Best of 2025 | Albums | Guestlists | Irish Albums | Irish songs |
The Irish musician, songwriter and soon to be book author. Ailbhe has recently started a really good Substack, and is working on novel and has a new album Kiss Big out on January 30th, featuring the singles ‘Align’ and ‘So Quickly Baby’.
Ailbhe plays The Button Factory, Dublin on May 8th 2026.
Ailbhe was a guest on the podcast this past summer.
1.
Lily Allen – Ruminating
My obsession with this album endures. This track following ‘West End Girl’ is like a kick. It feels like a shock, as Allen traverses from the dreamy romance to the break down of the relationship. Allen repeatedly singing “what a line, what a fucking line, what a fucking line” was my musical moment of the year.
2.
CMAT – Running/Planning
The first release from CMAT’s incredible third album Euro Country. Love the lyrics that let CMAT’s unique turn of phrase shine while heartbreak bubbles underneath. Not just the demise of a relationship, but the exhaustion of always pushing to get ahead just to stay afloat.
3.
Iona Zajac – Anton
From her phenomenal new album Bang. The lyrics are stunning. I worry if I begin quoting lyrics I’ll end up writing out the entire song. Perfect performance and production.
4.
Lily Allen – West End Girl
The first track from Allen’s groundbreaking new album is like something from a novel (she cites A Grand Don’t Come For Free as an influence). She manages to sum up an entire love story and sow two seeds of doubt all within a few brief stanzas. She brings us along to building a perfect life in New York before catapulting us back to a hotel in London, as her husband rings to renegotiate the terms of their relationship, thus setting up the rest of the record’s story.
5.
Smerz – You Got Time and I Got Money
Heard this in my hairdressers in London a little while ago and have been obsessed. Couldn’t believe it was released this year. There’s something Mazzy Star-ish about it that makes me feel like I’ve heard it before, but exciting about it that makes it feel like a fresh discovery.
6.
Chappell Roan – Subway
Ah yeah, she’s got a way.
7.
Pink Pantheress – Illegal
I am surprised by how much I like this. But I do.
8.
MayKay – Dating Shit
MayKay’s self-titled debut solo record didn’t disappoint. This song has lived in my head ever since release.
9.
Rosalía – Berghain
The pounding kick-drum bleeds into a dreamy breakdown … arranged with just the right injection of eccentricity.
10.
Pulp – Spike Island
First release in a long time and it did not disappoint.
Best of 2025 | Albums | Guestlists | Irish Albums | Irish songs |
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, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
