A lot of Irish music comes Nialler9’s way and there’s little time to feature everything we think is worthy of a thumbs up or more ears. Every week, we collate the songs that pass our writers that deserve to be heard by you. For more extensive Irish coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section.
1.
Roe
Look Who’s On Tv
A seductive slab of electro-pop from Derry’s Roe. ‘Look Who’s On TV’ is grounded in an instant sense of familiarity – massive synth-walls, simple yet effective melodies and sincere vocals marry together for a charming stomper of a relationship. Real pop potential on display.
2.
R. Kitt
Wish You Hadn’t Said
Brooding arpeggios interplay to create this dark and dirty cut from R.Kitt’s new EP Ripples From The Edge. R. Kitt serves duplicity on ‘Wish You Hadn’t Said’ – relentless building basslines ground the track in a sinister aura however the glistening synth displays feel weightless and mystical. R. Kitt is one of Ireland’s biggest electronic talents and ‘Wish You Hadn’t Said’ is another victory for the Dublin producer.
3.
Arvo Party
Tennyson
Sparkling and evolving atmospherics from Arvo Party. ‘Tennyson’ is the electronic edition of a wave of euphoria washing over you. Intricate patterns, rolling synths and featherweight percussive elements build distinctly emotive energy. An absolute treat in sound design.
4.
C.O.B, Nealo
What On Earth
Baselife’s C.O.B teams up with Nealo on a collaboration that shows development for both artists. C.O.B sharpens his melodic hop-hop credentials with ‘What On Earth’s major hook-ability whilst Nealo displays a darker side of his arsenal on some cutting bars that move away from his mellow main hustle. A sleeper hit of Irish hip-hop in 2020.
5.
Gaptoof, Kojaque
Dreamcatcher
Gaptoof‘s production chops steal the show on ‘Dreamcatcher’ through some blissful soul sampling. Kojaque‘s lilting flow is the perfect bedfellow for this texture-focused boom-bap cut built for summer evening drives with windows rolled down.
6.
Valasa
Climbing
Promising lo-fi R&B from Valasa. Loaded with charming romantic cheese, Valasa’s ‘Climbing’ is a self-aware blast of hooks and old-school R&B tropes.
7.
PDF Pockethole
Footage Of A Memory
Aural madness from PDF Pockethole. Raucous, ever-changing production and punky vocals come together for a proposition that is surprisingly melodic and hooky at its core. PDF Pockethole is creating music that defies categorisation so jump in with an open mind and fall in love.
8.
Joey Gavin
Spellchecker
Gentle guitar-led emoting from Joey Gavin. Perfect for late-night, lonely contemplation.
9.
Anode
Float
Experimental and introspective, Anode’s ‘Float’ is a number for the naval-gazers amongst us. Sparse arrangements and haunting vocals build throughout before eventually exploding into a cacophony of intensity in the final third. Goosebump evoking stuff.
10.
Cooks But We’re Chefs
Stella Maris
Jazzy, freeflow rap from Cooks But We’re Chefs with hints of jam-band funk and a whole lot of fun.
