12 new songs from emerging Irish artists you should hear
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 new songs from emerging artists that deserve to be heard by you.
For more extensive Irish, and Northern Irish coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section for individual track features.
1.
Rebekah Fitch
Game Over
I’m loving the bombast of Northern Irish artist Rebekah Fitch’s new single – a melting pop of R&B, pop and electronic tones that instantly grabs your attention with its verve.
Says Fitch of the song:
“You’ve lost your youthful ignorance. You’re facing the realisation that nothing in life is working out as you imagined it would, and you can’t fight the overwhelming sense that you’re falling behind, doing everything wrong. Somewhere within you that childlike hope and magic and lust for life is fighting to survive, despite the weight of responsibility and endless cycle of bad news about the state of the world.”
2.
Caleb Kunle
Here For It
London-based Irish-raised Nigerian artist Caleb Kunle featured here for ‘Call Me Mad’ recently, a song which stood out from the pack for its bright honeyed soul vocals augmented by flute and brass that lifts the tune into a lightly triumphant mode.
Now, Kunle has released his Rose Hertz EP with six tracks, and ‘Here For It’ is another bright slice of acoustic and brassy soul music to enjoy.
Also of interest, is the short film A Conversation About Love that accompanies the EP:
3.
wtr
Today (ft. Ari Imann)
The duo wtr impress with ‘Today’ featuring Ari Imann (formerly Ari.Noir). The song is dancey R&B/rap song that sparks.
4.
Luz
‘The Author’
The 19-year-old Irish Argentinian artist Luz’s ‘The Author’ is a big pop song in the style of a songwriter like Dermot Kennedy. Compounding the song’s largesse is the accompanying video featuring Lola Petticrew (Dating Amber) and Maya O’Shea (Normal People) directed by Imogen Harrison and My Accomplice in Ballycastle, in Antrim about two friends falling in love.
Luz recently did a melancholic take on Dua Lipa’s ‘Don’t Start Now’.
5.
St. Bishop
Dreaming
I’m liking what I hear from St. Bishop with each passing release. ‘Dreaming’ is his most memorable and direct pop song yet.
“This song reflects on a previous relationship of mine and discusses how not being open and honest with my feelings and not communicating properly ended up putting a huge strain on the relationship and pushed us apart. It’s an apology and a showing of gratitude. A moment to say I am sorry for how the situation was handled, to let them know that I still want them to be a part of my life and that ‘I am still dreaming’ about them.”
The song is out now on VETA Records.
6.
Kyoto Love Hotel
You Unfold
Joe Geaney and Laura Sheary’s Kyoto Love Hotel walks the line of smashed-out slow motion electro pop in the style of Purity Ring, with a gentler floaty vibe recalling. This newest track is from their upcoming EP Grow out in December. We previously featured ‘Machine’ as a premiere here in July.
7.
PrYmary Colours
Inclusionism
This disco-spun electro pop track from Dublin’s Prymary Colours leans into electro in the style of previous Irish dance stalwarts Le Galaxie for an uplifting song of togetherness, in a time when that is haaaaard.
8.
ROGAN x ØMEGA
The Ronin
Hard low end trap beats dominate this standout from the new EP Don’t Forget To Remember Radio: Episode 1, from Louth duo RÓGAN x ØMEGA. The EP is inspired by Japan and Japanese culture.
9.
Host
Better To Forget
Laois-based Host has been a regular on Nialler9 in recent years, and ‘Better To Forget’ is another lightly-spun lo-fi pop song from the solo artist.
10.
Dhiaga
Sculpt
Following on from ‘Proverbs’ last year, Armagh producer and DJ Dhiaga’s newest one showcases Bicep-esque melodic dance smarts.
11.
Bobsled Team
Drive
Belfast duo Bobsled duo create a laid-back hazy jangle pop atmosphere on their latest single ‘Drive’.
12.
Silent Vices
Friday Vans
Silent Vices are a band with an Irish connection that creates music between Limerick, Liverpool, Loja and London. ‘Friday Vices’ is a little on the rough side in terms of production but the intent and sparkle of the song shines through its melodic indie electro pop.
