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.
Neverwait.
Blind
Irish alternative three-piece Neverwait. delve further into the realms of distortion and autocrooned vocals on their third single ‘Blind’. It’s easily the band’s best material yet, a track of many layers. Lead by a warbled lead vocal, the song gathers momentum with its trip-hop drum loops and synth strings.
The blend of post-punk guitars and tap vocals is still a work in progress, one that can tend to lean a little too much toward the theatrical. However, there’s plenty of clever songwriting on ‘Blind’, it’s a sound we want to hear Neverwait. mine further.
2.
Blushing Boy
Consumer
“Can you tell us who you are?”. ‘Consumer’ is new alternative rock band Blushing Boy’s definite answer to that question as it appears at the start of their new music video. It’s a compelling debut single. Lead vocalist Ella Naseeb’s delivery throughout it is superb, touched with a ghostly reverb. Love the gnarled, unpolished guitar sounds. Too many rock groups are mixing out all of the character from their distortion via studio magic.
If ‘Consumer’ falls down anywhere, it may be that the repeated chorus comes across as sloganeering or a bit preachy. Still though, ‘Consumer’ is a brash, aggressive and generally well-articulated debut single.
3.
MA-KA
Where Were You
Dublin-based R&B artist MA-KA comes through on her second single ‘Where Were You’. The production is absolutely key on this cut, best typified in the contrast between the bright rhythm guitars, laced with chorus, and the very distorted sub bassline. MA-KA delivers an authentic vocal, sometimes giving off a slight strain only singers giving it their all get.
4.
Mani Bazaar
Dead
Anyone for some dream pop? New Irish songwriter Mani Bazaar shines through the genre on her debut single ‘Dead’. Repetition is key here, whether in the short phrasing of the chord progression in the guitars – suitably glossy- or Bazaar’s constant reiteration of the songs’ title. While some of the arrangement falls a little short of exciting, particularly the synth pads in the middle section, ‘Dead’ is generally bang on the money.
5.
Kilnamana
Song From 1954
Berlin-based synth-pop duo Kilnamana may be calling it a day, but their final EP leaves with more than a few highlights to remember them by. ‘Song From 1954’ , taken from Bye Bye, is one such highlight. Nostalgia heavy and boasting more than its fair share of off-kilter rhythmic ideas ‘Song From 1954’ is the sound of rain falling on a city of neon. Thanks for the tunes!
6.
BRÍDÍN
Wysteria
Sligo native loop artist BRÍDÍN delivers us a near 5-minute dream sequence on new single ‘Wysteria’. A harpist primarily, BRÍDÍN takes that instrument and reimagines it in the context of modern dance and folk. All instrumental, ‘Wysteria’ is the most imaginative, cinematic Irish release I’ve heard this week.
7.
PureGrand
Last Bus
Luke Faulkner’s synthpop moniker unapologetically wears its influences on its sleeve. That is, the music of PureGrand is straight out of the Soft Cell/Pet Shop Boys playbook. On his new EP, entitled Painkiller, Faulkner shows a serious knack for crafting edgy, uptempo synth-driven pop music. We’ve highlighted ‘Last Bus’, but fans of the genre will find lots to enjoy generally throughout the larger release.
8.
Kiruu
Shivani
Kiruu’s ‘Shivani’ lies right in the realms of mysticism. It’s a feature right across his Super Feo Express, somewhere between lyrical implications and his overtly theatrical vocal delivery. ‘Shivani’ is set against some drums, the tinkle of a piano and the taut sound of an upright bass. Giving the track a late-night, dive bar feeling.
9.
Strange New Places
Trombone
A new reworking of an old song. Strange New Places first released ‘Trombone’ in 2017. This new version hears the Belfast band sounding clearer and more confident. The lead singer’s voice isn’t going to be for everyone but I dig it. A blistering pop-punk tune.
