New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Walshy, ‘It’s a wonderful life’

Dublin artist and producer Walshy shares his new Christmas single, ‘It’s a wonderful life’. Written from a teenage memory of a chaotic winter night, the track blends humour with a gentle sense of reflection. It opens with classic festive touches before breaking into heavier guitars and brisk, punk-leaning drums, giving the song a sharp indie-rock edge.

Moving between warmth and introspection, ‘It’s a wonderful life’ considers how easily the season’s noise can overshadow what actually matters. It’s another thoughtful, characterful release from Walshy, whose genre-blurring sound continues to evolve.

Walshy.

Ye Vagabonds, ‘The Flood’

Irish folk band Ye Vagabonds share ‘The Flood’, the second track from their upcoming album All Tied Together, out January 30. Recorded fully live in a Galway house with producer Philip Weinrobe, the song is a fiddle-driven, energetic snapshot of a short-lived squatters’ community from the band’s early days in Dublin. It features an ensemble of players including Shahzad Ismaily and Sam Amidon.

A one-take video directed by Ellius Grace accompanies the release, following dancer Jimmy Southward through a story shaped by the pressures of the housing crisis and the performance of everyday survival.

‘The Flood’ arrives ahead of All Tied Together, a collection of new songs rooted in place, memory, and the band’s evolving songwriting, marking the next chapter for the Mac Gloinn brothers as they move further into their own material.

Ye Vagabonds. Photo Credit: Rich Gilligan

Ten Speed Racer, ‘Was It A Moment?’

Ten Speed Racer have released their first single in over 20 years, and it is surely worth the wait.

'Was It A Moment?' is a piece of art taken from the trasure trove of newly rediscovered recordings from the band's home in rural Wexford. Joe Chester's masterful mixing polishes up a masterpiece of a song. Chester also lends his piano skills to a soft melody underneath bright, nostalgic guitar by John Barrett and light rhythms by drummer Terry Cullen. Dermot and John Barrett's vocals are absolutely magical, delivering lyrics that ring true to the feeling of seeing this legendary band's return: "Was it a moment years ago that we keep trying to improve upon? / Or is it the future that we keep getting glimpses of?" they sing. What a bright future it is. If this single tells us anything, it's that their upcoming demo/outtake collection set for release in 2026 is bound to be breathtaking.

Ten Speed Racer.

Travy, ‘VET’

After becoming the first Irish rapper in history to have two number one charted albums to his name, Travy has released ‘VET’, the second instalment in an ongoing series of knockout singles.

Travy is headed for stardom, and there's no stopping him. He gained a cult following with his mixtape in January, collaborated with Fred again.. for a track and an unforgettable RDS Simmonscourt performance, played headliners from Dublin to London and broke into viral charts in the UK and Ireland with various releases. And that's all in 2025. To cap off this landmark year, he has released 'VET', a further evolution of his distinct sound.

Synths and unique samples mark a step into the world of dance and electronic, while his sharp lyricism and effortlessly cool delivery keep it rooted in the hip-hop scene. With a memorable chorus over clean drum kits and driving bass, plus futuristic effects and mixing, this is one of Travy's best yet.

Travy

The Vibes, ‘Cheap Whiskey’

The Vibes are back with their highly anticipated debut album, Penny For Your Thoughts, with standout track ‘Cheap Whiskey’.

This six-piece indie folk pop band hails from Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo, and each member is undoubtably talented. They're true to the bright sounds and upbeat rhythms that formed the foundations for some of the greatest indie folk pop hits of the 2000s and 2010s, with fresh, modern mixing and a feel rooted in the Irish scene. Acclaimed Irish producer Ger McDonnell and multi-Grammy–winning producer Greg Wells (Adele, John Legend) lend their talents, but it's the instrumental and vocal talent of the band that make this track and the album as a whole so special.

'Cheap Whiskey' is both joyfully nostalgic and a fresh new anthem that brings a bit of light to the winter months. It's somewhere between The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons and Dermot Kennedy, but also true to The Vibes' distinct sound. With bright instrumentals and introspective lyrics, it manages to be fun while still holding depth and meaning. The sound itself is irresistibly danceable and envokes memories of warm summer days with friends.

The Vibes.

Youngiz, ‘Ragebait’

Youngiz rounds up the year with ‘Ragebait’, a sharp, high-voltage UK drill release that captures the chaotic thrill of the genre while pulling it into darker, emotionally charged territory. In the track, Youngiz takes the concept of ragebait — a deliberate attempt to spark strong emotional reactions through controversial statements or confrontational imagery, and flips it, building a world where pressure, provocation, and paranoia transform into something cinematic and undeniably artistic.

Youngiz

Tadgh Williams, ‘Hole In The Wall’

Celebrating the one year anniversary of his debut EP This Record Is A Nixer, Waterford singer-songwriter Tadgh Williams re-releases his 2024 track ‘Hole In The Wall’ as a single. An expansive and beautifully stirring guitar number, the track is lined with gorgeous piano and string textures.

“Hole in the Wall is a song about community,” the musician wrote on Instagram, “togetherness and embracing each other’s quirks, traits and faults. All in all, it’s about being with the ones you love. And I think that’s a good definition of Christmas.”

Photo Credit: Tadgh Williams Facebook

Robbie Doherty, ‘Find a Way’

Northern Irish producer Robbie Doherty releases his bouncy new single ‘Find a Way’, an intense club tune lined with moody synths and atmospheric vocals, which perfectly accompany the catchy and powerful rhythmic section of the track. Slow-building and breathless, the track announces a number of new work from Doherty, set to come out before the end of the year.

Robbie Doherty at Longitude Festival on July 5th, 2025. Copyright Ryan Smyth/ Hotpress.com

Stefan Murphy & Darklands Collective, ‘Prayer For Palestinian People’

Stefan Murphy, of US Based punk band The Sleeveens, and Darklands Collective have released their new single ‘Prayer For Palestinian People’.

The track’s proceeds will help raise funds for Stay Human, an Irish aided and internationally run school in Gaza.

“The subject matter in this song will need no clarification,” said the artists in a statement. “For the non-secular, singing can be a method of praying. This prayer goes out for the people Palestine. For an end to their occupation. For their freedom and for their right to live in peace.”

‘Prayer For Palestinian People’ is a deep, anthemic call for change, featuring a walking bass line and folk influenced woodwind notes.

Jack Devlin, ‘More Than Enough’

Singer-songwriter Jack Devlin has released his debut EP Default Days, featuring ‘More Than Enough’.

“'More Than Enough' is about those mates who show up without needing a reason, the ones who make the heavy days feel lighter just by being themselves,” said the artist.

The new EP explores themes of resilience, emotional honesty and escapism. The project “is basically me figuring life out in real time,” continued the artist. “It’s about moments that knocked me back, and the ones that reminded me why I’m still chasing all this.”

‘More Than Enough’ is a gentle yet upbeat pop tune full of jumpy guitar rhythms and Tom Odell inspired vocals.

Darren Kiely, ‘Fade’

Co. Cork’s Darren Kiely has released his new single ‘Fade’.

Reliving memories with an ex, the song “is about watching something beautiful slip away while you’re still holding on," said the artist. "It’s knowing you touched another life for a moment and stole a version of the future you wanted but couldn’t keep.”

‘Fade’ is a snappy pop-folk track featuring reflective, passion-filled vocals, echoed by a bold guitar riff.

The release follows his January single ‘Weight’, which has earned 5.5 million streams.

Cell Games, ‘Relics’

Irish Nu-Metal band Cell Games have released their debut EP You Have (Not) Heard These Songs Before, featuring ‘Relics’.

The project follows the group's October single ‘Lament Configuration’ and last year’s ‘Ego Sum Papa’, ‘The Optical World’ and ‘Witches X Bitches’.

The last track on the EP, ‘Relics’, initially made before the formation of Cell Games, started as a guitar centric track. Eventually, it became one of the band’s first tracks with electronic elements. The fast-paced, booming tune blends heavy guitars, thunderous synths and rumbling bass paired with a complex mix of vocal styles.

3rd Degree & Micko Roche, ‘Connected’

Waterford-based artist 3rd Degree returns with ‘Connected’, the final single ahead of his debut album. Co-produced with long-time collaborator Micko Roche, the track quickly sets a striking tone: crisp, snappy drums lock in with a dark and propulsive synth bassline, gradually unfolding into a euphoric, cinematic soundscape. Lyrically, it explores themes of connection, unity, love, and humanity’s bond with the natural world.

Reflecting on the song, 3rd Degree shares: “These lyrics have been with me for the past six or seven years, so it only felt right to create this track and make it part of my first album.”

3rd Degree

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