September A&R Department: Sloucho, Fia Moon, deathtoricky, and more

“I’m completely blown way!” says Terry McNally of the new Joshua Curran single, ‘Mother’s Eyes’, and as usual Hot Press’ Man with the Golden Ears is spot on!

Out now with a video to follow, it finds the Czech-Irish multi-instrumentalist hooking up with Czech singer Kaya who, at 19, is Spotify’s youngest ever Equal Initiative Ambassador.

The result is an immaculate alt. rock song which sounds like Alex Turner jamming with Phoebe Bridgers.

Their respective debut albums – Anyway and MORPH – confirm what serious talents they both are…

The Limrock scene remains as fertile as ever with Currents treating us to ‘Back In Time’, a dreamy slice of shoegaze which showcases Bebhinn Ryan and Bess Walsh’s delicious harmonies.

Formed in October 2025 when they were all taking part in the Music Generation initiative, the six-piece also have an EP primed for autumn release and have impressed with their two Dolan’s appearances. Tabs will be kept…

Trap-happy Celbridge resident deathtoricky strikes gold again with ‘Lemon Haze’, a playful rap number with loads of cool summery vibes, a Turnstile sample and timely references to fucking up the Leaving Cert.

While the vocodered vocals nod at BROCKHAMPTON’s early offerings, the Artist Also Known As Alex McDonnell’s wit and wisdom are 100% his own. If Hot Press had a record label – now there’s a thought! – we’d sign him…

Talking of BROCKHAMPTON, former member Bearface has rebranded as Ciarán and produced a single, ‘K-Bar’, which starts out loud and scabrous and then morphs into the most chilled tune you’ll hear this month.

On the back of it, the Belfast singer and rapper has bagged a deal with the ultra-hip Ninja Tune label…

There’s a big buzz surrounding Earfzilla, another young ‘cloud rapper whose ‘backroads’ single is a real earworm.

You can catch the 18-year-old Dubliner live on November 15 when he opens for London electronic duo Bassvictim in Opium.

“I’ve been in London a month now working on something huge; must keep it secret for a little while longer but it’s an exciting time for all of us earflings,” he teases on his Instagram alongside a 3D video of psychedelic cops…

Ezra Williams, who used to trade as Smoothboi Ezra, returns to the fray with ‘Blight’, a superbly crafted, acoustic-driven song which manages to be simultaneously disconcerting and reassuring.

With over 100 million Spotify plays, the Wicklow-born, Cork-based artist has a sizeable fanbase who clearly love Williams’ deep dives into their own psyche…

Rihanna, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift are some of the key influences cited by Fking, AKA Kilcock, Co. Kildare resident Fiona King whose debut single ‘Why Do I?’ also reminds us of Dolores O’Riordan.

Slickly produced by Radiators From Space man Pete Holidai, it’s a venomous breakup song – albeit one with a pop hook that should earn her a place on daytime radio playlists…

Boy meets AI girl on ‘Talking To Robots’, a somewhat tongue in cheek post-punk workout – think Yard Act meets the Sultans Of Ping FC – from Bray’s Binmen.

Having previously released three similarly impressive singles (‘Working For Who?’, ‘Babycakes’ and ‘Shopping Local’) the quartet are currently assembling their debut EP and looking forward to a flurry of live dates…

Dublin hyper popper Sloucho teams up with London rapper KIBO on the tough-as-tungsten, gangsta-y ‘Something Else’.

It’s part of the same Broken Spirit world-building project that previously resulted in his ‘Fake’ collaboration with Gemma Dunleavy…

Kacey Musgraves and Beabadoobee fans are going to love ‘Say The Word’, the latest folk (with a country twang) offering from Dublin singer anna leah who’s opened for the likes of Sombr, Florence Road and Nell Mescal and also sold-out her own Academy  2 show.

“I’m proud of my songwriting…. which are words I rarely say,” she reflects. “I struggle to say them because I hold myself to very stupidly high standards. But it’s true, I love this song. I’ve been playing it live for a while at shows and I can’t wait for everyone to hear this version of it”…

A&R Dept. fave Fia Moon has been co-writing tunes for her upcoming EP with (her again!) Beabadoobee and Amy Michelle man Joseph Rodgers.

The first taster, ‘FIO (Figure It Out)’ also finds the Dublin pop sensation working with Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson producer Ross Fortune.

Which is exactly the sort of company she should be keeping.