New Irish Songs to Hear This Week

Niall Horan, ‘End of an Era’

Niall Horan has released his new track ‘End of an Era’ today, taken from his upcoming album Dinner Party. The song serves as a tribute to his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, who died in 2024 following an accident. Built around a heartfelt melody, the track balances grief with hope, reflecting on loss while celebrating a lasting friendship.

On social media, Horan revealed that the song had been years in the making. “Some songs take a minute to get to what you're actually trying to say. This one was one of those. I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.”

mischa and the bear, ‘Bleach’

Mischa and the Bear have released their new single ‘Bleach’, taken from their upcoming EP True Colours. The Dublin duo build on their signature blend of heavy beats and synth-driven production, pairing it with Mischa’s aggressive vocal delivery. A full techno-like section midway through the track marks a bold step forward in their sound. Direct and full with sarcasm, the lyrics add another layer to what is arguably their most compelling release to date.

Seán Joyce, ‘You’

Seán Joyce has released his new EP, All In Good Time (Chapter One), today. With the singles ‘Weeds’ and ‘Towers’, the Mayo native had already offered a glimpse into the four-track project. The closing track, ‘YOU’, strips things back to just Joyce, guitar, and backing vocals, presenting arguably his most intimate moment on the record. The song reflects themes of resilience and learning to let things go.

Laura Ampersand, ‘Remember’

Laura Ampersand has released her second single, ‘Remember’, today. The Mayo-based artist and composer delivers a piano-led track layered with dramatic strings, exploring the space between life and death. Amperson’s performance channels a Regina Spektor-like vocal style, playfully intertwining with the melody.

Edwina van Kuyk, ‘Here To Stay’ ft. St Kevin’s Community College Choir

Edwina van Kuyk has released her new single ‘Here To Stay’ today. The Limerick native delivers a beautifully layered track in collaboration with the choir from St Kevin’s Community College Choir in Clondalkin. Her vocals deliver a deep emotional tone that could not fit better.

“I've always been really inspired by gospel music and have dreamt about having a live choir on one of my songs, so I feel really lucky to have the choir from St Kevin's Community College in Clondalkin involved,” van Kuyk says. “They're incredibly talented, and thanks to them, I was able to bring the vision for Here To Stay to life.”

Johnluke, ‘Nervous

Johnluke is releasing his new track ‘Nervous’ today, taken from his upcoming EP Comical Romance Vol. 2. The Galway native delivers a pop-rock sound that tells the story of having hope for something that ultimately doesn’t work out in the end.

“‘Nervous’ was written straight after a night out where a friend set me up with a girl who I felt was completely out of my league, only for her to reject me immediately,” Johnluke says. “It explores how rejection can quickly spiral into a lack of confidence and even a sense of madness when trying to find a partner.”

The Riptide Movement, ‘All Works Out’ feat. National Symphony Orchestra Ireland

To celebrate 20 years together, The Riptide Movement have released an orchestral version of their track ‘All Works Out’ alongside the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. Originally released in 2014 on Getting Through, the song transforms from a rough-edged rock track into a cinematic and softer composition, offering a fresh take on one of the band’s most recognisable songs.

“‘All Works Out’ has always been a really important song for us and for everyone who has connected with the band over the years,” the band said about the track. “We’ve played it hundreds of times live, but hearing it performed with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland brought a whole new emotion to the song.”

Aby Coulibaly, ‘Control’

Dublin R&B artist Aby Coulibaly is back with her brilliant new single ‘Control’, a glistening tune flavoured by catchy rhythmic sections and delicate guitars, making for the perfect backdrop to the singer’s smooth vocal delivery. Stirringly honest, the tune features lustrous chorus melodies that transport the listener in Coulibaly’s world with ease.

Gurriers, ‘Nobody’s Coming To Save You’

Out today, ‘Nobody’s Coming To Save You’ is the title track from Gurriers’ upcoming second album, due out on September 25. Fierce and unflinching, the new single is driven by pounding rhythms, jagged guitars, and a deliciously dissonant vocal delivery, slowly building from bleak to deeply galvanising.

“It’s a song that feels hopeless on its first listen,” the band explain, “but if you look at it more deeply it’s a call to action, no one is going to rise up if everyone expects someone else to do it. We all have to do our part in creating the change.”

SexyTadhg, ‘Townie Girl’

Mixing trad flavours with the rowdy energy of classic house music, SexyTadhg’s new track ‘Townie Girl’ comes ahead of the musician’s brilliant upcoming EP Tadhg due out next week. Joyous, celebratory and magnificently fun, the tune is as hard-hitting as it is catchy, and will make for the perfect danceable track at any of this summer’s festivals.

“Townie Girl is a tribute to the strong, beautiful women of my childhood,” said SexyTadhg. “The women who taught me what it means to be an individual, to be strong, to be feminine, and to be proud. I grew up in Carlow Town surrounded by these women. The makeup was big, the tan was dark, and the River Island skirts were impossibly short. While I adore the Carlow Huns and Townie Girls, I feel like they rarely get the praise and recognition they deserve in Irish pop culture. I wanted to put them on a pedestal because they are the backbone of my femininity and identity.”

Mick Flannery, ‘Grace’s Waltz’ feat. Lisa Hannigan

Hailing from Mick Flannery’s new album The House Must Win, out now, ‘Grace’s Waltz’ features the magnificent Lisa Hannigan for a brilliantly dark, slow paced waltz that transports the listener out this world, silky-smooth voices blending seamlessly against the backdrop of intricate piano and unsettling strings.

Decoy Octopus, ‘High Speed Chase’

Coming from Ara Sheehy’s project Decoy Octopus, ‘High Speed Chase’ is a brilliant electronic track lined with techno flavours and the melodic sensibilities of house music, incredibly uptempo without leaning into heaviness, bringing an almost ambient feel to the production. On Instagram, Sheehy described the tune as “PS1 flavoured uptempo racing jungle for fans of Ridge Racer Type 4.”

 

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Gerr Walsh, ‘Ten Tonne Heart’

A laid back summer groove laced with teenage angst, ‘Ten Tonne Heart’ is the final single release from Gerr Walsh’s upcoming album Ages & Ages. Blending delicate bass and guitar riffs with gentle percussions and lush vocal textures, the track is bursting with melodic flair and glistening production.

KETTAMA, ‘Comes and Goes’

An incredibly rousing dance track, KETTAMA’s ‘Comes and Goes’ blends dark production and heavy bass with uplifting synths and vocal melodies, making for the perfect tune to move your feet to late at night, certain to wake you up after a long day of partying. With thoughtfully layered arrangement, the track proves once again that he is one the heavyweights of Irish dance and electronic music.

Dose, 'Arvo'

Alternative rock band Dose have released their new single, ‘Arvo’. It serves as the focus track of their debut EP, Sycophantic,  closing out the EP by zooming out into something more existential and darkly funny.

Built around repetitive hooks, wiry guitars, driving rhythms, and dry humour, the track leans into contradiction. The result is one of the band’s most deceptively catchy songs to date. 

Seánie Bermingham, 'El Dorado'

Seanie Bermingham’s new single, ‘El Dorado,’ is one for fans of Sufjan Stevens and Adrianne Lenker.

​His debut album, The First Telling, is led by this track, and it’s easy to see why.

​‘El Dorado’ explores a time he spent backpacking through South America, following themes of his journey to find stillness within himself, a search for something steady to hold on to, and the beauty in the search, all filtered through memory, giving it a dreamlike quality.

It's a deeply personal debut that drifts between past and present. Throughout there are sounds of birds chirping, and his father driving a tractor outside of the cowshed he recorded in, making the farm and nature as much of an instrument as anything else on the album.

Eva St Maria, 'Heartache, Baby!'

Written in the immediate aftermath of a breakup, Eva St Maria’s new single, ‘Heartache Baby!’captures grief as it unfolds unfiltered, and uncertain, and finally accepted. 

The single finds Irish singer-songwriter at a turning point, tracing the emotional shift between holding onto hope and confronting the reality of loss. 

Built around a cinematic blend of strings, and soaring vocals, the track fuses nostalgic 90s rock textures with modern indie-pop and country influences. Produced between Dublin and Berlin, it builds towards an emotionally charged final chorus that lands like release rather than collapse. 

The Last Party, 'Jimmy'

Scottish/Irish indie-rock duo The Last Party released their powerful new single, ‘Jimmy’.

Blending atmospheric guitars, driving baselines, and swirling synth textures, the track marks a striking new chapter for the duo.

‘Jimmy’ stands out as one of their most ambitious and socially conscious tracks to date. The single incorporates the sampled words of legendary Scottish trade union leader Jimmy Reid, adding historical weight and urgency to the band’s sounds. 

With a cinematic soundscape and thought-provoking message, ‘Jimmy’ captures the band’s ability to merge introspective storytelling with expansive, immersive production.

Jester, 'Talking In Your Sleep'

Jester’s new single, ‘Talking In Your Sleep’, is a dark, melodic guitar-driven track with a hazy late-night atmosphere, built around delay-soaked riffs, pulsing rhythm, and a huge singalong hook that lingers long after the song ends. 

Jester offers a place for the old school, showing that rock’n roll still exists and is very much alive. There’s still a place in the music world for guitar music written by five friends in a shed that's not in any way manufactured.

Tanya O, 'Kingdom Come'

The Irish singer-songwriter from Kerry, Tanya O has released her new single ‘Kingdom Come’, from her upcoming debut album. 

The single was inspired by Irish pride, community spirit, GAA culture, and that special feeling of instantly recognising another Irish person abroad no matter where in the world you are.

It’s a celebration of home, identity, and the connection Irish people carry with them everywhere. 

“I wanted to write a song that feels like home no matter where you are in the world”, said Tanya.

“Kingdom Come is about pride, connection, and never forgetting where you come from. I think we all recognise an Irish person abroad and before we know it the laughs begin, the slagging starts and we are all instantly brought back to our roots”.

Softdrink Millionaire, ‘Good Enough’

Composed of Josh Fortune, Joseph Dillon, and Tombo Earls, the Bray-based alternative rock trio Softdrink Millionaire has returned with their latest track, ‘Good Enough’. This new release serves as an ideal soundtrack for a relaxed summer, defined by its playful and engaging atmosphere. The band expertly blends a laid-back indie aesthetic with evocative instrumentation and lighthearted lyrical themes that capture the essence of teenage life and angst. Like a cross between Tally Hall and Mac DeMarco, this song features a sound that bridges the gap between the high-energy bursts of post-rock and the chill sound of slacker-rock.

Goldbug, ‘Aqueduct’

Goldbug's latest offering, ‘Aqueduct’, features a hazy, soft vocal performance set against a backdrop of sweeping strings, brass accents, and dusty mellotrons. The track evokes a sense of contemplative lightness, reminiscent of running through open fields.

The creative project of Irish and French musician Danilo Ward, Goldbug is inspired by forgotten landscapes and the creatures that dwell within them. Similar to Big Thief, and Sufjan Stevens, Ward’s music seamlessly integrates art rock with neoclassical elements and lo-fi electronic sounds.

"I’m always craving the stillness and the calm of rural places," says Danilo. "That’s where I came from. I wrote this track about those little moments of peace where you think to yourself 'I could die happy right now'. A feeling of things being perfect and falling into place, and that’s enough. That moment is like a wave of stillness crashing on your shore. But the tide pulls out eventually, and waking up the next day, I just forget it ever happened. Here I am reminding myself of it.’’

Shobsy, ‘Silver Line Livin’

Irish pop artist Shobsy has unveiled his latest single, ‘Silver Line Livin’, an upbeat and optimistic track that blends elements of disco, alternative pop, and dance. The song is a fun and engaging bop that radiates a hopeful and exciting energy.

"I wanted to capture a feeling of defiant optimism with 'Silver Line Livin'", says Shobsy. "To love your own life is deceptively difficult. Part of my journey as an artist is learning to allow myself to assume any role I wish to play. To constantly search out and not shy away from positive change and become more comfortable with being the lead character in my own story."

Papa Boyle, ‘Hello (How The Fuck Do You Know Me?)’

Dublin singer-songwriter Papa Boyle new single, 'Hello (How The Fuck Do You Know Me?)' embodies chaotic storytelling in a song. This focus track from his debut EP, We Can Clear a Strange Devide, blends vintage warmth reminiscent of Elvis Presley with a sharp, modern indie sensibility. The song blends energy, character and storytelling. Boyle channels humour and strangeness into an energetic, playful track about a random run in with a stranger at a chipper. 

Rattling Ark, ‘Coleraine Jig’

An evocative blend of contemporary folk and experimental textures, ‘Coleraine Jig’ finds Rattling Ark operating at the height of their powers. Led by Kevin Murphy’s haunting cello, the track’s atmospheric building creates growing excitement. These traditional jig structures are reimagined through a lens of zither-inflected psychedelia and driving percussion. It’s a hypnotic preview of their forthcoming debut album, Top of a Mountain, capturing a sound that feels both deeply rooted in Irish trad and modernity.

Gráinne Duffy, 'What Am I Supposed To Do?'

Gráinne Duffy's 'What Am I Supposed To Do?', the title track from her sixth album, is a blast of pure blues-rock authority. Recorded in LA during the January 2025 fires, this song is a piece of angsty country bar music through which Duffy observes the world. Drawing comparisons to Shania Twain-meets-Alanis Morissette country twang, this is the sound of an artist grappling with the world and delivering nine tracks of blues-rock gold.

Lauren Wallace, ‘Mr Saving Grace’

17 year old Lauren Wallace combines a contemporary pop sensibility with deep emotional resonance, similar to Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams while remaining firmly rooted in the Irish tradition of storytelling. ‘Mr Saving Grace’ is a blend of alternative indie and pop-rock, features catchy beats and explores themes of teenage angst and early romance, reminiscent of Florence Road.

"As much as I adore a good ballad, I just didn't feel like writing another sad song because I think letting yourself realise that things don't have to hurt to be important is such an essential thing to learn. In my opinion at least, it's always better to miss something that to keep letting it chip away at you."

Audrey, ‘Real Life (2026 Mix)’

Audrey has unveiled a 2026 mix of her track 'Real Life,' originally featured on her 2022 debut album, Fire in your Soul. Written by Audrey herself, the song is an inspiring and high-energy anthem that blends rhythm and blues with a funky sensibility. The track highlights her authentic vocal delivery and remains a standout example of her signature sound.

The 2 Johnnies, 'South Tipp To Sydney'

The 2 Johnnies return with another track-trad mashup.

The Cahir men are known for commenting on the phenomena of rural Ireland and this track is no different as a trad/rock mashup is the backdrop for comment on the flurry of young Irish people emigrating to Australia.

The chorus breaks into a catchy anthem centred around a father calling his son in Sydney from south Tipperary. Although light-hearted on the surface, the song tackles themes of emigration and longing in a classic Irish way of using ‘craic’ as a shield where serious or uncomfortable topics are deflected using humour.

Pa Sheehy, 'Diamond'

Kerry-based singer-songwriter Pa Sheehy has released his third single this year, ‘Diamond’.

The track blends elements of traditional music from his homeplace of Dingle along with elements of Americana music. It was written during a period spent in isolation in the hills of Kerry, where the singer said he reconnected with songwriting and storytelling. A rugged and raw vocal performance from Sheehy perpetrates a feeling of isolation that permeates a melodic arrangement of string instruments.

“Our belief about ourselves can be so off and negative so this song is a reminder to you that you are beautiful, strong and worthy of all the beautiful things in this life,” Sheehy said.

Absolute Lilt, 'P Stands for Paddy'

P stands for Paddy is the debut single from the trad lilting duo Absolute Lilt. The duo who recently signed for Heavenly Records, is made up of friends Lisa Canny and Niamh Hinchy who rose to fame on social media in mid-2023 as their unique, lilting harmonies gained massive traction on TikTok and Instagram. This release is a Balearic take on the classic Irish folk tune ‘P stands for Paddy’ originating in the 1800’s.

The vocals are a standout as the duo do not bear the shackles of traditional music yet portray the song's roots proudly. Harmonic and hypnotic lilting between the chorus and versus top off a fun and unique take on a traditional folk classic.

YINYANG, ‘Think About It’

Belfast-artist, YINYANG has released her latest single, ‘Think About It’, as a bold, uninhibited expression of optimism.

The track draws on inspiration from the 90’s rave culture hallmarked by artists like Slayyter, and The Prodigy.

The Belfast artist is known for her frantic, immersive audio-visual live performance and looks set to perform the new track at Forbidden Fruit on May 30.

Brian Horgan, 'It's Still You'

'It's Still You' is one of a number of stand out tunes from Brian Horgan's new album Start Again.

While the record shapeshifts between a number of genres from ‘It’s Still You’ is a powerful, piano backed showtune with a roof raising chorus.

Brian Horgan shows a lot of range with the rest of this album record with quality executions of a variety of genres.

Barry J Walsh, 'Star Ride'

Barry J Walsh has released his new single ‘Star Ride’, a jangly pop-rock track that draws inspiration from David Bowie and The Beach Boys.

Opening with a jangly guitar riff and a melodic verse the song breaks into a high-energy rock chorus, an unexpected twist from the tracks mellow opening.

Most memorable of all is the instrumental section which weaves in audio from the Apollo 11 countdown.

Star Ride is a song that brings together unique inspirations that makes for a memorable release.

Samuel Pierre, ‘Don’t Want You Around’

The latest release from Samuel Pierre is a blend of pop, soul, R&B, funk and disco showing evident inspiration from Michael Jackson who features on the magazine cover of an image with the release.

The track features intricate layered vocals over a groovy bass line, musical features hallmarked by Michael Jackson.

Written and produced by the artist, Pierre is one of few artists flying the flag for new R&B disco music in Ireland.

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