Cian Sweeney is a freelance musician, pianist and producer who has recently worked with The RTE Concert Orchestra and Phil Coulter. Last year, he kicked off his 1000 Beasts project with a modus operandi of featuring different singers on each release. His first track of 2018 calls on Janet Grogan, former contestant on The Voice, for a confident slice of Irish electronic pop.
Orange Tree Edits has released the fourth instalment in the Dublin label’s edit series and the two tracks on this one come from label boss Jimmy Rouge. ‘Dorian’ is a slight departure from the Afro edit sound that the series has embraced with a more exotic, possibly Asian disco flavour at play.
21.
Wyvern Lingo — Maybe It’s My Nature
If you needed further proof that Wyvern Lingo are a band of naunce. They have followed up my Irish song of the year about celebrating the feminine characteristics of a man and vice versa with a song about the reality of monogamous relationships and whether it’s a part of our nature to lust or at least, look to others romantically when you’re in a long-term relationship. A monogamous relationship is often seen as a binary thing and singer Karen Cowley is exploring the buffers of those strict lines – a very nuanced subject for a smooth soul/R&B/indie pop song.
There’s not much context for this new UMO track but it’s a departure from Multi-Love for sure, revelling in a more scuzzy lo-fi rock buzz. Presumably, a new album is on the way.
I’d expect an Irish show and an album announcement too (IE dates are never in these lists for some promoter reasons).
23.
ROE – Wasted.Patient.Thinking
Roe calls her music “Grumpy Electro Pop” but it’s a lot less dour than that descriptor sounds. Her songs are anchored by a voice suitable for pop hooks and Donald isn’t afraid to coat her words in effects and surround it with crystalline synths, drum machine beats and guitars. ‘Wasted.Patient.Thinking.’, is a shimmering electronic pop song about “looking after number one,” that confirms her pervasive iridescent tone.
Dublin-based independent producer and DJ Dónal Sharpson or DoubleScreen released his Wasta Wasta EP in May of last year. His new track ‘Sheikah’ off the EP bears a Bonobo-esque sound, an upbeat feel good mix of brass, playful synths, afro drum beats and catchy riffs that will set you in a happy trance. This one is sure to fill the dancefloor in clubs around Ireland soon.
25.
Sigrid — Strangers
Pop music best new performer and star in the making does it again with a masterful electro-pop song.
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