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.
Space Dimension Controller
Slowtime In Reflection
Belfast-based producer of all things electronic Space Dimension Controller continues to be one of the most unique and forward thinking forces in Irish dance music with new single ‘Slowtime In Reflection’. This new single is downtempo, psychedelic house laced with fuzzy synth basses and progressive chord progressions. It’s a beaut.
– Luke Sharkey
2.
Bats
Ergot
The second single from Bats upcoming long-awaited album, Alter Nature, is a spasmodic burst of muscular riffs and taunting vocals. Convulsive leads tear through meaty breakdowns for a sound that flirts with differing metal elements without ever settling down and giving the audience a second to get comfortable.
– Kelly Doherty
3.
Father!
Desire Lines
Dublin’s Father! excell at conjuring up sun-bleached nostalgia through jangling melodies and naval-gazing vocals. ‘Desire Lines’ plays to that strength. Each moment of the track is steeped in the type of reverb-drenched longing that lo-fi candid photography projects could only dream of capturing. Father! are a band with a realised sound that stirs up memories you never knew you had.
– Kelly Doherty
4.
Crook
Oh, Cool
Capturing the millennial anguish of simply existing, Clare’s Crook shares life’s struggles against feel-good, nostalgia drenched guitars on ‘Oh, Cool’. Hushed vocals paint a picture of daily disappointments but a nonchalant, sarcasm drenched delivery and Crook’s fluffy pop-rock instrumentation make it hard to stay downbeat for too long.
– Kelly Doherty
5.
AEONs
Welcome to the Land
Bangor native neo-soul five-piece Aeons do deliver a compelling display of funk and soul aesthetics on new single ‘Welcome To The Land’.
– Luke Sharkey
6.
Marlene Enright
You and Me
Cork singer-songwriter Marlene Enright delivers a pop-orientated silky smooth new single in ‘You And Me’. I particularly enjoy the vocal treatment, which stands out as dynamic and expressive among the arrangement.
– Luke Sharkey
7.
Fakenamé
Strangers To Love
The ex-Le Galaxie man samples an 80s classic in building a pulsing house hit in new solo endeavour Fakenamé. We’re here for it.
– Luke Sharkey
8.
Munky
Megaton
The Dublin rockers return with a psych influenced guitar anthem. Packed with claustrophobic undertones, ‘Megaton’ is a frantic number with just the appropriate amount of spookiness for the Halloween season.
– Kelly Doherty
9.
Classic Yellow
Mechanical Bull
Garage rockers Classic Yellow deliver a bouncy singalong on ‘Mechanical Bull’. Channelling early noughties scrappy rock, Mechanical Bull is a showy number that’s all riffs and infectious lines. It’s big and loud and sounds like how wearing a black leather jacket feels.
– Kelly Doherty
10.
FYNCH
Milk Teeth
Burner Records’ FYNCH has finally landed his debut EP Bookies Pens & Loose Ends. Closer ‘Milk Teeth’, produced by Marcus Woods, is a highlight with spaced-out synths and discomfiting pacing building a wall of faded sound and soporific melodies. FYNCH’s lilting flow is at its most interesting on ‘Milk Teeth’ and the whole offering channels Xanax driven Soundcloud rap into an Irish context.
– Kelly Doherty
11.
Harriis
8
The young Limerick MC comes through with his second single ‘8’, the follow up to the wonderful ‘Days‘. ‘8’ is more upbeat, in terms of tempo and attitude. Regardless, Harriis pulls off the bravado in style.
– Luke Sharkey
