2. Ibeyi – ‘River’
It came out a few weeks ago but this track from French-Cuban twins Naomi and Lisa Kainde Diaz has only just hit me. Simple handcamp percussion, harmonic backing and a run of bass notes frame this track which has the pair singing of a river washing away sins. And then there’s some traditional Yoruban chanting.

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.