New Irish Songs To Hear This Week

Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats, ‘Café Del Mar’

Hailing from Dec Pierce’s new EP Reimagined (Vol. 1), in collaboration with Irish producer Welshy, ‘Café Del Mar’ is a hypnotising and infinitely catchy electronic tune, slowly building in intensity until its gloriously danceable drop, both nostalgic and widely refreshing.

“These are three records that have been part of my DNA for years” said Dec Pierce of the EP. “With Reimagined (Vol. 1), I didn’t want to simply remix them, I wanted to rebuild them from the ground up and make them feel like Block Rockin Beats records. The goal was to take the emotion and nostalgia people already have for these songs and inject them with the energy, weight, and chaos of our live show.“

Dec Pierce and Welshy. Photo Credit: Aoife Maloney

Andre Fazaz x Tommy Tomad, ‘SKE DISCO’

Rapper Andre Fazaz collaborates with Tommy Tomad for the afrobeat-infused new single ‘SKE DISCO’, a dreamy single mixing delicate melodies with heavily danceable beats, as well as the two musician’s hard-hitting but gorgeously delicate vocal performances - for a tune which is certain to keep us awake for the rest of the summer.

Churchfield Boys with Jessie Russell, ‘A Little Bit Awful’

Better known as Drummer Keith ‘Smelly’ O Connell and Guitarist Ricky Dineen from 80’s Cork bands Nun Attax and Five Go Down To The Sea?, Churchfield Boys are back for their latest collaboration with The Revolt’s Jessie Russel, ‘A Little Bit Awful’. A powerful guitar tune, the track is reminiscent of bands like Dry Cleaning, thanks to its mix of almost dissonant instrumentals and spoken, sang, and screamed vocals, making for a profoundly distinctive and dark offering.

Versey, ‘Wish You Well’ feat. Bernard-M

Dublin rapper Versey continues the rollout of his forthcoming album Full Circle, with 'Wish You Well', an introspective collaboration with Crumlin singer-songwriter Bernard-M. Trading hard-edged production for acoustic instrumentation, the track sees Versey lean into vulnerability without losing the direct, conversational lyricism that has become a hallmark of his music.

Exploring the emotional aftermath of a relationship, 'Wish You Well' charts the difficult path from heartbreak to acceptance, finding strength not in resentment but in letting go. Bernard-M's melodic hook adds warmth to the reflective verses, creating a heartfelt blend of rap and singer-songwriter sensibilities. Honest, understated and emotionally resonant, the single offers another promising glimpse of what Full Circle has in store.

Versey

Jillelli, 'Is That the Right Track?'

Dublin alternative pop artist Jillelli continues to carve out her own lane with 'Is That the Right Track?', a vibrant single that fuses indie-pop melodies with jungle-inspired breakbeats. Built around a beat she created herself before collaborating with producer Aran Sheehy, the track showcases her knack for pairing infectious rhythms with thoughtful songwriting.

Balancing propulsive percussion with laid-back, conversational vocals, 'Is That the Right Track?'reflects on the uncertainty of pursuing ambitions while remembering to enjoy the journey. The song's DIY spirit extends to its accompanying music video, which Jillelli conceived, produced and edited herself, reinforcing the multidisciplinary approach that has become central to her work. As she gears up for the release of her debut EP later this year, the single is an assured step forward for one of Dublin's emerging alternative pop voices.

Jillelli

Walshy, 'Cheers Man

Dublin-based artist and producer Walshy has released his first electronic instrumental track that beautifully captures the feeling of summer in Ireland. Beginning with a chirpy synth sequence and building toward deeper, robotic rhythms, ‘Cheers Man’ takes listeners on a journey, inviting them to dance.

In the second half, bouncy bass lines deliver the audience to a snippet of chatter and laughter, evoking oneness with the landscape Walshy has created.

“If you like Daniel Avery and a load of chill house / arpeggiating meandering synths and basslines you might like this,” said Walshy. “It’s one of the many sonic worlds included on my second album out later this year.”

Walshy

Bloom BD, 'Underground'

Irish alt-rockers Bloom BD have released their riff-driven single, ‘Underground’ today.  The three-piece Dublin band’s latest song explores the styles of their inspirations – Oasis, Wunderhorse, The Stone Roses and Fontaines D.C.

Beginning with that strong riff and growing in power, the song’s infectious lyrics weave in and out, creating what stands as a strong addition to the rising band’s catalogue.

"'Underground' is a song that mixes a melancholic mood with a steady sense of energy," said the artists. "It keeps moving forward, building its atmosphere through driving rhythms and layered guitars. The song balances a reflective mood with an underlying energy that keeps it moving from start to finish."

Bloom BD

Animal Animal, 'To Kill a Thespian'

Heavy post-rock quartet, Animal Animal return with a striking new single off their debut album Wrong Party, released today. The Clare-based group finds inspiration from Japanese jazz fusion and anime opening themes, making the track their own with their distinct post-rock sound. The song blends towering riffs and harmonies to create an interesting and upbeat piece.

“’Thespian’ is one of the more musically complex songs on the record,” said guitarist, Saul Kenny. One of the more notable techniques we used was stacking and harmonising chords on top of the foundational ones for the chorus.”

“Admittedly, Thespian is the most difficult song to perform live for all four of us, but somehow the most fun.”

Animal Animal

DAGDA, 'Good Man'

DAGDA, a new musical and artistic collective in Dublin, created by poet Leon Dunne and former bassist of The Verve Simon Jones, have released their second single, ‘Good Man.’ The band seeks to blend traditional Irish music with rock, folk, blues and jazz while featuring spoken word. ‘Good Man’ includes poetry from Leon Dunne against a backdrop of music from various artists. Cello, drums, and gentle singing seamlessly integrate into an immersive, multi-dimensional piece.

The track continues the collective’s debut album MONGRAL, with new tracks scheduled for monthly release throughout the year.

“The project represents the coming together of different voices, traditions and disciplines,” said Dunne. “A space where poetry and music breathe with and through each other in perfect balance.”

Brother Vice 'Home Forever'

Rockers Brother Vice release their tribute to the Irish diaspora living abroad ‘Home Forever’. Moving away from their typical guitar-driven anthems, the song incorporates country and folk influences. The song captures the emotional weight of distance and longing while maintaining an optimistic tone with the upbeat chorus and melody. With the simplicity of the sing-along chorus, it’s bound to be a song for car-trips and summer evenings.

Brother Vice Photo Credit: Skeet 89/Peter Whelan

Asophonics 'Day Dream'

Folk-rock duo Asophonics have released their debut EP Colours Keep Changing. An entirely self-recorded and produced project, the fusion band that were voted 'Local Hero' by Hot Press and KCLR, channel relaxed harmonies into their song ‘Day Dream’. A track that builds with intensity, supplemented by heavy instrumentation, every iteration of the chorus brings a new wave of intensity. The build begins slow with acoustic guitar, amplified by electric guitar and steady percussion by the end of the song, finishing with a resonant “I’ve been day dreaming about you”.

To celebrate the release, they are playing a Co-headline show with Tommy Guns at Ewings Bar, Carlow on Saturday, July 18.

Asophonics

Luke Power 'Friendly'

Luke Power’s ‘Friendly’ is an upbeat R&B single with a dark yet comedic hue presented both in the lyrics and the tone.

The song captures the musical essence of his father Glen Power, known best as The Script’s drummer and founding member, who also played the drums for the single.

Also known as Badscandal, Luke Power started out by producing EDM tracks and now his discography explores a number of R&B and ‘80s pop songs. He emerged in the music industry as a songwriter, producer and mixing engineer who merges his technical and musical skills to create his original sound.

Jayne Pomplas 'Ninety Nine'

Jayne Pomplas blends Irish traditional music with contemporary sound in her new single ‘Ninety Nine.’

The single was released on July 17, ahead of her upcoming debut album This is How the World Ends, to be released on September 11.

To celebrate the single, Pomplas is performing a live show at The Cobblestone, Dublin, on July 23, joined by Adrian Crowley, Lunatraktors, Méabh McKenna, and John Francis Flynn who all feature on the recording.

"I wrote this song over Covid, in a period of great creativity…We had a magical time layering on top of the bones down in Waterford. The duduk is so haunting, and very appropriate considering this song was dreamed of in Istanbul,” the singer said.

Madraí, ‘Start Of The End’

Northern indie outfit Madraí lean into a warmer, more expansive sound on ‘Start Of The End’, pairing layered guitars and steady rhythms with understated melodic hooks. The track carries a sense of forward motion while remaining restrained, allowing its reflective mood to take centre stage.

Lyrically, the song examines a relationship nearing its end, with the narrator questioning whether it has been sustained by genuine purpose or simply habit. Rather than reaching for confrontation, Madraí find emotional weight in quiet acceptance, delivering a thoughtful indie-rock track that sits convincingly between tension and release.

Madraí

Sadhbh Keane, 'Hate Me Now'

Sadhbh Keane embraces a bigger, bolder indie-rock sound on 'Hate Me Now', pairing soaring guitars and driving rhythms with candid, emotionally charged songwriting. The track marks a confident step forward for the 18-year-old artist, whose growing catalogue has already established her as one of Ireland's most promising emerging songwriters.

Lyrically, 'Hate Me Now' confronts the fallout of a fractured relationship, balancing vulnerability with defiance as Keane reflects on heartbreak, self-worth and moving on. Backed by her band Na Realta, she delivers a compelling performance that blends introspective lyricism with festival-ready energy, offering an anthemic glimpse of the indie-rock direction she continues to explore.

Sadhbh Keane

Reevah, 'The Hardest Part'

Country-pop star Reevah (Aoife Boyle) has released her song 'The Hardest Part'. As the second single off her upcoming album, Reevah's smooth vocals ground the song and offer the perfect sing-a-long chorus. As a nominee for the Northern-Ireland Music Prize, she has been compared to artists such as CMAT, and her heartfelt lyrics and tone give her songs a Maggie Rogers twist. The twangy and bright guitar, accompanied by sincere lyrics such as "This is the hardest part keeping your head", create a quintessential country sound.

Shakalak, ‘Best’

The Irish psychedelic hip-hop collective Shakalak are back with their new single 'Best', and it’s a track that demands your full, undivided attention. Ahead of the release of their second album, Kulture Bikki, 'Best' sees the band sharpening their unique identity.

Live electronic beats, synthesisers, and psychedelic electric guitar intertwine with a saxophone line that would feel right at home at the back of a smoky, late-night jazz bar. The listening experience is akin to a sonic trip. It’s jazzy, groovy, and swaying, urging you to close your eyes and lean into the melody.

Cummins delivers lines like, "this is for anyone who ever tried to swally a crayon - / It's an up and attem anthem getting that dragon slay on..." with a distinct, spoken-word cadence that is delightfully whimsical.

49th & Main x howtin, ‘Pulse’

49th & Main team up with howtin for their new song 'Pulse,' new high-tempo house anthem crafted for the dancefloor. Featuring robust beats, a heavy bassline, and soaring synthesisers, the track balances suspenseful build-ups and powerful drops with a with a soaring rhythm that makes your pulse jump as the song builds.

"It’s a huge, euphoric, make-you-want-to-dance beast of a tune, and we can’t wait for it to be out in the world," says 49th & Main.

49th & Main.

Galia Arad, ‘That Was That’

Singer-songwriter Galia Arad returns with new single ‘That Was That’. Co-produced with Ruadhri Cushnan, ‘That Was That’ is al pop ballad that pairs vivid, narrative-driven songwriting with powerful, soaring choruses.  Similar to Gracie Abrams' more delicate songs, this piece is extremely visual, with a daringly raw quality. Arad's breathy voice captures the gentle emotion of the song perfectly.

Slowly Drowning, ‘Inside Out’

Belfast duo Slowly Drowning have emerged from the shadows with their debut single, ‘Inside Out’. A pulsating, heavy-hitting blast of alternative metal, it’s a track that pulls absolutely no punches. Channeling a gritty, 2000s-era emo energy, similar to Nine Inch Nails mixed with indie horror.

GARAGE, ‘My Dopamine (Algorithmic Rock)’

Ohio-born artist Charlie Travis, performing under the moniker GARAGE, has delivered a stunning new slice of alternative-pop with ‘My Dopamine (Algorithmic Rock)’.

Blending dreamy atmospheres with guitar work that feels intimate, the single radiates a ‘90s rock flavour. ‘My Dopamine’ is a welcome blast from the past.

Mark Hegan, ‘Shadow’

Belfast songwriter Mark Hegan has returned with ‘Shadow’. Moving away from the polished, ‘shiny’ production of his earlier work, Hegan pivots toward a raw, intimate soundscape, placing the listener right in the room with him. Addressing themes of adulthood, identity, and compromise, ‘Shadow’ is a feat of emotional resonance. The acoustic and emotional quality of the song, shows a vulnerability hard to capture.

Mark Hegan.

Chalk, 'Get Fucked (Clouds Remix)'

Post-punk duo Chalk continue their harsh techno frenzy on a new track ‘Get Fucked (Clouds Remix).’ The original song was produced with rising DJ Kettama, but the band has now teamed with Scottish techno duo Clouds to remix ‘Get Fucked,’ originally part of their recent LP Crystalpunk.

Inspired by the punk scene of the ‘70s and ‘80s and the rave culture of the ‘90s, ‘Get Fucked’ promises to add a new layer to CHALK’s characteristically crazed intensity. Building on the original track’s syncopated beats, the song brings an amped-up vibe fit for the playlists of clubs everywhere.

“Pulling from their strong dance elements while retaining their punky grit, Chalk continue to establish themselves as your favourite tastemaker’s favourite band.”

Chalk.

Ahmed, With Love. 'ACE!

Dublin-based rapper Ahmed, With Love. just released ‘ACE!,’ an upbeat hip-hop single. The track showcases his distinctly experimental sound behind his usual laid-back, conversational “sillywave” rap, with funny quips abound. More loyal to classic hip-hop, but with an almost 8-bit chiptune twist, the song delivers what the artist does best – a mix of serious wordplay with nostalgic and avant-garde sounds.

The track comes as his first new release since ‘Rhinestones’ in September of last year, which he released with Sloucho and Lil Skag. It’s a compelling new addition to his already brilliant catalogue.

Ahmed, With Love.

Cathal Mac Gabhann, ‘Everybody’s Like An Angel’ 

Originally part of the Cork five-piece Shoegaze band The Altered Hours, Cathal Mac Gabhann makes his debut as a solo artist with his new single ‘Everybody’s Like An Angel’. Mac Gabhann utilises his breathy vocals that are reminiscent of Lou Reed to situate the song in the alternative-rock genre. 

The beat that is introduced and takes over for the rhythm guitar brings the song forward from its stripped back classic rock element into a bedroom-pop sound. 

Currently, the artist is working on new music that will be coming out over the next few months, according to his instagram. 15 years of guitar playing and fronting the band The Altered hours has allowed Mac Gabhann’s tune to push into bolder, atmospheric territory. 

Speaking to Hot Press as part of The Altered Hours, “That’s shoegaze, That lack of light.” says Mac Gabhann.

“You have to reflect that somewhere. The claustrophobic elements of shoegaze, the crushed distortion, does that. Distortion to me is the sound of beautiful rebellion. And it’s fun as well. It’s a mixture of those two things.”

Cathal Mac Gabhann Photo Credit: Instagram

Handz On, ‘Dey Play’

Dublin-based rapper Handz On, originally from Lagos has released his debut single ‘Dey Play’ that reflects both sides of his identity. Opening the track with “With this type of thing, I’ve to tap into Dublin and Lagos. It’s like I’me here but I’ve to tap into Dublin too and keep this in it, I want them to hear that."

Handz On draws inspiration from artists such as J His, Skepta and Wiz Kid, combining UK and Irish rap influences with Nigerian storytelling. 

“I wrote this song in Nigeria,” Handz On said. “I went back there in December and started making music that reflected who I am as a Nigerian and who I am growing up in Dublin. 'Dey Play’ became the perfect expression of that.”

Handz On Photo Credit: Instagram