New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

JayO x Jordan Adetunji, ‘History’

North London R&B artist JayO clearly has good taste when it comes to choosing who to feature on his tracks, with Belfast raised and Grammy nominated Jordan Adetunji hopping on ‘History’, offering his trademark upper register R&B vocals. The history discussed isn’t the Roman Empire or WW2, but instead the pair reflect on relationships that could have been, over a dubby, smooth and sensual, instrumental.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JAYO (@jayoagain)

Jeorge II, ‘Sick’

Hailing off of Jeorge II's new EP Expressionism, ‘Sick’ is a highly distinctive hip-hop piece blending catchy bars with raw lyricism and maximalist, glistening production. With commanding delivery and emotionally driven songwriting, the track is a hard-hitting opener to an EP that will prove the rapper as a voice not to be missed on the Irish scene.

Ailbhe Reddy, ‘That Girl’

A taster for Ailbhe Reddy’s upcoming record Kiss Big, due out on January 30, ‘That Girl’ is a stunningly maximalist track, lined with emotionality and pretty synth arrangements, all accompanied by distinctive rhythmic sections and undeniable melodic flair.

On the song Reddy shares: “This is one of the record’s emotional anchors. A study in how love shifts shape over time — how we start seeing each other less tenderly, and forget what we once adored. Inspired partly by Fleishman Is in Trouble, it reflects on memory, time, and how impossible it is to stay the same person inside a long love.”

Child of Prague, ‘Cooley’s Reel’

Child of Prague are back with their new tune ‘Cooley’s Reel’, a track lined with powerful and technically impressing guitar riffs and rousing rhythmic sections, slow-building in intensity with the later addition of wind instruments and gorgeously layered production, tempo speeding up for an incredibly riotous yet melodic instrumental piece.

THUMPER, ‘There Will Be Blood’

THUMPER are back with their new single ‘There Will Be Blood’, coming ahead of their sophomore album Sleeping With The Light On, a glistening track of dark, almost dissonant undertones blending with raw emotionality, making for a track as routing as it is stirring, slow building yet incredibly breathless.

Seamus Fogarty, ‘Fire’

Seamus Fogarty returns with the heavy ‘Fire’ a powerful new single blending dark, minor tones with synthy instrumentals and almost whispered vocals that make it as emotionally moving as it is transporting, evoking long evening drives and melancholy-filled mornings. With this new track, the musician demonstrates his undeniable lyrical talent, as well as his capacity to build emotionally resonant yet complex productions.

Madams Last Discovery, ‘Orange Juice’

Belfast’s Madams Last Discorvery release their new single 'Orange Juice’, the first track off of their upcoming debut EP The World’s End. The track reads like an inner monologue from an individual, a debate ongoing inside their head that never seems to want to end. The chorus of the track reaches a stalemate, where the only choice is to shut down the thoughts and listen to the music.

Joshua Burnside, ‘Something Else’

Joshua Burnside shares new single ‘Something Else’, hailing off his upcoming record It’s Not Going to be OK, a tender, off-kilter folk reflection on drinking, doomscrolling, and reaching for something to believe in when life’s cold truths hit hardest, all wrapped in glistening guitars and hard-hitting lyricism.

Discussing ‘Something Else’, Burnside explains: “Last year, I started drinking heavily and binge watching The X-files. There is something so comforting about Mulder and Scully’s relationship. When faced with the cold truth of life and death, it makes you want to believe in something else. That’s kind of what the X-files is really about isn’t it?”

49th & Main, 'LIVE 4 THE WEEKEND'

Kilkenny band 49th & Main brought us their debut album, Happy Tears, last summer, and with the release of their newest single ‘LIVE 4 THE WEEKEND’, there doesn’t seem to be a writer’s block in their future. Autumn brought us singles ‘Self Sabotage’, ‘Hold On’ and ‘Self Sabotage’, and their latest track continues the streak of masterfully-mixed beats and energy-boosting rhythms straight into the new year.

‘LIVE 4 THE WEEKEND’, steers away from 49th & Main’s latest indie-pop ditties and taps back into their lo-fi strains. Whatever party animal instincts lie dormant within you, trust the electronic roots will take control.

The band have also said they’re set to release a “boatload” of music this year, so make sure you can catch them on their upcoming world tour, with a Dublin gig at Vicar Street on February 7. Tickets are available here.

Sarah Hickey, ‘My World’

Soulful and slow like a tiptoe, Sarah Hickey gracefully creeps her way into our most tender moments, giving us a stripped back piano ballad and not shying away from any of the deep stuff!

"My World is about loss,” says Hickey. “The way everything you expected to come in the future suddenly changes.”

The tune comes as a deeply moving follow-up to her song ‘Close The Distance’, released last month, and will also appear on her upcoming second album.

pMad, 'Blood' 

'Blood' comes as the second single off of pMad's upcoming album, 1+1=-1. 

The Galway musician's newest track begins with crashing guitar riffs, thrashing along with hints of Fugazi, before dissolving into an unearthly gothic sound reminiscent of The Cure's 'A Forest'. Vocals haunt you like whispers down a reverberant corridor, with the heaviness of post-punk harmonies leading the way.

1+1+-1 is pMad's new-wave triumph of a concept album, building along the conviction that you should "believe none of what you see and very little of what you hear". Themes of survival, trauma and hope remain constant throughout the track, giving you a taste of whats to come ahead of the dark-wave album's release later this year.

Norberto Loco & Micah, ‘Savage Daughter’

On ‘Savage Daughter’, Carlow-based DJ Norberto Loco collaborates with pop singer-songwriter Micah for a deeply empowering new anthem. EDM beats compliment Micah’s vulnerable and uplifting vocals bringing a modern edge to what feels like the battle-cry of ancient Celtic woman.

“I am my mother’s savage daughter,” she sings with gusto, calling out to all who will heed her message. The track breathes confidence, with storytelling that builds a world of generational strength and survival.

Additionally, The two have an accompanying music video, also set for release today!

Helen O'Shea, 'Lost'

To mark the 8 years since Dolores O'Riordan's passing, Helen O'Shea has released a tribute cover of The Cranberries' 2019 track 'Lost'.

The Limerick-born, America-based singer, combines the musical traditions of her past and present homelands, integrating themes of Irish traditional music and Americana folk. On 'Lost', each harmony, instrumental and gentle whisper of a note takes hold of you, as if a sigh of relief or reassuring look.

"I'm lost with you and I'm lost without you," she sings on the overwhelmingly touching dedication.

The track examines holding on to the past, bringing on strong emotions of denial and self-doubt. O'Shea delivers her own take on the track, feels almost like a good bye or an acceptance of peace. The cover will appear on her upcoming dedication album coming May 1.

Fiach Moriarty, ‘The Death of MacNeill’

Concepts and storytelling, an attachment to one’s own history - these all build up the triumph that is 'The Death of MacNeill' by Dublin musician Fiach Moriarty.

It's not often that you see a singer-songwriter of this age dive into a song inspired by historical events and exchanges. On 'The Death of MacNeill', Moriarty goes full steam ahead on his personal interests, digging into the death of Brian MacNeill, one of the six Anti-Treaty IRA volunteers killed by Free State forces on Benbulben, Co. Sligo, on September 20th, 1922.

It's authentic and educational, as Moriarty doesn't steer away from idiosyncrasy. Dive into these very same passions and explore Irish revolutionary history in a track driven by a passion for justice!

Peadar Connolly, ‘Codhlaím go Suan’

'Codhlaím go Suan' comes as Peadar Connolly breathtaking debut. Connolly performs the Irish-language ballad with a tender care that feels just as powerful as it does fragile.

The lullaby is a dedication to the Christ child, with Connolly's soothing harmonies and traditional Irish instrumentals, such as tin whistle and fiddle, hypnotising any gentle ears listening nearby.

The singer and ethnomusicologist is also the brother of rock singer-songwriter AILSHA, and although Connolly begins his career in an alternate vein than his sister, he exudes the very same passion and innate talent. The hard work poured into this stunning hymn is palpable, and we can't wait to see what comes next for him!

 

Antanna, 'The Timing'

Kilkenny-born, Dublin-based artist Antanna has released his new single ‘The Timing’, blending folk, indie and alternative music. This mixture of folk-pop and strong reflective, emotional elements add texture to Antenna’s vocal storytelling.

The track centres on the theme of a relationship, which despite the strong connection, is unfortunately affected by circumstance , or “bad timing”.' With warm acoustic guitar, smooth vocals and a subtle string arrangement, the tender folk ballad, captures bitter-sweet realisation and feelings of frustration with ‘fate’.

“The Timing” speaks to anyone who’s loved deeply yet been forced to step back, to postpone, or to walk away because the moment wasn’t right,” said Antanna.

 

Dead Manifest, 'Crowing Out For You'

Built on grunge-influenced guitars and strong melodic hooks, ‘Crowing Out For You’ blends elements of pop-punk with darker, gothic-leaning textures.

This dynamic production puts a dark twist on Dead Manifest's influences, which include Weezer, Foo Fighters and Queens of Stone Age.

Lyrically, the song focuses on the atmosphere and imagery over literal storytelling.

“At its heart, it’s about loving someone so intensely that you’d shift shape for them,” said Dead Manifest. “— become something wild, watchful, and unwavering. A crow in devotion. Dark, but strangely sincere.”

Noelle O’Sullivan - ‘Bog Cotton’

Alternative folk artist Noelle O’Sullivan has shared her second single ‘Bog Cotton’, taken from her sophomore album Rolling on the Inside, due January 16.

Produced by Brian Casey at Wavefield Recording Studio in Cork, ‘Bog Cotton’ showcases O’Sullivan’s distinct, soft yet powerful vocal style and traditional folk instrumentation, which complement each other gracefully.

This song beautifully encapsulates the process of mourning, and highlights the sincerity and depth of emotion, depicting a deep connection with her father through raw and almost mystical comparisons to nature.

The last section of the song includes a short, heartfelt conversation between O’Sullivan and her late father, as a reflective and comforting sound of fiddle played by Lily Munday fades into the distance.

donny. & Earl Gasket, ‘let ur clip.’

Hungary-born, Galway-based donny. has teamed up with fellow Galway artist Earl Gasket, whose dreamy voices lead the track through a short and sweet psychedelic voyage, mixing elements of indie and psychedelic rock.

Featuring a strong bassline, the track begins with donny., who imitates the early stages of the ‘psychedelic trip’, that later unravels and leads into a feeling of euphoria.

"‘let ur clip.’ at its core revolves around the idea of music as a journey,” say the artists.

With a solo EP due soon, as well as a collaborative project with Earl Gasket, donny. is also in the process of releasing new music as part of his band monotypes.

Saltaire, “Slip Jigs & Jenny’s”

Less than a month away from the release of their debut EP, Only Moonlight, alt-folk trio Saltaire have given fans a glimpse of what to expect with the single ‘Slip Jigs & Jenny’s’. The song is a cello-driven trad instrumental, highlighting their ability to seamlessly weave various instruments, to create a layered, mesmerising and enchanting track.

“The arrangement came together rather organically as each instrument layers, weaving over and under one another, building momentum that ebbs and flows from start to finish,” said cello player Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz.

Dave Nulty, “Stay”

Dublin-based producer and house artist Dave Nulty has released his new single, ‘Stay’: a vibrant example of melodic and progressive house, which follows Nulty’s signature blend of energy and emotion. The EP consists of uplifting synth leads, rich atmospheric textures, a tight rhythmic groove, and vocal chops.

This track is soothing and uplifting, balancing melodic sophistication with heartfelt momentum, perfect whether you're sitting down and relaxing, or dancing.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dave Nulty (Music) (@dave_nulty_music)

Bad Mothers Union, 'God’s Intercom'

Bad Mothers Union have released their newest kraut-rock-inspired single, ‘God’s Intercom’. This EP is a clear example of the band’s unrelenting energy. Right after a single chord and machine gun roll, which kick off the song, the fury of the group is unleashed.

Ditching the traditional verse/chorus/verse structure, this is an unconventional track with a surrealist twist to it, with stream of consciousness lyrics like: “It was Christmas Day, pissing rain, Jammy called once again, Were those the days before the crash?”

Rosie Carney, ‘Sixteen’

Rosie Carney has released her single ‘Sixteen’, ahead of the drop of her fourth album, Doomsday … Don’t Leave Me Here. The record is set to release on February 27, and was co-written and co-produced with Ross MacDonald of The 1975, producer Ed Thomas, and mixed by Jonathan Gilmore.

The album is said to explore female rage, nostalgia, existential dread, and the complexities of love and loss - as exhibited  in the song ‘Sixteen', which moves away from the folk foundations of her earlier work towards shoegaze, alt-pop and eletronic textures to create a song that embodies both anger and sadness.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rosie Carney (@rosiecarney)

Listen to our playlist below: