New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

How I Became A Wave, 'You Always Had A Way With Words'

How I Became A Wave has released their self-titled debut album via Absolute Label Services.

Previously releasing singles ‘Sea Swell’, ‘Fading Out’, ‘05:00’ and 'Cycles', it's the album opener 'You Always Had A Way With Words' that takes centre stage. Crafting the foundations for what's to come, the track is raw, intimate and full of feeling. From first note to last breath, it will leave its mark on you and keep you latched on for what follows.

“At the heart of How I Became A Wave is a sense of collaboration – of connection between artists. Inviting artists of different disciplines into the creative process has been key to the journey," says Pat Carey, the man behind How I Become A Wave.

"Understanding how other people see, hear and feel my work has been enlightening, affirming and vital, making sure that what we have created is a living body of work that I hope will continue to be expressed in changing ways.”

First Class Rebel, 'Control'

First Class Rebel is quickly establishing himself as one of Ireland’s most compelling emerging psych-shoegaze voices.

Since emerging in 2025, momentum has built rapidly. Debut single 'Shadows Fade' introduced First Class Rebel's shadowy intensity, while follow-up 'Alive' expanded the vision into a euphoric, rising surge of sound.

Now, the third single, 'Control', raises the stakes again. Brash, punchy and unflinching, it drives forward with relentless urgency before exploding into an arms-outstretched anthemic crescendo.

It’s a track that turns tension into release – distortion into liberation – and confirms that First Class Rebel is not circling an identity but fully stepping into it.

Rory & The Island, 'I'm Never Drinking Again'

Donegal singer-songwriter Rory & The Island returns with his brand-new album, Nine, and single, 'I'm Never Drinking Again'.

Stemming right back to 1998, when Rory released his debut album, he has had a long and fruitful career in the music industry, seeing both the highs and lows but never getting too fussed about either.

Rory has enjoyed a wide and varied career over his previous eight albums, from his indie-rock festival days in The Revs to gradually delving into a more folky side and working with the likes of Sharon Shannon, Finbar Fury and even the late great Shane McGowan.

'I'm Never Drinking Again' features Damien McGeehan on fiddle, which plays a definite folk influence on the record.

Rory moved to Lanzarote after meeting his wife, Cara, there in 2006. The couple now run two successful live music venues on the island—The Irish Viking and Rory’s Live Lounge.

Caroline Keane, 'Three Sisters'

Caroline Keane has announced her new album Rise, arriving May 8.

To celebrate this announcement, Keane has released the first track from the album titled 'Three Sisters' ft. Steve Cooney.

Accompanying the single is a new film shot in the rugged landscapes of West Kerry, portraying three generations of sisters moving through the rhythms of everyday life.

'Three Sisters' introduces the central themes of Rise, an album described as being shaped by motherhood, legacy, and the vital role of women in Irish traditional music.

The album is dedicated to Keane’s mother and grandmother and honours the lineage of women whose resilience and creativity continue to carry the tradition forward.

J Shields, 'my heart still beats'

Belfast sound artist J Shields has released a new single ‘my heart still beats’. The song focuses on a period of grief in which Shields would meet deceased loved ones in dreams.

The artfully sparse ambience of the track allows its contemplative lyrics to shine through: “My heart still beats when I sleep / Who’s to say that I’m still real, or this isn’t?" Shields’ melancholy vocals juxtapose the ringing mallet sounds that chime with a pleasant unpredictability throughout the song.

Shields doesn’t follow a set tempo on 'my heart still beats'. Instead, he lets his lyrics float through the soundscape as the instrumentals speed up and slow down. The result is a track that feels both playful and serious, mournful and peaceful.

‘my heart still beats’ was produced at Belfast's Sonic Arts Research Centre by Shields and Cameron Clarke. It follows Shields’ 2024 EP Evergreen and its follow-up, 2025’s EVERGREEN2 the remixes.

Ae Mak, ‘Famous’

Ae Mak has released ‘Famous’, the eighth track on her upcoming debut album Folk Songs For Mama & Papa. Throughout the song, Mak (real name Aoife McCann) weaves her tender, Aldous Harding-esque vocals through a delicate instrumental.

'Famous' features backing vocals and songwriting from Eoin French of Talos, who passed away in 2024.

“I wanted to call it ‘The Ghost’,” McCann said in a statement. “Eoin said it should be called ‘Famous’, so it is.”

The lyrics, adapted from McCann’s own journal entries and poetry, paint a picture of quiet pain: “Someone throw me into that soft bed on the river by the trees in water / And I’m just crying ‘cause I’m bleeding / Shine on me, you divine slipper.”

“It is the haze and the space in between realities of love and loss,” McCann said of ‘Famous’. “It is scenes from the pain of being left in the thick of it, being unmet in the depth of it and still bearing hope for the love that is there.”

“The simple idea that you will always be famous in the eyes of those that love and have loved you, especially the ones who you no longer walk the same path with - you will always have played a prominent role in each other’s lives and growth and heart. Even if you are somewhat strangers now, that connection is forever a part of you both.”

Ae Mak’s debut album Folk Songs For Mama & Papa (co-produced and engineered by Ye Vagabonds' Brían Mac Gloinn) is set to release Friday, May 29 via Spacer Records.

Rita Perry, 'Atrapada'

Rita Perry’s debut EP Kill Your Darlings is out now, and its opening track ‘Atrapada’ begs a listen.

The new song from the Irish-Catalan singer captures her bilingual perspective. It was created between her family home in Ireland and Barcelona, and Perry sings in both English and Catalan on the track.

The thoughtful lyrics are supported by the gentle strums of Jonny Pickett (banjo) and the gliding strings of Peter Broderick (strings) and Caimin Gilmore (double bass). Throughout the EP, Pep Gol can be heard on trumpet. And her father, Robbie Perry of Dead Can Dance, joins her on percussion.

“It’s a song that looks straight at that tension and doubt in my sense of belonging and authenticity,” Perry said of ‘Atrapada’. “The speaker in this song questions what it means to be understood.”

“There’s a growing claustrophobic feeling. The switching of words feels confused and overwhelmed.”

Given that “atrapada” translates to “trapped”, that claustrophobia is certainly fitting. Perry herself produced the sensitive and understated track, whose wispy wistfulness is sincere and compelling.

Megan Burke, 'Prove Me Right'

Megan Burke is back with new single ‘Prove Me Right’, a slick, groovy track that turns her misery into something danceable. The catchy and brutally candid song was co-written by Alan Roy Scott (Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper, Luther Vandross) and produced by Erlend Johansen Slaatsveen.

The pop-soul songstress was inspired by her negative dating experiences to create the track.

“I’ve had some pretty bad relationships in the past that scarred and scared me and I vowed to be single forever,” Burke said of her inspiration for the track. “After a few years I wanted to dip the toe back into dating, but on these dates, I just couldn’t believe a word that came out of any of these men’s mouths.”

“They all say they are ‘one of the good guys’ and ‘not like the rest’ at the start but after a while they turn out to be exactly like the others. I now have a self-fulfilling prophecy that all men are the same.”

‘Prove Me Right’ is the penultimate single from Burke's debut EP, which will release later this year. In the meantime, she is running a social media campaign to support Olivia Dean’s upcoming Dublin shows.

Dubh Lee, 'FUFO'

'FUFO' blends warm acoustic folk with alt-pop textures to capture the feeling of being "lost at sea without prospects," said Dubh Lee.

Drawing inspiration from Elliot Smith and Peach Pit, the track is both intimate and anthemic. Produced by John Leader, it features wooden chair percussion and slide guitar played on a makeup bottle. It's a track that explores the feelings of uncertainty and emotional overwhelm.

Dubh Lee is an Irish alt-pop folk artist with a reputation for heartfelt songwriting, and dynamic live. 'FUFO' is her first single of this year.

Tommy Cullen, 'Song 4 Juliet'

Dublin indie artist Tommy Cullen has released 'Song 4 Juliet', a sweet guitar-driven folk-tinged love song, part of Cullen's upcoming 4-track EP.

He began his journey into the Dublin music scene as the frontman of an alternative rock/psychedelic band The False and the Fair, before kicking off his solo career. Having steadily been growing a following with his versatile musical approach, he has solidified himself as one of Ireland's most promising upcoming acts.

Recorded, performed, and produced by Tommy Cullen, the song was mastered by Marcus Jay. Its release precedes Cullen’s upcoming Dublin show, set to take place in Lost Lane on March 29. The single will debut live at the show.

Lemoncello, ‘Articulate Animal’

The first single to be taken off Lemoncello’s upcoming album Perfect Place, ‘Articulate Animal’ opens the new record with a solo vocal over a cello drone, imbuing the project in the group’s signature eerie feeling, before slowly building into more layered production of electronic percussion, synths, and cellos.

Lemoncello’s Laura Quirke says this about the album: “In the past I think I’ve abandoned songs a little bit too soon. I hid behind flowery language instead of getting to the heart of the thing. With this album we wanted to express things that are difficult and messy. Sometimes to be clear emotionally you need to be abstract lyrically but you can’t be afraid to take everything off and just stand there completely vulnerable.”

Florence Road, ‘Hanging Out To Dry’

The opener to Florence Road’s new EP Spring Forward, out now, ‘Hanging Out To Dry’ is a cinematic and beautifully catchy indie rock tune layered with glistening guitar riffs, transporting melodies and honey-smooth vocals.

Speaking of their new EP, the band said: “At its core, Spring Forward is about relationships, the ups and downs, the ones you want to forget and the ones you never want to let go of. It lives in that space between love, loss and the slow realisation that not everything you lose was meant to stay. It’s about being young and discovering love in all the ways, looking back, and figuring out which people and moments actually stick with you.”

Cable Boy, ‘Drought’

Dublin-based five-piece Cable Boy release their new single ‘Drought’, coming from their upcoming debut album Forever. Showcasing the band's shoegaze influence through reverb drenched guitar tones, swelling synths and lo-fi production, the track also keeps the energetic drive which defines their sound.

Talking about the single, frontman Semilore Olusa explains: “‘Drought’ chronicles the end of a relationship. The dying embers of a passionate flame that once engulfed everything has since fizzled to nothing. Both sides question how they got here and if there is still any love left. It's born out of frustration and sadness about not being able to fix things.”

Dead Goat ‘Anyway The Wind Blows’

Irish supergroup Dead Goat, featuring Malojian’s Stevie Scullion, The Lost Brothers’ Mark McCausland, the Basement’s Declan McManus and Hot Press fave Matt McGinn, today release their debut self-titled album, and its gorgeously bluesy opener ‘Anyway The Wind Blows’. With delicate guitar riffs, gritty chords and magnificently compelling vocal melodies, the track opens an album that was described as full of warmth, wit and grit by Hot Press.

Somewhere North, 'Easy'

Kilkenny native producer duo Somewhere North blend electronic-infused indie pop with experimental alternative rock sounds.

Gary O’Neill and Geoff Warner Clayton have been musical collaborators since their teenage years. Geoff has worked with the likes of Gavin James, Kingfishr, and has performed with some of Ireland's beloved artists such as Lisa Hannigan and James Vincent McMorrow, while Gary has made his mark as a singer-songwriter with +1,000,000 streams, including his hit single 'Petals'.

'Easy' features a wide palette of percussion sounds, nicely complementing Somewhere North's versatile production skills. Offering a unique twist and fusion of contemporary alt-rock, this single draws inspiration from the distinct anthemic sound of Sam Fender, and the ambient folk experimentation of Bon Iver.

Chase Nova Band, 'Here Comes The Guillotine'

Chase Nova Band are known for their punchy political lyrics with a driving, yet groovy soundscape. The five piece made up of James Peppard (Drums), Josh Meakin (Lead Guitar), Georgia Lynch (Keys/BV’s), Ken Tuothy (Bass), and Chase Nova (Lead vocal/Acoustic Guitar), blend a wide range of genres, including Arabic-inspired melodies and leading pop sensibilities.

'Here Comes To Guillotine' is no different, fusing sharp, authentic lyricism with a strong driving base, punchy drums, and incredible theatrical vocals and harmonies.

Recorded and produced by Chase Nova Band, the song was mixed by the band's bassist Tuothy and mastered by Fergal Davis.

Chase Nova Band are currently self-producing their debut album, with more information about the release set to come out later this year.

Wallfella & hikii, ‘Drugs’

Rapper Wallfella and producer hikii have released the new collaborative single ‘Drugs’. The song comes after Wallfella’s December album The Coop Is Full, and hikii’s November single ‘Mother Mary’ (a collaboration with the artist Lawrii Craic).

The song, in addition to being produced by hikii, was mixed by lod.production and mastered by Odd Numbers. The song opens with dreamy electronic chords and some quiet plinking high notes over top, then Wallfella comes in along with the low-key, electronic beat.

In a post announcing the song on social media, Wallfella put it simply: “MYSELF AND HIKII THINK YOU’RE GONNA LOVE DRUGS 😍

THIS IS ONE FOR THE SWEET WANS 🍬”.

Mother of Pearl, ‘Roaches’

Mother Of Pearl have released ‘Roaches’. The single follows the Limerick post-hardcore band’s debut album, “So Long To Knowing”. The song opens with electric guitars and fast drums, and shouted, insistent vocals, then, midway through, switches to a slower, broader sound, still with electric guitars and drums, but now featuring much more melodic singing and less angry urgency.

“The song is about substances and the grasp it has on people at their most vulnerable states,” said guitarist and songwriter Seth Collins. “Starting out quite intensely and abruptly, lyrically Roaches explores themes of recognising that the repeated use of harmful substances like drugs and alcohol can not only damage one's mental health, but their physical health and their social life, leaving you alone with the shame and guilt in knowing that you’re slowly killing your body.”

The song is the first in a line of singles that represent a departure from their previous sound.

“This single is a big step in the direction we’ve wanted to take for a long time, but didn’t feel comfortable in doing so,” said lead singer Siofra McGuire. “A lot of change has happened for the band in the last few months. We have changed the key in which we play all of our songs, which makes them fresher for us to play and for audiences to hear- it’s also our first release with our new bassist Eoin O’Dwyre (Layen_) who has helped us feel more comfortable in this shift in genre.”

The Wran, ‘Fear Dearg’

The Wran have released the new instrumental song ‘Fear Dearg’, along with announcing their debut album ‘The Stone Man’, which is out in October. The song follows their two previous singles ‘Sullivan’s Joy’ and ‘Some Say The Devil Is Dead’, as well as performances at Glastonbury, Green Man, All Together Now, and the Electric Picnic.

The Wran are a County Waterford alt-trad band made up of brothers Tommy, Danny, Seán and Stephen Dunford. They draw on trad, punk, and psychedelia, and use instruments including banjo, harmonium, acoustic guitar, bass VI and drums. ‘Fear Dearg’ opens with a banjo over long, sustained tension-building notes, and then picks up pace with drums and guitar as the song goes on towards its racing conclusion.

Forg.ie, ‘King Of The Road’

Forg.ie has released a version of the song ‘King Of The Road’, described as “a modern tribute built around the spirit of the classic, reimagined through Irish rap”. The song samples the version but The Rattling Kind’s version of the song (with the band’s permission, of course).

The song, which also features one of Forg.ie’s childhood friends Murphy, opens with a sample of the original song, then Forg.ie comes in over a looped guitar riff, low repeated vocal, and electronic drumbeat.

Soft Rules, ‘EASY’

Soft Rules have released the song ‘EASY’. The song comes almost exactly a year after their last release, ‘What’s Left Of Us?’. The Dublin band comprises of vocalist David Dee, guitarist Brad Lee, bassist Ian McFarlane, drummer Sebastiano Toscano, and keyboardist Callum Browne, with Browne and McFarlane also serving as the band’s producers.

Soft Rules have described their work in the past as “music to dance to mid-breakdown.” This most recent song features fuzzy electric guitars and a comfortable drum groove with the Dee’s slightly distorted lyrics half-sung, half-rapped over top.

Wine Mom, 'Way of Life' 

'Way of Life' is an acoustic-rock anthem that channels the indie-rock sound of the 2000s, centered on the theme of self-acceptance and growing up.

Rosanna Harrington’s powerful vocals hold  a distinct, old-soul rasp quality reminiscent of Stevie Nicks. The song’s chill and  catchy melodies speed up and soar as the tempo changes mid-song, into a soaring finale.

As Harrington explained in a recent Hot Press interview "'The Way of Life’ is about accepting the slightly Hellraiser parts of yourself that you're learning to be okay with.’

Asylum Road, ‘Death Starts’

Asylum Road delivers a powerful blend of groove metal's aggressive punch with intricate melodies and a strong emotional core in their new single ‘Death Starts’. The single is characterised by heavy riffs and big beaming drums with visceral vocals that echo throughout the song.

"'Death Starts' is effectively about the impact that we, as a species, have on one another and the world around us. We continue to use religion as a vehicle to wage wars and conflicts,” said the band.

Sack, ‘Tag’

Dublin indie veterans Sack are releasing a remastered version of their song, 'Tag.'

The track is a brilliant, road-trip-ready tune that effectively captures a strong nostalgic feeling. It begins as soft, simple, and touching acoustic indie, reminiscent of the 90s, before gradually evolving into a more modern sound with a rising tempo.

The remastered 'Tag' truly shines, featuring a masterful and triumphant vocal performance from singer Martin McCann.  The song carries a casually emotional weight, conveying a captivating sense of growing pain and longing, like a more nostalgic version of work by Geese or Cameron Winter.

The Kyd G, ‘2 MESSI’

'2 MESSI' by Kyd G, immediately captures the listener with its unique bounce and memorable, catchy hook. The track boasts lyrical ingenuity, most notably with a playful reference to Lionel Messi in the line: "You’re way too messy, not the 10 I knew in Spain."

The song features strong, clean bars over a distinct beat. The unique sound production elevates the track, culminating in a very distinctive musical feel.

Cicada, ‘voicebox’

Dublin-based indie folk band Cicada have released the track ‘voicebox’ ahead of the release of their upcoming EP Isla’s House. The EP is set to be released later this year.

One of our Hot For 2026 artists, Cicada are known for their four-part vocal style and collaborative songwriting. The new single showcases this with its beautiful layered harmonies and vocals, and dynamic arrangements.

The track also blends the band's indie-folk feel with a heavier alternative edge, using textured guitars and rhythmic drums.

‘voicebox’ is about the tension between silence and expression, the pressure of holding something in and the moment when it is finally released. The track highlights this by slowly unfolding, opening into a larger, expansive sound.

Lyterian, ‘Dopamine’

Lyterian have released their new single ‘Dopamine’. With this track, the Limerick alternative trio depart into the electronic territory, blending alternative textures with an electronic dance energy.

Electronic-driven, the single retaines the band's signature dark emotional aesthetic with Samuel O’Shaughnessy’s melancholic, distorted vocals.

“This track is our first fully electronic song. We wanted to lean into that super produced sound, and be able to play around with texture and sample sounds like we’ve never done before,” said Samuel O’Shaughnessy.

With a hypnotic, trance-like melodic loop, ‘Dopamine’ explores the euphoria and darker aspects of modern romance. The song captures the intoxicating feeling of falling in love too quickly, followed by the emotional comedown and self-reflection that comes with walking away.

TV People, ‘Concrete Cage’

London-based Irish alt-rock/ post-punk duo TV People have released their new single ‘Concrete Cage’.

Inspired by Martin Scorsese’s film After Hours, the track channels urban paranoia, reflecting on modern isolation. ‘Concrete Cage’ is also an anthem of endurance, capturing the feeling of being trapped in your mind as you chase flashes of escape, connection, and light.

Immediate and intense, the dark and frantic track highlights modern isolation and paranoia with its twitchy momentum, rhythmic drums, and melancholic, atmospheric and breathy vocals.

Cabin, ‘The Wind That Shakes The Barley (Live From The Ivy House)

Dublin producer and singer-songwriter Cabin has released a charity live single in aid of Gaza-based Irish-Palestinian solidarity centre Ionad Hind Rajab. The release is exclusively available on Bandcamp.

The single was recorded earlier this month in London’s The Ivy House, where it was performed as part of Poetry for Palestine.

The single includes a beautiful rendition of ‘The Wind That Shakes The Barley’. Without any accompanying instruments, the star of the performance is Cabin’s melancholic, breathy vocals. This simplicity gives the track a raw and even more emotional tone.

“I’ve always considered this ballad one of loss, but also of resistance and resilience against Imperialism,” said Cabin. “Including during a set for a Palestinian fundraiser, at the start of Seachtain Na Gaeilge felt appropriate.”

Jeorge II x Dok Beats, ‘Sticky’

Dublin hip-hop heavyweight Jeorge II releases his Americana-filled new single ‘Sticky’, a warm rap tune lined with hard-hitting guitar riffs and a driving bass line which perfectly accompanies the rapper deft bars and undeniable melodic flair, making for one of the most compelling rap offerings of the year so far.

Conor Byrne, ‘Using Me Up’

With the release of his debut EP Distant By Our Own Design, Conor Byrne brings us emotionally driven ballads such as ‘Using Me Up’. Coming from a place of artistic burnout, the new track delves into the exhaustion of pouring oneself into your art and having to run on empty.

Ambition is a difficult word to attach to one’s passion, though Byrne’s innate sense of drive and vulnerability is what keeps his projects so well-orchestrated. The songwriter has additionally worked with the likes of The Script and James Blake, and these influences compliment his efforts flawlessly.

Distant By Our Own Design is out now!

Lemonade Shoelace, ‘Turn Yourself Around’

Tapping into the nostalgia of 2016 bedroom-pop, Lemonade Shoelace has delivered his stunning new single ‘Turn Yourself Around’.

The psychedelic indie-pop tune will be running through your mind all spring, with an optimism that seems to conjure sunlight and endless possibilities. The single was made with Declan McKenna collaborator Jules Apollinaire, with subtle synth similarities seeping through for easy listening and overall good vibes.

Thankfully, he’s also provided us with an accompanying music video, and news his forthcoming EP Magnetised will arrive June 19!

Seán Feeny, ‘Tír Mór’

Donegal singer-songwriter Seán Feeny has once again gifted us with yet another folk track, with the release of ‘Tír Mór’. Driven by stunning orchestral moments and chorus, Feeny delves into the haunting quality of a home left behind.

“I remember hearing someone say they were heading to the Tír Mór for work, and it stopped me,” he said. “It wasn’t just a place, it felt like a force. For so many people, especially on islands, the mainland becomes something bigger than geography. It represents opportunity, but also absence. This song is about that pull, the way history repeats itself, the way sons and daughters follow the same tides as their fathers before them.”

The new track coincides with the release of his debut album Galactic Tides, out now!

 

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