This track from the Wicklow trio has melodic and vocal similarities to that of Hiatus Kaiyote, with a soothing mix of bass synths and soft drum beats, written in response to the Simon and Garfunkel song ‘I Am A Rock’.
2.
IAMDDB ft Graeme S – You Don’t Know Me
You should already know who IAMDDB is but if you don’t, she is 21-year-old singer-songwriter Diana Debrito from Manchester. Here, she teams up with Limerick producer Graeme S (also of Lakerama / Hsuan Records). The track is fueled with snappy lyrics from IAMDDB almost freestyling over a mix of screeching sounds and ambient beats. It’s one of two tracks that the pair teamed up on the EP. IAMDDB plays a headline show in The Button Factory this Thursday.
3.
Maria Kelly – Hollow
The Mayo singer-songwriter continues to deliver delicate melodies and hauntingly emotional lyrics and vocals on her new track ‘Hollow’. The soft tones of violin throughout the track further more add to the emotive tone. You can catch Maria Kelly live this weekend at Other Voices in Dingle.
4.
All Tvvins – Crash
Dublin duo Conor Adams and Lar Kaye have spent the year moving their music from a stadium-centred rock style to a more exploratory pop sound aided by a new relationship with Diffusion Lab (Soulé, Jafaris). ‘Crash’ is notable for its sombre lyrical content: covering traumatic life experiences – heart attack and cancer. It’s a downbeat and desolate song with Adams’ processed voice not hiding the desolation. The song offers a respite in a chorus that at once, acknowledges the fatalistic but offers hope in its soaring sonics.
Everyone feels great after a haircut but Jake Hurley felt so good that he wrote a song about it and a tongue-in-cheek catchy one at that. The video was directed by Zak Milofsky.
6.
Blue Americans – Bull On Venice Beach
Paris/Belfast duo Daniel Morgan Ball and Kris Platt were former members of Belfast alt-rock band More Than Conquerors. Two years later, they have returned with a very different sound ‘Bull On Venice Beach’ is markedly contrasting in its melodically-coated vocals and bright electro-pop production. A surprising rebirth. They play Bar Sub in Belfast on December 3rd.
‘Enfold You’ showcases a more experimental and developing sound for Wastefellow in comparison to his previous releases such as ‘Wonder’ and ‘Meet Me’. The video was directed and edited by Flann Manning with lighting techniques inspired by the ’60s film Inferno.
8.
Ganiyu TLG & Lui Meme – Vulnerable ft Mike Lawal
Ganiyu TLG started the year with the incendiary track ‘Shivers’ and ends it with this soulful jazzy banger with a video shot in and around the Guinness premises at St. James’ Gate and includes a local misunderstanding on the carriage.
9.
Inner City Radio – Love
A Limerick-based collaboration between Emøly and Sean O’Mahony, Inner City Radio follow up the digital blues of ‘S.O.S’ with a soulful live track ‘Love’.
This track by Dublin native Anthony McGeown is a collaboration with Overhead, the Albatross members David Prendergast and Ben Garrett that builds up slowly with a mix of alternative-rock and ambient pop.
