A lot music from Ireland and Northern Ireland comes Nialler9’s way and every week, we listen through it all and select the tracks from emerging artists and some established acts that deserve to be heard by you.
For more extensive Irish and new music coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section for individual track features.
1.
Daire Heffernan
Midwest Emo
There’s a clear Phoebe Bridgers influence on both the sound and title of this second single from Daire Heffernan, an indie folk ballad in the songwriter’s style, produced by former Spies’ bassist Hugh O’Dwyer
Heffernan says:
”It’s more about infatuation rather than love. It’s that feeling of believing someone is far too good for you, so you let them reciprocate when it’s convenient for them.
That experience left a sick feeling in my stomach, which is something I
wanted to emphasise in the first line of the song. I wanted to let everyone
know that this is not a love song”.You can catch Heffernan’s debut headline show at Whelan’s on June 30th, an Ep called Wasters is out on June 24th.
2.
Oliveyolive
Garçon Dreams
Irish producer Oliveyolive is a set to release a debut album on May 13th. Previously known as Olive on the Beat and featured here with an electronic-pitched track, Oliver has previously scored the Apollo Project, an exhibition curated by young people in the National Gallery of Ireland.
‘Garçon Dreams’ is a song from the album, that features garage breaks, twisted vocal samples and bright instrumentation.
Oliveyolive’s Life Of Colour album takes inspiration from the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, which means appreciating the beauty in imperfection and impermanence. It’ll be accompanied by a short film and an exhibition showing at Block T Studios in Dublin on May 14th and 15th featuring visual artists: Sean Atmos, Frenchie Stardust, Grace Elizabeth Cullen, Ayesha Ahmed, Lena Thomas and Darya Tiff.
3.
Aaron Lawlor
Learn It
Aaron Lawlor follows up his Dublin disillusionment track ‘Van Der Sar’, with this edifying new track ‘Learn It’ that finds him looking for something better in life set to a ’90s rap beat.
“It’s a track about struggling with money and the loneliness around moving away. It’s about working nearly everyday just to afford to live with very little luxuries. It’s about how people work like this their whole life and how I want to get out of this work-5-days 2-days-off type of lifestyle and hopefully achieve something better.“
4.
Alex Gough
Dumb!
Waterford hip-hop artist Alex Gough leans on his drumming technique for ‘Dumb!’ , a follow up to recent single ‘Busy!’ Don’t be dumb, and don’t be a dose.
5.
luthorist
puffnpass
Nuxsense’s Luthorist is just out there making mad-good rap music at all times isn’t he?
‘Puffnpass’ was released on 4/20.
6.
New Spectrum
Raindrops
New Spectrum is the solo project of Berlin based producer Conor Hamilton, one half of Brame & Hamo. ‘Raindrops’ uses big drum breaks and a standout vocal to create a big room track.
Previously: Irish tracks. Sept 2021. / June 2021.
7.
Alicia Raye
Sun
Afro-Irish singer-songwriter Alicia Raye is bringing the ‘Sun’ from Drogheda to the world, with this banger of a beat on Trust It Entertainment who have a release deal with Atlantic Records UK.
8.
Kyoto Love Hotel
If We Had A Mind
Kyoto Love Hotel are set to release a new EP called When Do You Think It Begins this summer. Following on from the December-debuted ‘Fortune Tellers’, the Tipp electronic duo of Laura Sheary and Joe Geaney have released the second single from the EP.
It explores being in a certain moment in time while remembering another; Spring being a time where imagined possibilities start to become tangible. The percussion is largely made up of field recordings collected during Spring walks. The lyrics were written during lockdown, at a time where dancing around a small, top floor, Belfast flat was a sole source of stimulation. We wanted to explore the effects of existing in a fixed space with another person, the idea of a hive mind beginning to form.
9.
Jillelli
Stoic
‘Stoic’ is the latest whispery gossamer synth pop single from Jillelli, aka DJ and radio presenter Jill Staxx.
Jillelli says she’s taking inspiration from Blondie, Kylie and New Order. Personally, I’d like to hear the vocals higher in the track and a punchier mix for that full effect.
”’Stoic’ is a synth-laden dark pop song which was written as a response to a frustration with stiff upper lip attitudes. The song celebrates emotional vulnerability and honesty when navigating cryptic modern romance. I produced and wrote the song with Irish/Zimbabwean producer Kevin Brennan. The video for ‘Stoic’ was directed by Kristian Mantalvanos which we produced and edited together. Stoic stars ballet dancer Christopher Furlong who choreographed the piece. The song and video production were supported by The Irish Arts Council. ”
10.
Host
That’s Who You Are
Laos synth-pop artist HOST’s latest song ‘That’s Who You Are’ uses vocal processing and a skittering beat to a wonky pop effect.
For more extensive Irish and new music coverage, hit up the Irish section for individual track features
For this and more Irish songs, follow the Nialler9 New Irish Spotify playlist.
