The new band that have captured my enthusiasm more than most this year, Oxford’s Glass Animals have had some great tracks in the lead-up to their debut album release Zaba on June Wolf Tone/Caroline International, whether it’s a Kanye cover, ‘Gooey’, ‘Holiest’ or ‘Black Mambo’. They were also one of my highlights at SXSW this year.
‘Pools’ is the band’s new single a percussive tropical track which burns with a atmospheric R&B edge and hushed vocals. No Dublin dates as yet but ZABA is really starting to heat up.
Stream: Glass Animals – ‘Pools’
Tour dates
17th April – Sugar Factory, Amsterdam
29th April – Nouveau Casino, Paris
3rd May – Liverpool Sound City
4th May – Stag & Dagger Festival, Glasgow
8th May – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam
9th May – The Great Escape (Venue: Coalition), Brighton
14th June – Buffalo Bar, Cardiff
16th June – The Lantern (Colston 2), Bristol
18th June – Meltdown Festival, London (Paul Epworth & Wolf Tone Presents…)
20th June – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
21st June – Ruby Lounge, Manchester

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.