After last weekend’s joyous return to these shores, where the disco queen of Ireland re-asserted her crown with a gig at Trinity College, today marks the 50th birthday of Róisín Murphy.
From her beginnings in the duo Moloko, to her illustrious solo career that moves between experimentalism and disco pop, and the many collaborations and remixes she has made with the likes of DJ Koze, Matthew Herbert and Boris Dlugosch.
Which brings us up to the next chapter of her story, a new album Hit Parade produced by Koze and released on September 8th on Ninja Tune.
It features ‘CooCool’, ‘The Universe’, and the recent song, ‘Fader’ which has a video shot in Arklow.
Here’s a personal favourites playlist to celebrate Róisín Murphy turning 50.
Listen to the Spotify playlist
Some older highlights….
1. Róisín Murphy – ‘Overpowered’
The title track from her second solo album released in 2007, which had an disco/electro vibe throughout.
2. Moloko – ‘Fun For Me’
Murphy famously chatted up Mark Brydon with the line “do you like my tight sweater?” which later became the title of Moloko’s debut album.
3. Moloko – ‘The Time Is Now’
This song was accepted by football fans everywhere when it became the theme tune to Sky Sports’ Sunday Premier League coverage.
4. Handsome Boy Modeling School – ‘The Truth’
One of the first collaborations of many, this appearance alongside J-Live on Dan the Automator and Prince Paul’s themed rap album So… How’s Your Girl? was a stroke of genius.
5. Moloko – ‘Sing It Back’
This became Murphy’s biggest hit in 1999 when it was remixed by DJ Boris Dlugosch who gave the album version a disco sheen.
6. Boris Dlugosch – ‘Never Enough’
Murphy returned the huge favour of massive chart success to Dlugosch by featuring on the German’s 2001 single.
7. Moloko – ‘Pure Pleasure Seeker’
From the band’s second album Things To Make & Do released in 2000, which featured more of a live band feel. Listen to those horns.
8. Róisín Murphy – ‘Let Me Know’
Another Overpowered cut, the video for this track featured Murphy wearing a serious hat while dancing in diner.
9. Róisín Murphy – ‘Momma’s Place’
A once-off single from 2010, features lyrics which serve as a forewarning to her just-born child Clodagh that her ma knows all the tricks.
10. Róisín Murphy – ‘Sow Into You’
A jazzy electronic number from Murphy’s experimental 2005 debut album Ruby Blue, featuring production by Matthew Herbert, this is probably the release’s most accessible track.
