New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Alpine Skies, 'Walls'

Dublin-based duo Alpine Skies return with their second single to date, ‘Walls’ – a powerful alternative-rock offering that places the value of memories at its emotional core. Cinematic in scope and rich in texture, it blends raw, emotive lyricism with expansive, atmospheric soundscapes. The chemistry between the pair is undeniable, with tight, cohesive instrumentation and commanding vocals anchoring the track’s drive.

“The overall style is one of a relentless drive to cling on to those possibilities,” explains lead vocalist Kevin Homan. “Listening to, and experimenting with alternate tunings at home during the writing process, allowed the whole structure of ‘Walls’ to take shape.”

Stepping On Lego, 'Teen in the Eighties'

Mayo-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Conor Waters – the creative force behind Stepping On Lego - delivers a genre-blurring alt-pop gem with ‘Teen in the Eighties’, the latest single ahead of his upcoming debut LP Wide Eyes, out September 12. Atmospheric and immersive, the track wraps itself around you with lush synths, shimmering guitars and an irresistible chorus that lingers long after the final note. “The track captures the ache for authenticity in an age of curated illusions. It’s both a throwback and a protest, inviting listeners to reclaim something real amid the noise,” explains Waters.

Retro-futuristic in sound yet emotionally rooted in the present, expect to have it on repeat.

Delush, 'Long Way Down'

Delush are carving out their place in Ireland’s indie rock scene with ‘Long Way Down’, a gritty, guitar-driven anthem that oozes 90s nostalgia. The track seamlessly blends dreamy basslines with tight, punchy drums, setting the stage for the raw, textured guitar. Think early Britpop grit meets the modern urgency of bands like Fontaines D.C. The chorus builds into a chant-like hook, one that’s truly built for sweaty rooms and shouted sing-alongs, which makes it easy to imagine this one going off live. And you won’t have to wait long, catch them this Saturday at Courtney’s Bar, Killarney and Grand Social, Dublin on August 14.

For Those I Love, 'The Ox / The Afters'

For Those I Love, the brainchild of Dublin artist David Balfe, returns with ‘The Ox / The Afters’, a stirring cut from his just-released second album Carving the Stone. Where his debut dealt with intimate grief, Balfe’s new material broadens its scope by targeting the systemic forces eroding working-class life in Ireland. Set against a backdrop of pounding drums, jagged guitar lines, soaring strings and euphoric synths, ‘The Ox / The Afters’ is emotionally raw and politically sharp. Whether half-rapping or half-sobbing, Balfe’s voice crackles with urgency as he confronts the crushing realities of rent hikes, debt, and cultural decay: "a strangling of a city and a generation," as he puts it. Catch him live at Electric Picnic, Stradbally on August 30.

LARAbEL, ‘WashItAllAway’

From her debut EP Squiggle, out today, LARAbEL’s ‘WashItAllAway’ is a serene, transportive moment from an artist unafraid to bare her soul. “All five tracks are deeply personal journeys. You are essentially reading my diary,” she says of the record. “It is a responsibility to be introspective, to not weigh others down with my burdens, the necessity for healing and growing up.” That openness flows through ‘WashItAllAway’, a song that invites you to close your eyes and drift. Her mesmerising vocals glide over soft guitar lines and delicate, airy drums, creating a soundscape that’s dreamy, ethereal and brimming with quiet peace. It’s an intimate listen that lingers long after the final note.

Neosupervital, ‘Factory Presets (Def Nettle Remix)’

A chance dog-walking encounter sparked this inspired collaboration between Def Nettle and Neosupervital (a.k.a. Tim O’Donovan), resulting in a psychedelic pop-funk reimagining of the latter’s classy original single. On ‘Factory Presets (Def Nettle Remix)’, Brady steers the track toward the indie-dance/post-punk dance floor, injecting it with a raw, celebratory energy that nods to the best of Soulwax’s remix catalogue without feeling derivative. Ely Siegel’s fluid, funky bassline ties the whole thing together, giving the production a quirky, joyful lift. The result? A groove-laden cut that’s as stylish as it is infectious, one that’s bound to get your head nodding.

Nice Celine, ‘Okay’

Irish rapper Nice Celine has unveiled ‘Okay’, a no-nonsense, high-gloss anthem for women who know exactly who they are and what they bring to the table. Mixing swagger with substance, it’s a melodic flex steeped in cool confidence, underpinned by her signature lyrical wit. “This one’s for the Boss Babes,” Celine said. “It’s about knowing your worth and never settling for less just because someone shows up with a little flash. Nine times out of ten, we already own what they’re offering – and we’re not that easy to impress.” Built on gorgeous piano layers and driven by Celine’s flawlessly confident rapping, ‘Okay’ flows with rhythm, charm and razor-sharp delivery. It’s truly a statement track from an artist who knows exactly how to command the room.

Youngiz, ‘JAY-Z’

Gritty, raw, and unapologetically personal, ‘JAY-Z’ sees Youngiz nod to the hit rapper while boldly carving his own lane. Written during a game-changing trip to New York City, the track fuses street-level wisdom with a cinematic sense of scale – vulnerability laced with venom, swagger sharpened by soul. Emotionally charged and creatively untamed, Youngiz isn’t interested in fitting into any mould; he’s breaking it entirely. His music doesn’t just land; it lingers, weaving pain into poetry laced with swagger, turning it into something unforgettable.

 June, 'MerryGoRound'

Laois’ June has released her new single ‘MerryGoRound’. The bop opens with an attention grabbing, staccato piano line, which June’s voice echos. The rhythm of the song then gradually gets calmer; however, it still maintains a fast-paced rhythmic tone, mimicking the feeling of being on a marry-go-round. June’s soft, emotional voice masterfully delivers the track’s complex lyrics.

“The Merry Go Round is a metaphor for the dizzying pace of modern society and how difficult it is not to get swept up into materialistic ideologies. It is intended to make the listener pause and reflect upon their lifestyle.”

The new track is June’s second single, with ‘Up’ releasing last month.

 

Adore ‘Sweet Keith’

Galway, Dublin and Donegal trio, Adore have released their manic new single ‘Sweet Keith’ ahead of their debut EP.

The garage-punk band describes the song as “a volatile, abrasive ode to chosen family and the affection we hold for the weirdos who make us feel safe.”

This track is a fuzzy, explosive and distortion filled display of the band's courageous songwriting. It’s loud and fast but has sincerity above all else. Punchy drums and breathy reverberated vocals make the song an exhilarating listen along with real meaning, making this an exciting release ahead of their upcoming EP. 

Methodactor, ‘Like This’

Dublin alt-pop artist Methodactor has released new single ‘Like This.’ The track is a moody, introspection on identity and the self. 

This comes ahead of his debut EP Fool’s Errand coming out September 12. 

‘Like This’ has a synth infused sound with a slow melodic tempo. The lyrics provide an explorative and wandering nature along with a bold electric guitar riff in the latter half of the song. It’s a track that opens up slowly and crescendos with an outro of ethereal sounds and heartfelt muffled vocals. 

Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy, ‘A Mháire’

‘A Mháire’ is the first single off of the collaborative album Cosán Casta by Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy. The track is based on “A Mháire’s a Mhuirnín,” collected by the Joyce brothers in 1844, from a blind piper named O’Hannigan in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork,  a year before the Great Famine. 

“This tune carries a weight of history,” explains the duo 

“It's a remnant of a people, a culture, songs, stories, and a way of life on the brink of devastation. In that sense, it is a startling similarity to what we are watching happen in the world today.”

This traditional Irish track is a lamenting and soulful mix of fiddle and piano. The song speaks without words, the emotion can be both heard and felt through the music. ‘A Mhaire’ is like listening to a piece of Irish history. 

DUG ‘Have At It!’

Irish-American duo DUG have released the title track from their upcoming album, out September 19.

‘Have At It!’ is an energetic mix of Irish and American influences making for a fresh take on folk music. It is lively, jovial and a fun time for all involved. The vocals are rich and vibrant, ‘Have At It!’ is a seamless combination of two worlds. 

The track was inspired by a message received through the family Whatsapp during covid.

"My mum was really worried, so she decided to get a will written," explained vocalist Conor Lorkin O’Reilly.

"She took a photo of it and shared it in the group chat, in response, my dad sent a picture of his will — a napkin with the words "Have at it!" scribbled across the front!” 

 

Ruthanne ‘Through It All’

Two-time Grammy nominee songwriter Ruthanne has released the new single ‘Through It All.’ 

The Pop-singer has been a prolific songwriter for over two decades, writing hits for JoJo, Britney Spears and One Direction. She released her first solo album Matters of the Heart in 2019.

‘Through It All’ is a soulful ballad of love and thankfulness, with powerhouse vocals and lyrics that tell a story with some real vulnerability. The track has a 2000s R&B flavour to it and is reminiscent of classic hits from that era. Ruthanne’s years of experience in the industry can be felt in this track through the stunning writing and performance. 

 Some One’s Sons ‘Paddy O’

Mullingar folk band Some One’s Sons return with new single ‘Paddy O.’ An anthem about the struggles of immigrant labour, through themes of exploitation, resilience and solidarity.

“Paddy O” tells the story of an Irish worker toiling under harsh conditions, facing unjust treatment from the ganger man who withholds pay and exploits desperate labourers - all while deepening his own pockets,” said songwriters Daniel Allen and Greg Dunne. 

The song is a tale told through an upbeat tempo with a sarcastic tongue. It’s a quick-witted jig but its story is sharp and despairing. The sea-shanty-esque tone highlights the evocative songwriting from the quintet. 

mischa and the bear, ‘Sing It’

Alternative pop band mischa and the bear have released their debut EP Even Unto The Next World featuring 'Sing It’.

The Dublin duo have previously released three singles ‘Deny’ released in April, ‘Get Away’ in June and ‘Forever Ago’ in July (all appearing on their new EP).

The EP is “an exploration of obsession and loss through the lens of synth pop dreamy club,” according to a post on the group’s Instagram.

‘Sing it’ is a classic electronic dance song that pairs smoothly with Bear’s light, soft voice. The track’s vibrant synths bring Bear’s voice to life.

Kaeyan, ‘Zero’

Rapper Kaeyan has released his new single ‘Zero’.

The artist recently appeared on the Irish freestyle rap platform The Firing Range and has so much success on his episode that he was inspired to release ‘Zero’.

The new single features clever lyrics and a classic rap beat. His style can be compared to English rapper Dave.

ZASKA, ‘What We Had’ feat. Shiv

Neo-soul artist ZASKA has released his new single ‘What We Had’ featuring Dublin-based artist Shiv.

The guitarist, songwriter musical director and producer is known for his genera defying music and collaborations with other Irish artists. In 2014 Hozier was featured on ZASKA’s song ‘In Your Own Sweet Time’.

Since his start in 2014, ZASKA has released three albums It Takes a Village released in 2019, A Better Way in 2022 and his live album Live In Dublin in 2023.

‘What We Had’, featuring Shiv on vocals and ZASKA on guitar, employs a modern jazz sound.

Shiv’s light yet powerful voice effortlessly glides along the snappy guitar riff.

Áine Tyrrell, ‘Singing Our Way Home’

Singer-songwriter Áine Tyrrell has released her new single ‘Singing Our Way Home’ ahead of her upcoming album MISE ÉIRE.

After living in Australia for over a decade, the artis has returned to Ireland. Her new single is about remembering your roots.

“There are 80 million members of the Irish diaspora scattered across the world; I’ve been one of them. This song is for all of us who’ve had to leave, and all of us trying to find our way back. Now, as I return home to Ireland with my family, the song has become something we live, a daily act of remembering. And in times like these, that remembering goes beyond the personal. It’s a collective call; a reclaiming not just for Ireland, but for all people finding their way back to land, to language, to truth,” said Tyrrell.

‘Singing Our Way Home’ is an Irish folk style song with simple yet deeply impactful lyrics.

The track’s light instrumentals seamlessly pair with Tyrrell’s soft, graceful voice.

Conn Thornton, ‘Heaven, I’m in Heaven’

Conn Thornton has released their new single ‘Heaven, I’m in Heaven’ head of their upcoming EP When Bethesda Lands They’ll Throw Us a Parade.

Thornton grew up as a classical pianist, however, in 2020, the artist decided to use for counterparty influences to shape their music, drawing inspiration from artists such as Sufjan Stevens.

Their new single was inspired by Tony Kushner’s play Angels In America which discusses the AIDs epidemic.

“I have repurposed it as a call to stand up for trans people as their human rights are consistently being rolled back by governments that do not see them as equals,” said Thornton.

The lyrically heavy ‘Heaven, I’m in Heaven’ opens with the singer’s delicate voice. The slow-paced song uses soft instrumentals to create a deeply emotional tone.

Jamie Duffy, ‘Rising’

Composer Jamie Duffy has released his new single ‘Rising’ ahead of his self-titled debut album.

The song was written during Duffy’s time spent in Iceland and is chock-full of interments featuring lilting whistles, a verity of stings, piano and guitar.

“The beauty of instrumental music is that these tunes will mean something different to everyone. That is a very special thing and part of the reason why at times, I deliberately shy away from detailing the meaning and influences behind my work. Having said that, the inspiration for my first single from the coming album, ‘Rising’, is Ireland, from imposing landscapes to the madness and beauty I’ve experienced in Irish society particularly since moving to Dublin. I wanted the drama and pace of this tune to reflect all of that, in a fresh and modern sense, and for the piece to reflect that powerful and beautiful feeling of being Irish,” said Duffy.

The artist’s 2022 debut single ‘Solas’ became the most streamed debut by an Irish artist since Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’.

‘Rising’ blends intricate piano lines with delicate whistle sounds, creating a truly beautiful and emotionally moving experience.

Listen to our playlist below: