Math rock makes a return to the Irish music scene! Tribal Dance reminds me of all the Richter Collective gigs, the music of Not Squares and Cap Pas Cap that had a big hold on what was going on in the country 10 years ago. ‘Flongo’ is this Dublin trio’s debut single and features the rhythmic tautness of early Foals with a bassline in a rush to the finish.
2.
Ye Vagabonds – Go Where You Will
Carlow brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn have spent the last few years growing their audience via support slots with Glen Hansard, Villagers, Roy Harper and Lisa Hannigan. Their debut self-titled album was released last Friday and features this gorgeous resonant lilt.
3.
Beauty Sleep – ‘Until We See The Sun’
Belfast dream-pop trio take things up a notch with an indie-disco track that for the second time this week, harks back to indie of another era, this time when Kitsuné reigned the blogosphere.
4.
New Portals – Sober
Ruth and Michael Aicken are a Belfast couple who know how to write a catchy tune. On Sober, they take inspiration from the Sober For October campaign (Ocsober surely?) which advocates abstaining from alcohol for the month and the song is a celebration of the opposite of most pop songs in that regard.
5.
GaniyuTLG x Plant Food feat. Skilyt- ‘Nandos’
The rapper and producer team up again after their excellent ‘Shivers’. Like the chicken restaurant of the title, this is a grimey and experimental joint. Wait, what?
6.
JyellowL – ‘Bulletproof’
The Word Up Collective artist JYellowL impressed with ‘Cold In The Summer’ but ‘Bulletproof’ shows a new artist developing with even more confidence. It’s taken from his new EP launched on Friday.
“The song is a testimony of my own life experiences. Where I’ve shown tenacity and resilience in my everyday struggles and experiences. The EP is intended to inspire strength of will – an attribute I pride myself on. My experiences are a testament to the fact that we will all face hard times, failure and mockery but the way to get through those times is to adopt an bulletproof mentality. It’s not just music, it’s a mindset”.
7.
Laura Ann Brady – Lie
The zither and autoharp-playing musician follows up her tempestuous single Masterpiece with a brighter and beguiling track.
8.
Badhands – ‘Waves’
The solo project of Dan Fitzpatrick came about after the absolution of The Mighty Stef Band last year. Fitzpatrick was previously a member of the Last Tycoons. An album, Predictable Boy is in the can with inspirations drawn from Nick Cave, Arcade Fire, Villagers and Leonard Cohen.
The album’s first single ‘Waves’ is a flourishing folk tribute that is inspired by the experience when Dan and brother Jamie swam out to sea to scatter their father’s ashes near their family home in Glastule. Next gig? Workman’s Club on November 11th.
9.
Elaine Mai – When I Go
A new video from Paul Mahon from the Mayo artist’s recent EP arrived the same week Elaine Mai headlined the Workman’s Club. Of the video Elaine says – “This video was shot at a lake about a ten minute walk from where I grew up in Mayo. It’s an amazing place to get some perspective, reconnect with nature and clear your head. It was the perfect place to shoot the video for this track which is about recognising when you’re not okay and then trying to take the steps to make things better.”
10.
Proper Micro NV – Oblivious
Rory Hall continues his neo-soul electronic journey with a track from his recent EP Colours. I’m looking forward to hearing where this Limerick singer and musician goes next.
Upcoming Irish rapper JyellowL just dropped ‘Cold In The Summer’, a seven minute track detailing the issues that effect him as a young man of Nigerian / Jamaican heritage growing up in Ireland.
“The title is a euphemism for racism, black oppression, police brutality and death”, he says. “It is an artistic reminder that racism still ever present and has been an obstacle in the way of peace through the ages”.
The video, a short film is directed by Hermillio Opel.
JyellowL is a member of the Word Up Collective and plays the Sound House with Chris Kabs on August 3rd and Trenchtown at Electric Picnic in September.
