Capping off a truly unprecedented year, the Hot Press Annual 2021 is finally here – starring cover stars Irish Women In Harmony!

For a long time, women had been forced to play second fiddle in the music industry. Now, however, things are beginning to change for the better. Inspired by ace songwriter RuthAnne Cunningham, the sisters have been doing it for themselves with Irish Women In Harmony. First, the 30-plus strong supergroup took a marvellous cover of 'Dreams'. Then came 'Together At Christmas' – a song that is already well on the way to becoming an Xmas classic in its own right. It was, without a doubt, the Irish music story of the year. Tanis Smither talks to RuthAnne and other artists involved in the project.

Inside this remarkable, action-packed issue, you'll also find interviews with some of the biggest names in international music – including Grammy-nominee Phoebe Bridgers! Whether hanging with The 1975, getting near-namesake Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Mescal to respectively direct and star in her new video or earning a clutch of Grammy nominations with her Punisher album, Phoebe Bridgers is a worthy recipient of our Female Artist of the Year.

There was some seriously tough competition, but Fontaines D.C. have bagged themselves the coveted Hot Press Album of the Year to go with their own Grammy nod. Find out who joined them in the Top 50 in the Annual!

His 3Arena gig had to be put on hold but nothing could stop Yungblud making a complete cult of himself this year. The Doncaster doyen of all things dark checked in with Paul Nolan.

We knew somebody would save rock 'n' roll, we just didn't know it would be Miley Cyrus! Ed Power shows his appreciation for her flamethrower of an album.

There was a whole lot of love in the Zoom as Ailbhe Reddy, Celaviedmai, Gemma Bradley, Malaki and Bob Geldof shot the Hot Press Christmas Summit breeze with Stuart Clark.

Lucy O'Toole is all ears as Donegal singer Rosie Carney explains why she spent a goodly part of lockdown recording her own stunning version of Radiohead's masterpiece, The Bends.

Rock 'n' roll sharpshooter Julien Temple tells Stuart Clark why making his Crock Of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan documentary was both a joy and a royal pain in the ass.

Much-garlanded author Donal Ryan tells Paul Nolan how he got through lockdown, and why it's bottom of his to-write-about list.

Kate Brayden and Lucy O'Toole travel (virtually) from Wexford to Donegal in appreciation of the local radio talk show hosts who rose to the Covid occasion – and then some!

Talking of rising to the occasion, 120 of Ireland's brightest young musical things took part in the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions Y&E Series. We doff our headphones to them all!

In the thick of all the Trump action these past two years, RTÉ's man in Washington D.C., Brian O'Donovan, has struck up a burgeoning relationship with Joe Biden. He talks political machinations and rock 'n' roll with Stuart Clark.

The good, the bad and the Boris Johnson all feature as The Hog casts a steely eye over 2020 – and gives us an idea of where we're heading.

You'll find all of that (plus much more!) in the new Hot Press Annual 2021, out now!

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