New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Florence Road, ‘Georgia’

Capping off a monumentous year for the Wicklow four-piece, Florence Road have officially released their cover of Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘Georgia’.

Florence Road’s ‘Georgia’ is the kind of rendition so soul-stirring that one can’t do much else but listen. A melancholy, sombre tone pulls unrelentingly at one’s heartstrings, thanks soft acoustic guitar strums by Emma Brandon and driving percussion by Hannah Kelly, plus deep, dark bass by Ailbhe Barry. Frontwoman Lily Aron’s vocals bring a light, more innocent and gentle feel that makes the track all the more soulful. They deploy the fresh indie sounds of Wolf Alice with the genuine heart of The Cranberries, but their sound is entirely their own. The crew released this song back in October, and it has become a fan favourite at live shows for a reason; it’s raw, powerful and dripping with authenticity. Just one more reminder why Florence Road are on the rightful path to stardom.

Florence Road. Photo credit: Celia Croft

Eddie Winston, ‘Political Animals’

Dublin singer-songwriter Eddie Winston has returned with his new single, ‘Political Animals’.

Backed by his warm, heartfelt blend of folk and contemporary rock textures, Winston delivers sharp and poignant lyrics about themes of homelessness, addiction and loss. They're deeply personal, too; Winston's music career follows his hard-fought journey to break free from addiction after 25 years. Shimmering guitars soar over evocative percussion, with layered harmonies that ring right to the soul and stirring, cinematic string movements. Through it all, Winston’s vocals — rich with soul and packed with passion — are simply unforgettable.

“Politicians are so far removed from the reality of the housing and homelessness crisis,” said Winston of the inspiration behind ‘Political Animals’.

“Cost of living has hit a peak now, with some households having to choose to leave the heating off when cold in case they can't afford the bill when it arrives. B&B's, hotels and hostels can never provide kids and families with any kind of security and are no place to be trying to rear the next generations.”

Eddie Winston.

Joshua Curran, 'Under My Hand'

‘Under My Hand’ comes as the first single off of Joshua Curran’s upcoming album set for a March 2026 release. Things go wrong in any relationship don’t they? But these ups and downs are what make any great rock-driven pop song angsty and relatable.

The singer was born in Prague to a Czech mother and Irish father, and is no stranger songwriting with one album under his belt, as well as 'Survivor' an original song used to represent Armenia in Eurovision.

"Dance, dance, dance!"  he sings on the track which discusses the push and pull or romantic relationships. With addicting guitar riffs and gritty lyrics, three minutes is not enough Joshua!

 

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Axcent, 'Elegancy'

The title speaks for itself, as Axcent exudes elegancy on his latest single following the release of his EP 4x4 in October. He boasts the finer things of life, reassuring you the money is no where near running out.

With a backing track complemented by a trickling piano harmony and charm on-tap, 'Elegancy' gives listeners that extra boost of confidence, while not comprising on melody or lyricism. The influence of Travis Scott and Gunna are clear, but the Dublin rapper has a rhythm that is completely his own.

“There’s not many wavy / melodic rappers in Ireland,” he observes. “Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one, in fact. But the people love it, and I will do everything in my power to make it big.”

Trust, unwavering conviction didn't come from no where, he's got the grit and talent to back it too!

Axcent.

Chase Nova Band, 'Madness Costs Nothing'

Hypnotising guitar chords and a sneaking beat coming up when you least expect it, Chase Nova Band bring us 'Madness Costs Nothing'. "Madness costs nothing," they repeat on the song which grapples with the imbalance of socio-economic struggles and an unjust government.

"We live in a world where we’re now being forced to accept the existence of a trillionaire, while we send taxpayer-funded police to evict someone for owing their landlord a few hundred euro," says the band.

The Dublin-based band mix jazz and rock elements, blurring the lines of genre and creating a sound you'll keep coming back to time and time again. This is their first release following their 2024 single 'Beg For It Back'. Additionally, their acompanying tongue-and-cheek music video is out now!

Chase Nova Band.

Laura Quirke, ‘Man On My Bike’

Lemoncello’s Laura Quirke today releases her new solo EP Something To Lose, including the expansive opening track ‘Man On My Bike’, a magnificently dark tune described by the musician on Instagram as "a tale of desire, madness, shyness, awkwardness and the freedom of riding a bike at night.” A powerful folk tale layered with mysterious guitar arpeggios, a slow building production and smooth yet almost dissonant vocals, the track gently expands over the course of its 9 minutes run, growing into a deeply distinctive piece of work evoking dark, empty streets and a sense of delectable anxiety.

Laura Quirke of Lemoncello credits - Maya Solanki

modernlove., ‘suaimhneas’

Indie-pop four piece modernlove. celebrate last month’s sold-out London show with their brand new EP suaimhneas, including the works title and opening track ‘suaimhneas’, which offers a nod to the band’s Irish roots with its folky, acoustic guitar elements, without losing the indie pop flavours that makes modernlove. such a delightfully distinctive act. A gently melancholic and transporting tune, ‘suaimhneas’ offers an exciting first taste to the band’s last release of the year.

modernlove.

ELLYD, ‘Tomorrow Be Kind’.

Singer-songwriter ELLYD returns with her new single just in time for Christmas.

The melodic song is the title single off the Dublin singer's debut album, Tomorrow Be Kind.

A well-known face on the Irish music scene, ELLYD has played Electric Picnic, The Olympia and Vicar Street and supported some of the country's most recognisable bands and musicians, including Aslan and The Riptide Movement.

'Tomorrow Be Kind' is a song about hope and how there is always room to be kinder to ourselves and each other.

"This is the title track from my debut album, and the song that still feels closest to my heart," said ELLYD. "I was talking about it with a friend recently and we found ourselves admitting that it has a faint, unexpected shimmer of Christmas to it.

"That was never something I planned, but somehow it felt right to let the song step back into the world at this time of year. The message in the song is simple and human, a hope that tomorrow will be kinder and that we, as people, will be better. It’s a wish for renewal, for ourselves and for the world, wrapped in melody."

ELLYD

Mark Hegan, ‘Warm/Safe’

Belfast singer Mark Hegan has released his new single ‘Warm/Safe’, following his September EP First a Whisper, Then a Shout.

With a songwriting style that explores themes of adulthood, identity and compromise, Hegan has earned NI Music Prize nominations and is set to support Aslan tonight. After sharing a handful of singles starting in 2019, Hegan unveiled his debut EP Human Mind in 2023.

‘Warm/Safe’ offers a pop forward track with a bouncy, staccato guitar riff and melodic, rising and falling vocals. Snappy drumbeats fill the track as Hegan delivers low, steady vocals.

FATE, ‘obstinate’

FATE has released their new single ‘obstinate’, ahead of their upcoming album veritas.

The track “is about noticing what the future consequences of each other’s actions could be, as neither you nor your partner are changing your ways,” said the artist.

“You notice everything they're doing wrong, but you just can't help but feel this unbearable weight of guilt for going about it all the wrong way. It eats away at your mind night & day, consuming every ounce of energy you have.”

‘obstinate’ offers an upbeat yet dreary tone, with gritty, raw vocals paired with distorted, wavy synth beats.

Listen to our playlist: