New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

MOIO, ‘PLAY HARD!’

Earthday is the new EP from Dublin-raised producer/songwriter extraordinaire MOIO, who named the project after the annual worldwide celebration of the planet, which also happens to be his birthday.

‘PLAY HARD!’ is the darkest, funkiest thing the eclectic musician has done so far. There’s oneiric Tame Impala textures at play via digitised synthscapes and fuzzed guitars, some sharp musings on ivory tower living, and a bassline that’s busier than a SPAR deli beside a building site.

“‘PLAY HARD!’ was probably one of the most fun to create,” MOIO says. “I don’t often find myself working with a ton of people but when I got working with Two Inch things we were clicking and we just fed off each other’s energy. When people listen to this song - I want them to feel the carefree energy and youthfulness that we felt when we were creating it.”

Jazzy and Luuk Van Dijk, ‘Moth To A Flame’

Irish dance-pop singer-songwriter Jazzy has teamed up with Dutch TJ Luuk Van Dijk for track ‘Moth To A Flame’ off her DJ project GEWAH Selects.

The high-energy track was a feature of Jazzy’s sets throughout the summer, and rightly so. It’s bright, fun, full of danceable energy. Jazzy’s catchy vocals and upbeat melodies meld well with Van Dijk’s modern production. The mix features colourful synth, hip-hop infused beats and blissful layered vocals nostalgic of nineties dance-pop hits.

“The party is calling, calling my name,” Jazzy sings. Appropriately, as ‘Moth To A Flame’ demands a party.

Just Mustard, ‘ENDLESS DEATHLESS’

Ahead of their highly anticipated third album WE WERE JUST HERE out later this month, Dundalk five-piece Just Mustard have released new single ‘ENDLESS DEATHLESS’.

Once again defying genres and exceeding expectations, Just Mustard have created something never seen before. ‘ENDLESS DEATHLESS’ is disorienting in the best way, contrasting dream-like vocals with distorted samples and raw, dark basslines. Vocalist Katie Ball describes the track as “an existential love song”, capturing the ecstasy of a losing oneself on the dance floor. It’s immersive, it’s raw, it’s experimental. Just Mustard have built something rare and beautiful with ‘ENDLESS DEATHLESS’.

Oliver Cole, ‘Please Let It Go’ feat. Leila Jane

Indie artist Oliver Cole has teamed up with dream pop singer-songwriter Leila Jane for new single ‘Please Let It Go’.

In ‘Please Let It Go’, industry veteran Cole (formerly of Turn) and Hot Press Y&E Series alumni Jane have a chemistry that can only be described as magical. Their vocals, while distinctively different, blend well in dueting verses and harmonious choruses. The instrumentals create a feel-good, warm-and-fuzzy tone, with gentle drums, soft rhythm guitar strums and bright lead guitar melodies. It’s a song that eases listeners in to a cozy autumn mood.

hikii, ‘TIT FOR TAT’ feat. Curtisy

After building a reputation through his sophisticated production work for a number of Irish rappers, Dublin artist hikii shows he’s got as much chops on the mic as he does behind the board on his debut rap album THE SAD CLOWN.

Taken from the DIY project, ‘TIT FOR TAT’ is mellow and jazzy, with sensual bars floating above the swooning horns and washed out vocal samples. There’s also a welcome appearance from hikii’s frequent collaborator Curtisy, whose own voice and flow have become instantly recognisable in the last couple of years.

“This album is the most personal thing I’ve ever created. I’ve always seen myself as a ‘sad clown’ – I joke and laugh on the outside, but a lot of that comes from pain and trauma,’ hikii wrote on Instagram.

“These songs dive into family struggles, the music scene, drink, drugs, relationships, and the contradictions of my own mind… but there are also lighter moments and glimmers of hope throughout.

“It’s an album that should be played in order, sprinkled with clown samples that tie the story together. Isolation was a big part of making this, but it made the project what it is – RAW.”

 

 

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Martina and The Moons, Laundry Mat

Martina and the Moons, the Dublin-based all-female four-piece, are back with their new single ‘Laundry Mat’, with Rhubarb Music a new label from Grammy-winning producer Ruadhri Cushnan.

The track is a guitar-led anthem that captures the band's live energy and direct, emotional songwriting. Written by frontwoman Martina Moon after reading about a domestic violence case in her hometown, ‘Laundry Mat’ discusses the numbness and helplessness that can come with everyday life especially when faced with heavy realities. “It’s about feeling stuck in routine while the world around you burns,” Martina says.

The band's sound draws from 90s alt-rock and Britpop think Elastica or Blur mixed with storytellers like Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.

The band recently played at Belfast’s Output Music Conference (September 25) and Ireland Music Week (October 2),the band have also played Whelan’s in Dublin and The Great Escape in Brighton.

Huartan, ‘Dúlamán’

Ahead of their debut album, tradtronica, Huartan have released ‘Dúlamán’, an adaptation of a beloved Donegal folk song, bringing tradition into the electronic space. Producer and composer Stiofán Ó Luachráin turns the traditional chorus “dúlamán gaelach” and blends it into a synth-driven track with pulsating bass, sharp percussion, and not a folk instrument in sight.

Pebbledash, ‘Cell’

Pebbledash lean into their shoegaze tendencies on the new single ‘Cell’, showcasing a singular fusion of Irish traditional music, atmospheric alternative rock, grunge, and post-punk undertones. The track layers reverb-soaked, jangling guitars with melancholic vocals to create an ethereal soundscapes, set against its dissonant note choices.

Speaking about the track, Fionnbharr Hickey explains - “This song is both an exploration of facing the parts of you that are usually hidden away from view, the parts of you that scare you whilst also being a comment on the futility of life itself and the fact that none of this matters and the frustration that this can bring. Asha’s chanting vocals resonating with the screeching feedback of guitars echo these exasperations, perhaps my favourite moment in the EP is on this track dropping with the instrumental break a vicious and searing guitar feedback. It just brings delight to my ears every time I listen back to it, I really think people will get a sense of our live shows from the track and the dynamics we bring to the stage.”

Kormac, ‘Hazy’

Dublin composer, producer and performer Kormac has released his latest electronica tune, ‘Hazy’, featuring gorgeously otherworldly synth arrangements, hard hitting percussions and powerfully catchy vocals, making for a track that is both transporting and profoundly danceable, further underlining Kormac’s unique artistic flair.

The White Horse Guitar Club, ‘Dinks Song’

The opener to The White Horse Guitar Club’s new album Sos Beag, ‘Dinks Song’ is a gorgeously layered folk tune which instantly transports the listener to springy, wide open fields. With its ensemble of guitars and its harmony-heavy vocals, the track marks the perfect opener for the new record.

Speaking of Sos Beag, found Joe Philpott says: “Life’s full of noise – the kind that drowns out the quieter truths. Sos Beag is our attempt to make space for those truths again. Songs sung shoulder to shoulder. Melodies that rise and fall like tides. Music that reminds us we’re not alone.”

John Blek, ‘747’

The lead single to John Blek’s upcoming album The Midnight Ache, ‘747’ is a heartbreaking track about leaving, the collapse of long lasting love and the indelible marks that lost love leaves, set to gentle guitar arpeggios and softly moving string arrangements, making the perfect accompaniment to Blek’s honey-rich vocal performance.

“This is a song I wrote on an early morning flight to Europe to begin a tour back in late 2023,” explains Blek. “Those journeys can often be fruitful & creative times. The mind is half asleep and the body is there witnessing the tired beginnings of the day or the alien landscapes above the clouds. It’s a chance to get outside of yourself.”

KETTAMA, ‘Man With A Second Face’

Hailing off of KETTAMA’s new album Archangel,‘Man With A Second Face’ is a breathless, powerfully synthy dance banger that is certain to warm up your autumnal nights out, and offer an enticing first glance into the producer’s new banging record.

Willzee, ‘Travelling Man’

Willzee, Limerick-based artist of Traveller descent, today releases ‘Travelling Man’, the first single from his forthcoming album Deep T’inker. Culturally rooted Irish folk melody, with a rap structure, and spoken-word poetry, the single is a bold reclaiming of Traveller identity - turning pain into pride.

Rooted in Willzee’s lived experience, academic research, and ancestral memory, the upcoming album emerged “from studying how policies have harmed our people,” says the musician, such as the 1963 Commission of Itinerancy, a policy which reshaped Traveller lives for generations. “But it’s also about the stories, the love, the music I grew up with around the fire. I wanted to go back to the grass roots of Traveller music - and honour the uncles and aunties who inspired me.”

Delacy, Letters to myself

Letters to myself’ explores the raw realities of mental health struggles, reflection and the pursuit of hope and resilience.

Blending elements of pop, folk and funk, Delacy’s sound aims to balance vulnerability with energy.

The previously released ‘Banshee’ is at the heart of this ep. It forms the bridge between darkness and light tying the whole record together.

“Music has always been my way of making things make sense” says Delacy “With this EP, I wanted to capture not just the pain, but the turning point- the moment you remember there's light worth fighting for. My hope is that these songs can be a guide for anyone navigating their own path towards healing”

Bula Beag, Grá Siorí

Bula Beag are a four piece Irish band that blend Irish traditional, folk, and indie rock influences.

Their latest single, Grá Siorí, is a track that explores the deep and lasting bond between a father and child. Speaking about the release, singer Aoibheann Treanor explained: “The song is essentially about the eternal love shared between a daughter or son and their father.”

Bula Beag are known for their live sets, having performed at major events including the Clonmany Festival and the Sligo St. Patrick’s Day Festival.

Tolü Makay, ‘I AM’

Nigerian-Irish artist Tolü Makay has released her new six-track EP People Still Cry in Summer, featuring ‘I AM’.

“My last EP, Being (2020), captured an earlier stage of my journey. People Still Cry in Summer continues that map of self-discovery,” said Makay.

“These songs reflect how I’ve had to rebuild my confidence, shed shame, and reclaim my voice after years of personal and industry challenges. This project is about resilience, a reminder that we are always more than our pain.”

‘I AM’ is a powerful genre defying track. It takes on a modern jazz feel, blending classic jazz instrumentals with booming synth beats.

Vocally, the track blends spoken word, rap and pop elements, shifting back and forth to fit the lyrical tone.

Mark Caplice & Megan O’Neill, ‘Four Miles Deep’

Mark Caplice and Megan O’Neill have released their collaborative single ‘Four Miles Deep’.

Written when both artists were losing a parent to long-term illness, the track deals with the personal and universal aspects of grief.

“This song was born from our personal experiences with grief, but it also recognises how grief connects us all,” said O’Neill.

“I don’t think I could have created this with anyone else. Mark and I were on such similar, yet contrasting paths at the time, so the story we tell here weaves between connection and individuality.”

The song was largely recorded live in an effort to capture the singer’s raw emotions.

‘Four Miles Deep’ is a delicate, melancholy tune the features soft piano notes and airy vocal harmonies.

Van Panther, ‘Street Sweeper’

Alternative rock band Van Panther have released their debut album Icarian featuring ‘Street Sweeper’.

“Icarian is a stark meditation on fatigue, exile, and the fragility of memory,” said the band.

“Its lyrics move between mental unrest, societal upheaval, and cosmic disaster, drawing a thread between the individual in privacy, and the weight of personal existence.”

‘Street Sweeper’ is a chaotic track, featuring a funky bass line and sliding guitar notes, with grounding vocals that pull everything together.

The song takes on a Car Seat Headrest style with its distinctly alternative sound.

bbft, ‘FLOWEREMOJI’

Electro-Noise and Dance duo bbft have released their second single ‘FLOWEREMOJI’ ahead of their debut EP.

The pair recently performed at Electric Picnic.

The track blends a modern electronic style with analog distortion to create a unique sound.

‘FLOWEREMOJI’ sounds like the ideal video game soundtrack. The tune, although cohesive as a whole, is broken up into wildly different sections, keeping the listener to their toes.

Its ups and downs range from a whimsical, folky electronic sound to futuristic rock notes in the blink of an eye.

Ash, ‘Hallion’

Co. Down rock band Ash have released their new album Ad Astra with track ‘Hallion’.

Kicking off with sputtering samples and driving, rock-pop drums with a firm bassline underneath cheeky clips of conversation, ‘Hallion’ encapsulates the endearing quirkiness of Ash. The bright guitar melodies meld well with upbeat vocals, peaking with a catchy chorus that begs to be danced to. The ecstatic sound eventually cools down into an outro comprised of subdued strummed chords and lone vocals that maintain the same lyrics while distinctly shifting the mood from blissful cheer to a soft sense of melancholy.

Altara, ‘Nostalgia’

Dublin-born artist and producer Altara unveils his new track ‘Nostalgia’, taken from his upcoming EP Vision, Hindsight 2025. A blend of alt-pop and EDM, the track leans into big hooks while circling around the struggle of moving on from someone.

“Nostalgia came so out of the blue for me,” said Altara. “I really wanted to embrace the drama, how hard I find it to move on from someone, & I love how fluid the whole process was. We really wanted to keep as much as we could from the original demo, because the feeling was just so fresh.”

Since debuting last summer with ‘Somebody To Lose’, Altara has been exploring his sound, mixing EDM and alt-pop, with follow-ups including EPs The Lobby and asp. 

Carrie Baxter, ‘Under My Skin’

Carrie Baxter returns with her new single ‘Under My Skin’, a soul-driven track that captures the ache of mixed signals. Built on warm, 90s-inspired drums and nostalgic textures, it tells the story of returning to a love that isn’t right.

The Waterford artist, who previously released EPs Placebo in 2020, What Now in 2021, and Keep Swimming in 2024, continues to blend elements of neo-soul, R&B and jazz with confessional lyricism and personal storytelling.

“I think the song speaks for itself through its lyrics,” Baxter says. “What I know for sure is that it marked a turning point for me as a woman… there was no better way to process it than through my music.”

Alex Gough, ‘2nite’

Waterford artist Alex Gough returns with ‘2nite’, a track that moves away from the hip-hop structures of his early work.

The single embraces raw songwriting and melodic textures, sitting closer to alternative R&B than the jazzy rap cuts that first introduced him.

It’s a glimpse into a broader artistic shift for Gough, whose upcoming album blends indie rock with ambient soundscapes.

“This record is about evolution, and about honesty. I wanted to make something that reflected where I’m at now, without holding onto what came before,” Gough said of the project.

Heron Red, ‘Cheap Wine and Coloured Gin’

Heron Red release their third single of the year ‘Cheap Wine and Coloured Gin’.

Stripping things back after the more energetic ‘Not All Is Fair’ and ‘Beneath The Elm’, the duo lean fully into classic folk storytelling, delivering a ballad that follows a night spent with a lover in chronological detail. The song resists pop structures in favour of a raw narrative.

The track is particularly significant for them, as it was the very first original song they performed together.

“It’s always been a crowd favourite at live shows,” the band explain. “It felt right to finally release the song that started it all.”

iNNUENDO, ‘Rosemary’

iNNUENDO has a bone to pick with ‘Rosemary’. The new single from iNNUENDO feels like the townspeople gathering pitchforks, parading through town in a mission driven by song and dance.

An alternative-pop dance track that lures you in with continuous and tense piano introduction looping like thoughts unraveling, leading you towards a melody that feels like wide steps up to your chest. 

The song embodies the shock of sudden friendship ending and being forced to move on. The melody is never stagnant, propelling you into the track's movement and not giving you time to think. 

‘Rosemary’ acts as the transport for a transitional period as life keeps going even when it gets hard. 

The song has elements of synth and new-wave rhythms that opt for a shouting chorus, allowing listeners to tune into their own experiences and join in on the passionate exclamations. 

It's time to point the finger and then dance away from it all with ‘Rosemary’. 

Late Night Empires, ‘Satellites’

When Late Night Empires whisper, they’re speaking directly to you. Inner thoughts and turmoil come together in a conflicted and contemplative new track addressing the struggle of feeling hopeless in a problematic world. 

The group is comprised of Paul O'Riordan and NJ Dubhlainte, who started Late Night Empires in 2024 after working together in the band Red Eskimo 14 years earlier.

‘Satellites’ speaks to fight the power, acknowledging the unfairness of society and feeling despondent in the face of government inaction. 

The song gives power to listeners through soft spoken melodies, acting as a beacon of hope. 

Their album I Dreamed a Life Part II is also out today and is the follow up to I Dreamed a Life Part I, released in 2024.

Eamon Brady, ‘Arms Are Weak’

Ahead of his upcoming album Half Light, Eamon Brady has released his captivating second single ‘Arms Are Weak’.

After an unforgettable solo debut with ‘Our Hands’, Brady’s latest single has once again proved his undeniable talent. ‘Arms Are Weak’ opens with gentle acoustic guitar melody, a soft tapping rhythm and an ambient ring in the background that begs to be played on a scenic road trip. The highlight, of course, is the vocals. Brady’s voice is mesmerising. The melody is full of subtly intricate dips and rises, well-suited for the poetic, introspective lyrics. The song builds slowly without becoming overwhelming, with soft synth rhythms that gradually envelop the track with a warm, modern-yet-nostalgic feel. Listening to ‘Arms Are Weak’ feels like being wrapped in a blanket in front of a crackling fireplace with a warm cup of tea, watching as the gentle autumn rain falls outside. A beautiful, moody track perfect for a beautiful, moody season.

The Guilteens, ‘Born Evil’

Ahead of their forthcoming EP Heavy Letters which is set to release on October 31, The Guilteens are giving fans little bread crumbs along the way with new single ‘Born Evil’. 

Steady, sultry rhythms that seem to lead you through a desert of sound, ‘Born Evil’ is an acceptance of personal turmoil, making listeners reflect on difficult thoughts. 

Melodrama is instrumental in the lyrical efforts of the Cork based band, as ‘Born Evil’ captures listeners in the art of the slow burn. 

The slide guitar riffs build an edge and an atmosphere that sticks in your head, almost haunting you with strange intensity. 

The band has only been around since 2023, but they seem to have created their own movement of dark instrumental storytelling, with shoegaze influences and classic currents of  alt-rock sound.

It’s time for listeners to decide: was this fate? Were you born evil?

Oceanna, Oceanna

One might argue that chemistry is everything in a band and this is certainly the case with Oceanna. 

The band has released a brand new self titled EP, with five tracks for smooth and easy listening.

The group is composed of musicians from Brazil, Spain and Ireland, individuals who could convince you they were born holding their instruments.

You can feel their respective cultures intermingling with confident tracks such as ‘Big Fred’, a song you can only jam to with your chest puffed out and your steps wide and grandiose.

The Nu-Jazz band takes inspiration from groove and soul music, as their instrumentals seem to sing along in harmony, as if the saxophone and drum have run off to marry one another. 

You can catch them on tour starting this month with dates in Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Cavan  and Dundalk.

Chris Cresham, ‘Bleed’ featuring Mark O’Donnell

Chris Cresham and Mark O’Donnell have come together to create ‘BLEED’. 

A deeply personal track which plays from both the perspective of Cresham as well as his mother, as he unpacks the lingering feelings of his childhood struggles. 

You can feel the nostalgia through the track, a longing for home while also being forced to face the reality of what ‘home’ is. 

‘BLEED’ reveals the honest truth of what it takes to forgive family and the painful work required to achieve it. 

“For you bleed. Look what you’ve done to me.”, the song repeats in a longing chorus which pleads with listeners.

The raw vocals are essential in capturing Cresham and O’Donnell, hailing from Mayo and Donegal respectively, the two can feel like all those boys you grew up with, bringing a humility and relatability to the song. 

O’Donnell will be playing a headline show at The Academy, Dublin, on November 20, with Cresham set to make a guest appearance.

Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy, ‘Cailleach’

Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy have teamed up once again on single ‘Cailleach’, ahead of their upcoming collaborative album Cosán Casta, due on November 7.

The track is an interpretation of the Irish traditional song ‘Cailleach an Airgid’ (English: the hag with the money), which the two artists say was a staple of their upbringing.

“I don’t think either of us remember a time where we did not know this song and its melody,” said Ní Bhriain of the track, adding, “We grew up listening to different versions of the lyrics, instrumental versions of the tune, as well as singing it in school and learning it on our instruments as a jig.”

She described revisiting the track as “a trip down memory lane” in which the duo aimed to both preserve the tradition they grew up with while forming something new and bringing it into the modern music sphere. The result is a song richly infused with trad sounds, but the artists’ contemporary influences shine through in its reconstructed nature. Ní Bhriain and McCarthy have deep roots with their eyes on the horizon, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.

Brendan Graham, ‘I Want To Go To Venice’

Songwriter and novelist Brendan Graham has released his debut album The Arrow of Time featuring ‘I Wan To Go To Venice’.

The artist is known for writing the lyrics for Eurovision-winning songs ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ and ‘The Voice’ and the classic ‘You Raise Me Up’.

“This album is not only a reflection on the past,” said Graham, “but a journey from then to now - and a celebration of the stories and songs that have travelled with me—and hopefully, with others—through time.”

‘I Want To Go To Venice’ is a reminiscent, nostalgic tune with a lullaby-like tone. The track reflects on past memories with a longing, melancholy tone.

It features soft piano notes and delicate yet deeply emotional vocals.

Conn Thornton, ‘Opening Night’

Conn Thornton has released their new EP When Bethesda Lands They’ll Throw Us a Parade, featuring ‘Opening Night’.

'Opening Night’ was inspired by John Cassavetes’ 1977 film of the same name.

The feature covers “an actress named Myrtle Gordon who, upon exiting a theatre after a performance, sees a fan of hers struck down and killed by a car,” according to a stamen.

“Witnessing this causes Myrtle to unravel, while preparing for her play ‘The Second Woman’, causing her to question her own identity and existence.”

The song opens with heavy rain sounds that are joined by somber guitar notes, slowly blending into the rest of the track.

Following the tone of the film, the song creates a deep sense of melancholy with its instrumental focus and deep vocals.

Bannered Mare, ‘Tetra’

Galway alternative rock band Bannered Mare have released their new album He’s Only Sleeping with track ‘Tetra’.

In their new album more than ever, Bannered Mare fuses post-punk with emo rock and math rock for a progressive alternative sound that is distinctively theirs. ‘Tetra’ is a highlight of this, packed with fuzzy bass, high-energy guitar melodies and explosive drums. Ambient background vocalisations set the stage for soaring harmonies and impeccable lyric delivery. The track is bold and loud and unapologetic about it. It’s catchy from the start, with a head-banging chorus and a mellowed-out bridge that builds anticipation with fresh, bright guitar lines back into crashing verses right through to the finish.

Listen to our playlist below: