Friday was release day and here’s the first things that caught my ear while listening to new songs out.
See the New Music section for individual posts on tracks.
Dry Cleaning – Scratchcard Lanyard
The South London four-piece Dry Cleaning have cultivated a spoken word and guitar rock combo that is more engaging than most when they try to make it their own. For the band’s first release on 4AD, they may have just released the best song of their discography so far – ‘Scratchcard Lanyard’ is a triumph of Florence Shaw’s streaming monologue set to the band’s music that rather than add dissonance, underscores her sentiments beautifully. The ingenoius Rottingdean Bazaar video also elevates the experience of the song.
NewDad – ‘I Don’t Recognise You’
The Galway band NewDad are going from strength to strength with Steve Lamacq and a BBC 6 Music session already under their belt. ‘I Don’t Recognise You’ is just the latest quality song from the 2020 debutantes.
Berwyn – ‘Vinyl’
Trinidadian London singer Berwyn follows up his Demotape/Vega full length with fine slice of confessional R&B.
Nils Frahm – ‘Fundamental Values’
Composer Nils Frahm has a live album and concert film called Tripping with Nils Frahm out on Thursday December 3rd. ‘Fundamental Values’ is a 14-minute track from it showcasing the musician’s vision and versatility.
Patricia Lalor – ‘To Cope’
![Patricia Lalor - To Cope [Official Visualiser]](https://nialler9.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/e3083416c159ccf8f7a24c4ae0c212fb.jpg)
Wexford artist Patricia Lalor is just 15-years-old and her output this year which has moved from covers to originals and grown in songcraft throughout has been lightning fast. ‘To Cope’ is a textured and dark indie song from a one to watch artist.
Tandem Felix – ‘The Assassination’
A follow-up single to the Dublin band’s Rom-Com album from last year, Tandem Felix’s ‘The Assassination’ is inspired by witnessed the aftermath of a crime scene in London that serves as a lyrical jumping off point for delving into the assassination of JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Abbacaxi – ‘Used To Keep Me Warm’
A sparkling housey soul number from Abbacaxi, the Dublin multi-instrumentalist and brother to Loah and Fehdah. Talented fam.
Hear his previously-featured song ‘Snow Dance’.
Stephen James Smith feat. Gareth Quinn Redmond – ‘Here Now Know’
Dublin wordsmith Stephen James Smith teams up with musician Gareth Quinn Redmond for a reading of one of his personal poems, the video and music for which, was put together in quick fashion after Stephen rediscovered the words he had written last year.
Laura Groves – ‘Foolish Games’
A beaut of a psychedelic-soul tune from Londoner Laura Groves from her upcoming Private Road EP.
Tomike – ‘Hit Me Up’
I’ve been digging the neo-soul of Dubliner Tomike this year, and ‘Hit Me Up’ is the latest from the artist.
The Din – ‘Digress’
Ross Turner has released a full-length of electronic compositions under the name The Din called Digress and the title track is wobbly slice of shadowy vocals and motorik rhythms that I very much enjoy.
Nialler9 Weekly Playlist:
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.
