as “the happiest thanks mom tune ever written,” ‘Graces Passport attempts to capture “the warm yet confusing emotions that arise when you're simply trying to be the best version of yourself for someone else, only to become an exaggerated and awkward version of who you are.”

With chaotic and noisy guitars, complete with train-of-thoughts lyrics reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions that come with fixating on somebody, further cementing thanks mom was one of the most fun, raw, loud and talented bands of the current scene.

Catriona Ní Ghribín, ‘Amhrán na Réabhlóide’

Vocalist and piano accordionist Catriona Ní Ghribín releases 'Amhrán na Réabhlóide', a bold and unsettling protest song that blends traditional sounds with experimental textures. Borrowing the melody from a Christian folk-hymn, 'We Are One in the Spirit', with the lyrics ‘Siúlaimid uilig le chéile’ / ‘we all walk together’ repurposed as a revolutionary mantra.

 

Frowning Hours, ‘Diamond Days’

Frowning Hours, the dynamic Indie Folk/Rock project created by Ger Kelly, have released ‘Diamond Days’, a powerful track exploring the complex interplay between codependency and addiction, shedding light on the chaos that inevitably follows. It captures the heart-wrenching experience of watching someone spiral into self-destruction while remaining blissfully unaware that they are treading the same treacherous path.

"I wrote 'Diamond Days' back in 2017 while I was between acting jobs,” Kelly comments, “which left me in a state of uncertainty. During that time, I found it hard to stay still, racing around both emotionally and physically, often losing myself in revelry. The song emerged on an acoustic guitar as I sat on the side of my bed. It was the first time I thought, 'This song needs a full band and distortion to truly capture the feeling of chaos.' I believe the band captured that essence very well."

 

STRAND, ‘Strange Hill’

Irish indie- rock band STRAND have released the riff driven new single 'Strange Hill'. Lined with catchy hooks, poppy rhythms and soaring choruses. 'Strange Hill' undeniably represents STRAND - guitar-pop in its most refined form.

“'Strange Hill is a song about being stubborn - knowing something is wrong but but being willing to die on that hill for no apparent reason. It’s nearly a human universal, that individual experience of intransigence that everyone goes through, in one way or another.”

“The opening riff came first, and the song formed around that. It’s far from complex, but the bells and whistles we added in the studio with our producer Keelan really made the song shine. We were nearly overcome with joy hearing the final mix, it felt like a real accomplishment, mixed with some relief that we had something to follow our EP with so soon.'”

 

Mary Coughlan, ‘Lumberjack’ feat. Ultan Conlon

Mary Coughlan teams up with acclaimed singer-songwriter Ultan Conlon on the striking new single ‘Lumberjack’. A dusky, slow burning duet, the track blends folk melodies with jazz undertones, creating a moody and intimate atmosphere that is deeply personal.

Mary says: "The first time I heard Ultan singing the song, it broke my heart. My granddaughter said it was more beautiful than a unicorn singing! I asked Ultan if I could sing it — and he asked me for a gig!”

Belters Only, ‘I Love You’

Coming fresh off the heels of their packed-out Longitude set last Saturday, irish electronic duo Belters Only are returning with their brilliantly danceable new single ‘I Love You’, a bright and summery club anthem, both sweet and incredibly catchy, with easy to sing along vocals and perfectly measured, light-hearted production.

Kingfishr, 'Next To Me'

Ahead of their highly anticipated debut album Halcyon, folk group Kingfishr have today released their new tune, 'Next To Me'.

Edmond Keogh's warm, rich vocals blend beautifully with sweet harmonies, carrying over harmonicas and soft guitars. Add Kingfisher's signature poignant lyricism, and you get the perfect romantic anthem, made for a swaying slow dance with your lover.

"The songs were written in a small kitchen where generations of farmers became singers and storytellers when the work was done," said the trio about their forthcoming record. "The name 'Halcyon' is a nod to the landscape and heritage that has moulded our music, even though the songs don’t all come from a happy or peaceful place."

Just Mikey, 'Good Vibes'

Dublin independent artist Just Mikey has released his latest track, 'Good Vibes', a powerful tribute to his sister Elisa.

Exploring themes of gratitude, transience, and grief, Just Mikey's smooth flow carries over vibey beats, creating an atmospheric soundscape comparable to Mac Miller.

"I wrote it long before I lost my sister Elisa," he explained. "But when grief came knocking, the song took on a whole new weight. In the middle of that pain, I did what I always do: I created. I stitched together clips and tried to make peace with the silence she left behind. It’s not just a song. It’s a reflection, a tribute, and a reminder: Hold on to the good days. While you still have them."

Paul Doran, 'In Palestine' feat. Sharon Shannon and Ger O'Donnell

Irish singer-songwriter Paul Doran has teamed up with accordionist Sharon Shannon and multi-instrumentalist Ger O'Donnell for their powerful track 'In Palestine' (a song for Gaza).

Mellow piano notes blend with Doran's soothing vocals, complemented beautifully by rich guitars, a crisp accordion performance by Shannon and dreamy harmonies. Although tinged with sadness, the piece tells the story of "a star in Palestine," reminding us that hope prevails.

Proceeds from 'In Palestine' will go to Gaza Go Bragh, who provide desperately needed essentials to the displaced people of Gaza. The tune has been described as "beautiful and moving" by Irish folk singer Christy Moore as well as English singer-songwriter Paul Weller.

Listen to our playlist below: