9 Irish songs you should hear this week

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. Without further ado. More more extensive Irish coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section.

1.

Talos

D.O.A.M.

Eoin French, better known as Talos, continues to prove himself as one of the vital creative forces in Ireland today with ‘D.O.A.M.’ and its accompanying video. The track, called ‘Death Of A Muse’ is serene and visceral. Considerably more electronic in tone than anything featured on Wild Alee, French layers synth over synth to ultimately create a stunning tension. Considering the song’s short runtime, just over 2 minutes, it’s clear that the song’s raison d’etre is in that building sensation. This is only further highlighted by the frantic and at times disorientating visuals courtesy of Kevin Mcloughlin. Taken from the new And Then There Was War EP, ‘D.O.A.M.’ proves that it’s often more about the journey than the final destination.

2.

Zeaga

Lovers

A little bit of EDM inspired pop music now. Belfast-based producer Zeaga has come out with a very impressive debut single ‘Lovers’. Featuring Meave O’Reilly on vocals, the track is an upbeat pop number. Packed full of bombastic production and those heartwarming filter sweeps. This is undeniably an earworm of a track, with a vocal hook in the chorus guaranteed to get stuck in your head. It’s fantastic to hear a genre of music usually associated with all things American reimagined through an Irish lens.

3.

Daire Patel

Moodswings

Dublin based mc Daire Patel’s ‘Moodswings’ is the epitome of modern trap pop fusion. Sleek neon production provides the track with some liquid hi-hats and a superb sub bass while Patel’s autontuned voice croons over both. Fans of acts like Post Malone or More Life era Drake are going to find plenty to like here. Despite being just over two minutes long, ‘Moodswings’ does more than enough to leave the listener wanting more. A job well done for a debut single then.

4.

Meltybrains?

We Landed Here

Everybody’s favorite Irish experimental art music group Meltybrains? are back at peak form with ‘We Landed Here’. This is a serious track. The signature autotuned vocal lines are still there, but the music behind the words feels frantic and proffers an intensity rarely heard before in the group’s work. The rhythm section is working overtime on this one, with distorted bass lines and heavy cymbal crashes wrestling the listener from the very beginning. The group has obviously spent their brief hiatus focusing on their songwriting as the material feels perfectly sculpted, with parts and changes flowing seamlessly. If ‘We Landed Here’ is anything to go, there are great things to come very soon from Meltybrains?.

5.

Phare

Most Honourable Con

Phare’s been making a bit of a name for himself recently. Having signed to 045 records and produced a stunning remix of AE Mak’s ‘I Walk’, the dj and producer seems all set to release his own EP entitled Lines Of Flight. ‘Most Honourable Con’ is the first track from that EP, a dreamy house number. Phare seems to have a penchant for slightly downtempo house with plenty of 80s inspired synths thrown in for good measure. The track, at nearly 6 minutes in length, never lacks in direction and justifies your attention for every second of its duration.

6.

Tommy

Front

Tommy is a brand new Irish indie act. ‘Front’ is the debut single from that project and it’s a broody indie tune. Seemingly directed at a past lover, the track is sung with what sounds like genuine spite. The harshness of the solo guitar accompaniment only adds to the overall sentiment. It’s the kind of spacey indie sound you might expect from Islands or Total Life Forever era Foals. Bitter as it may be, ‘Front’ is powerful and evocative. It displays a songwriter with plenty to say and Tommy should absolutely be a name you look out for going forward.

7.

Jack O’ Rourke

Myth

‘Myth’ is the new single from singer-songwriter Jack O’Rourke. It’s the first we’ve heard from the man since his debut album On The Downlow. The track is full of melodrama and poetic sentiment, with grand mythological characters standing in as metaphors throughout. Expect grandiose statements and lush instrumentation, the kind which sounds like it borrows lots from groups like The Incrediable String Band.

8.

1000 Beasts ft. Jacob Henley

Every Line & Curve

Next up is some alternative electric pop. Cork man Cian Sweeney, better know as 1000 Beasts has produced a sex-fuelled pop tune with vocals courtesy of Jacob Henley. The ambitious project aims to take a production by Sweeney and give each track its own unique vocalist. This track sounds like something Nick Murphy might have made when he was still called Chet Faker, with glitched out synth stabs and a plucky bass line acting as the rock on which the rest of the tune is built. Backing vocals are warped and distorted to the point of nonrecognition yet the tune somehow never gives up its pop sensibilities. Seriously good stuff.

9.

Hostess

Frustration

A treat for your eyes and ears now. Gráinne Dee, performing under the title of Hostess, has collaborated with dancer Cathy Coughlan to bring you the video for Hostess. The track is industrial-electronic, with heavy arpeggiators sprawled out below Dee’s wailing vocal line. The video is surrealist and psychedelic, with Coughlan dancing around an abandoned mansion. There’s something captivating in the space between the desolate tone of the track and the almost robotic movements of the dancer. The most unique audio-visual experience you’ll be witness to all week.