12 new songs from Irish artists you should hear
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.
Lisa O’Neill / Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Peggy Gordon
Two of Ireland’s finest folk-leaning performers team up on the forthcoming Ergodos album In The Echo: Field Recordings from Earlsfort Terrace, curated and produced by Ross Turner at the National Concert Hall building’s stairwells, theatres, rooms and a former morgue no less.
‘Peggy Gordon’, an old Canadian folk song, is the second of eight tracks from the album which is filled with duo collaborations along with Katie Kim & Seán Mac Erlaine, Paul Noonan & Roger Moffatt, Eileen Carpio & Sean Carpio, Conor O’Brien & Cian Nugent, Brigid Mae Power & Adrian Crowley, Saileóg Ní Cheannabháin & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, and Lisa Hannigan & Crash Ensemble.
The album is released on the Ergodos label on 30th September 2021.
“The process of facilitating Lisa and Colm recording ‘Peggy Gordon’ together was a simple one, given the natural chemistry and history between the pair. Set up in the same room adjacent to the Hatch Street side of the National Concert Hall building, the triangulation between the musicians and the space fed into the microphones beautifully. In the quiet moments of the song elements of the stormy day that it was can be heard rattling and pelting the windows of the building. There is great comfort in the music, borne out of the stormy atmosphere in which it was created… The listener is invited in by the duo.”
Producer Ross Turner
2.
Patricia Lalor
Vessel
Patricia Lalor signed to Atlantic Records, and to celebrate has released a new song ‘Vessel’ accompanied by this live session with a string section, an ambitious move for a young 15 year-old performer. So impressive, considering Lalor is only getting started.
“‘Vessel’ is a song I wrote about how the world perceives you, about how it expects you to grow up and mould to what’s happening around you / to you. I wrote it to kind of get a better understanding of it all but it just kind of made it all more messed up.”
3.
Bklava
Leave
Irish-Lebanese and Brighton-based DJ, producer and vocalist Bklava just released her second EP entitled Autonomy on Ministry of Sound.
The strong release was trailed by the anthemic 2-step shuffle of ‘Leave’ which has pop strains all over it.
“Leave is a cry for ALL women who have experienced harassment by the hands of men – especially for queer women, trans women and women of colour who have suffered even greater. This song is for all the times we’ve said no and still not been heard.
In club culture, safe spaces are essential. I’ve always enjoyed queer spaces because they feel much safer than any other club environment I’ve been in. I respect the venues that make it abundantly clear that no abuse or harassment is tolerated. However, other clubs fail to do so or put action into place. As these spaces begin to open up again, it’s essential that nightlife improves and becomes a safe space for anyone who enters.”
Bklava is playing festivals in the UK:
4.
Rushes
Blue Ghost
As the song builds, I am trying to find something greater than the attachment and looking to make sense of it, whether it was good or not. It’s kind of like someone giving, offering help but it doesn’t land. You end up asking the question if any of it was worth it”
A special music video for the track lands tonight.
5.
A92
Swing / Duck
Irish Drill’s finest collective A92 continue to keep up the pace with members’ Dbo, Ksav, Kebz and Nikz combining for ‘Swing and Duck’.
6.
Micko Roche
Sióg (Saol)
The Waterford artist Micko Roche (whose facets encompass songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist) has released an EP called Sióg, which features five interpretations of the title track, which itself was inspired by.
This Saol version features Kaya Keating on violin, and you can hear all the ambient-leaning interpretations on the release, with different performers.
7.
Naked Lungs
Second Song
A new Wicklow four-piece band Naked Lungs will grab your attention with this live session of their track ‘Second Song’, which breaks into heavier instrumentation before literally, stopping to breath. Directed by Ryan Mortell.
The band have tracks produced by Girl Band’s Daniel Fox.
8.
CARSTEN2X
Beaucoup
Dublin hip-hop / R&B producer and artist Carsten2X is tripping nicely on his debut single ‘Beaucoup’ which features production from Chuks Chiejine (known for his work on Brockhampton’s track ‘Sugar’ and as a guitarist for Burna Boy).
A nice intro to the man’s music.
9.
ANIMWAL
Find My Way
I am loving this upbeat dance track from Malwina, a Polish artist based in Cork for the last 14 year. ‘Find My Way’ is a bright opening gambit from the musician, who got interested in music production and studied Music and Technology in CIT.
10.
Jordan Adetunji
Wasting Time
Belfast rapper Jordan Adetunji goes for some garage / 2-step vibes with new song ‘Wasting Time’.
11.
FRANK ZING
Summer Lovers
12.
Maria
BF
The artist simply-called Maria, is a new R&B pop singer with noted influences from Ariana Grande, Lolo Zoauï, and Madison Beer, and ‘BF’ features sounds of that pedigree, and is a song about the “awkward situationship between a girl, her ex and her ex’s best friend.”
Production is by Irish trans-femme producer Order33.
The song is on Spotify.
For more extensive Irish and new music coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section for individual track features.
