A lot of Irish music comes Nialler9’s way and there’s little time to feature everything we think is worthy of a thumbs up or more ears. Every week, we collate the songs that pass our writers that deserve to be heard by you. For more extensive Irish coverage, follow our Spotify playlist or hit up the Irish section.
1.
Evvol
It’s Ok
Berlin-based art-pop duo Evvol‘s most recent single features some excellent production flair and compositional awareness. Intriguing alternative pop music full of character and personality.
2.
Crome Yellow
2.0
The first single from Waterford vintage-inspired rock group Crome Yellow’s forthcoming second album demonstrates the band producing more fresh, lively material in line with their recent vein of creative form. Excited to hear the full release.
3.
Lilla Vargen
Cold
NI songwriter Lilla Vargen‘s ‘Cold’ tackles issues of toxic relationships and emotional unfulfillment. Set over a piano ballad arrangement, Vargens cool, clear vocal delivery is laden with sincerity.
4.
Sprints
Kissing Practice
Dublin post-punk group Sprints throw a massive two fingers to modern romantic antics while name dropping Dutch Gold on faster-than-life new single ‘Kissing Practice’.
5.
Zestra
Mona’s Life
An anthem against the restrictive socio-cultural norms set upon women on debut single from Irish duo Zestra. The arrangement is a striking blend of organic, featuring guitars and clicks, as well electronic. 808 bass works really well.
6.
Elkin
Win Win
Elkin’s new single ‘Win Win’ is a compelling pop song written and performed very much in the vein of the current Billie Eilish pop culture zeitgeist.
7.
Fozsa
Patch
Irish indie-pop project headed by Luke O’Brien Fozsa continues to produce and release some of the nation’s most exciting alternative pop music on new single ‘Patch’.
8.
Eoin Dolan
Superior Fiction
Galway native lo-fi indie songwriter and producer Eoin Dolan recently put out his new LP Commander of Sapiens, it’s a super solid collection of bedroom indie jams. ‘Superior Fiction’ is our pick from the bunch.
9.
Ama Millieir
Queen Latifah
A new single from Athlone MC Ama Millieir’s 2019 I Once Was LP. Autocrooned vocals over a super sleek tropical trap beat. Millieir could be in for a very good year if his released material stays at this high standard. Video is superbly shot and edited.
10.
Christian Cohle
Breathe
Dublin native Christian Cohle debut single ‘Breathe’ is a compelling mix of electronic breakbeat rhythms, airy synth pads and impassioned pop vocals. Production is super sharp for a debut release, with some clever automation and variation keeping the tune sounding fresh and vibrant throughout.
11.
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh & Dan Trueman
Widdershins
Never one to rest on his laurels for too long, Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh is going to release a collaborative album The Fate Of Bones with American Norweigan Hardanger fiddle player Dan Trueman in the coming months.
‘Widdershins’ is a single from that release. It’s an evolving four minutes of music, one which explores some of the most interesting sounds and melodic shapes within the world of contemporary classical.
12.
Video Blue
What Have You Got
Dundalk native now based in London Video Blue gives an emotional, sincere spoken word performance over a near post-rock arrangement on new single ‘What Have You Got’.
13.
Perlee
Charlie’s Song
Navan/Berlin duo Perlee produce four minutes of gorgeous, downtempo dream pop on new single ‘Charlie’s Song’.
14.
Niamh Lowe
Weekend Mornings
Dublin artist Niamh Lowe’s new single ‘Weekend Mornings’ comes through as a vintage-inspired, groove centred jam laden with sugary sweet vocal melodies and deep, syncopated basslines. Lowe was formerly known as The Danger Is.
15.
Vance Kass
Underdose
The debut single from Vance Kass is a mix of trip-hop styled drum beats, half-whispered vocals and shimmering Rhodes chords. Solid songwriting and production throughout.
