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.
Bleak Stack
Sublime Crucifixion
Unhinged in the best possible way, ‘Sublime Crucifixion’ comes across like horrorcore-inspired rap born out of the west of Ireland, utilising the same Labi Siffre sample that got Eminem where he is today.
Bleak Stack are Birdsham and Squawks are their names. Their album Check or Fold will be released in Spring 2021.
2.
Josef Mac
Hope
‘Hope’ is a gorgeous and delicate electronic production from Joe McIntyre aka producer Josef Mac. I previously featured the Donegal artist in this column and Patreon supporters may have heard it on this week’s playlist.
3.
Aislinn Logan
Never Stay Low
The industrious Belfast producer, songwriter and singer Aislinn Logan sneaked out this lovely track in December, a melodic-lead song that is inspired by Phil Collins and ABBA, about following your own passions while shrugging off the expectations around you.
“There is so much pressure on us to do things a certain way, from such a young age – all our lives. Intangible pressure, words that slip into conversation, glances, the atmosphere in a room. There’s a fear that if you don’t conform to expectations you’ll be deficient in some way, when the opposite is true. I wanted to create something about rejecting the fallacy of expectations, and the pitfalls if you don’t.”
4.
Minnie Marley
M.I.N.N.I.E
The South African Cork-based singer and songwriter Minnie Marley came through with this electro afro-pop rap banger late last year.
5.
Archy Moor
Remember Me (prod. Bríen)
The Nigerian/Irish rapper Archy Moor’s previous collaboration with Gaptoof is followed up here with another of Ireland’s finest producers Bríen. I feel Moor could do more with it, and ultimately it’s the Tribe-esque beat that shines through.
6.
Rob De Boer
Please Stay
When I was frankly overwhelmed with new Irish music in early December, I attempted to alleviate that guilt by shouting out some songs on Twitter I didn’t have the time to write about including Rob De Boer’s previous single ‘Costa’. The followup ‘Please Stay’ is equally worth your time, a soulful Balearic-style bright spot in a dark January.
7.
Danny G & the Major 7ths
When It All Runs Out
The brave soul of Danny G and his band The Major 7ths released a brand new second album The Lookout last week when most of us were still stirring from the festival slumber (I was anyway).
You can check it out on Bandcamp in full but before that, the single ‘When It All Runs Out’, a soulful jazz song about government greed over the world’s resources underscored by footage of Venezuela , which Danny visited in 2013.
“I wondered how a rich country could have a population living in poverty. How the actions of world leaders, fighting for or making deals for oil and other natural resources could make this earthly paradise look like it was in ruins. I’m asking what we’re going to do when it all runs out.”
8.
Loraine Club
Stresshead
Speaking of Phil Collins, Loraine Club’s new track ‘Stresshead’ sounds like a Phil song put through a blender with Unknown Mortal Orchestra. I dig.
9.
SON
Almost
Susan O’Neill aka SON is an artist you may have seen playing solo and with Mick Flannery on live streamed shows last year. ‘Almost’ is an impressive new song recorded during lockdown in Doolin.
“I recorded Almost in Hotel Doolin during the lockdown while there on an artist residency. Mick Flannery tweaked a few words with me and put piano to the song and we sent it to Zac Barter in Australia. Making sounds in this new way has been a cool process. Hope ye enjoy the track.”
