The singular Irish artist has released a triptych of songs called Jeremiaaad prodding a surreal finger at various aspects of Dublin and Irish culture.
The Sligo conceptual pop auteur Myles Manley has recently relocated from Dublin to Baltimore and the absence hasn’t necessarily made Myles’ heart grow fonder for his homeland.
Manley’s three new songs, presented as a jeremiad (typically a literary work of a list of woes or complaints), follow up the triple A-side music videos he made in 2020, and features three distinct light-hearted criticisms of Irish music and Dublin with two videos ‘Di Fontaines’ and “Aran Jumper’, directed by Tim Shearwood and Sebastian MacDermott, and the last, ‘Indieboys Of Dublin’ by Salvatore of Lucan.
Although Jeremiaaad may, on first glance, appear to be an intense expression of the begrudgery all too common in the Irish psyche, a gnawing resentment at tall poppies from the artist’s native island, this is pure conceit. And anyway, why call tall what might be better described as mid-Atlantic?
‘Di Fontaines’
While DiFontaines lies bleeding in the wake of Bambino’s intense popularity, Myles puts a bullet in its carcass, with lyrics that sound like they are drawn from a Yelp review or comment section – ‘”DiFontaines is a next level New York slice of pizza spot,” it soon descends into aggression – “you wouldn’t know anything about that / business genius”.
“I wandered around the Liberties as angry as could be / 50 grand of Workman’s piss, it really stood to me,” it goes on to say to a wonky synth and drum rhythm.
Is it an arch reference to Fontaines D.C’s humble beginnings? Is it a commentary on the pizza joint as the cliché post-Workman’s sesh food? Are all employees in the Workman’s Club required to play the Fontaines twice per hour? So many questions no one else is asking. Apart from the infamous Gary SoLonely article maybe.
‘Aran Jumper’
The increasing appetite for Irish folk among the young people of Ireland that has given rise to Lankum, Mary Wallopers, John Francis Flynn and more hasn’t impressed our Sligo pop genius. Myles likens it to “musical terrorism”, this song his application to the Irish folk awards, and won’t stoop to soaking in “folky jism”.
“No I won’t wear Aran jumper,” is a rallying cry against this trad trend. FUN!
The video was shot in Baltimore.
‘Indieboys Of Dublin’
Those other indie boys are just jealous of Myles being such a sexy bitch, in song form. Myles sings “don’t hate on me Irish music blogs,” and I can only speak for myself and say no way man.
“I never asked to be a stepping stone for your gay girlfriend,” he sings while cherishing a pint in Grogan’s, the now standard avatar of Dublin city pubs.
The video was directed, filmed and edited by Salvatore of Lucan.
I’m just glad Myles Manley is back asking the questions no one else is asking, and writing the lyrics no-one else is writing.
Myles Manley live this week
Myles Manley will play some gigs with his band Chris Barry and Solamh Kelly. Support is from the UK act Garden Centre
Thurs, 17/4 Coughlan’s, Cork tickets
Fri, 18/4 Ulster Sports Club, Belfast tickets
Sat, 19/4 Bello Bar, Dublin tickets
Myles last album was 2020’s Cometh The Softies.
