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.
James Vincent McMorrow
Headlights
James Vincent McMorrow made the day of so many last Friday with the release of ‘Headlights’, the Irish artist’s first single in two years.
It’s always exciting to hear what direction the falsetto supremo’s new music is pulling toward. McMorrow is here placing his vocals atop a relatively skeletal arrangement, an impulsive breakbeat over which layers of synth pads and textures are built.
‘Headlights’ is a welcome return to new music from James Vincent McMorrow.
2.
Nealo
Heart Food For Hard Times
Nealo’s new single ‘Heart Food For Hard Times’ is a modern Dublin chronicle, a retrospective love story of sorts set against the backdrop of the capital. Peep that horn line in the chorus, superb stuff.
3.
Judy On The Roof
So Done
Atmospop from new Dublin artist Judy On The Roof. ‘So Done’ is one of two excellent singles from this new solo project.
The track combines pieces of jagged synth pop, a looped digital synth progression, with hushed, reverb soaked vocals found mostly throughout trip-hop.
4.
Sick Nanley
Lampin
A choice cut from Burner Records MC Sick Nanley’s new Muttonhead tape. ‘Lampin’ piles bars, tongue firmly in cheek, atop bars.
Really like the beat on this one, vocal chop sounds sweet out.
Muttonhead was mixed by fellow label mate Local Boy.
5.
Daire Patel
Sirens
Patel’s fourth single, featuring supporting vocals from Aby Coulibaly, finds the Irish vocalist/producer leaning further into R&B sounds than any of his previous material.
A shimmering, down-tempo golden cut from the Word Up Collective member.
6.
Planting
The Low Sun
A gorgeous, down-tempo progressive electronic cut from Derry producer Planting.
7.
The Valmonts
Yesterday Kids
‘Yesterday Kids’ is an empowering pop-rock tune from Dublin four-piece The Valmonts. There’s a real toe-tapping, stuck in your head infectious energy about this cut
8.
Alex Gough
Heart Attack
Waterford MC/producer/drummer Alex Gough’s ‘Heart Attack’ confronts those who have criticised his music head-on. An aggressive arrangement; sustained dirty bass hits and choppy drum fills lay the perfect bedrock for Gough’s stuttered flow.
One might wonder, considering ‘Step To Me’ (with over 30,000 YouTube views) addressed largely the same issue, whether his critics have copped that he’s one of the nation’s most popular MCs yet?
9.
1000 Beasts
Waistcoat
Another excellent single from 1000 Beasts featuring vocals from Lenii. We love us an OP-1.
10.
DJ Eugene McCauley
Put Em Under Donk
Yes this track is 5 months old, but this is the energy we need right now.
11.
Alan Finan
The Drive
Donegal native Alan Finan comes good on new single ‘The Drive’. I really enjoy the juxtaposition between the straight guitar playing the choppy, offbeat accentuating drum patterns.
