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.
Active
Late
Monaghan MC Active is fresh off the release of his debut EP Youth.. We featured the artist back when he released the banging ‘I Never Die‘, here we’re shining a light on the much more down to earth ‘Late’. It’s a much more personal track overall. The MC muses over “the shit that makes you feel empty” over a slick lo-fi instrumental. Once again, Active comes through with plenty of diversity in flow and lyrical dexterity. Super solid stuff.
2.
Daniel John Paxton
Meadows
A slow-burning indie jam now from multi-instrumentalist Daniel John Paxton. ‘Meadows’ taps into the same sort of defiant indie electronica as the Postal Service’s seminal LP did. The digital synth lead in the high end carries so much of ‘Meadows’ character, giving the song an uplifting edge in what could otherwise be a very downbeat track.
3.
YoungDaz
The Statement
Dublin MC YoungDaz’s ‘The Statement’ is a little rough and ready, but there’s a ton of energy and an overwhelming sense of fun throughout this bling era style. That’s exactly the sort of character that draws us toward a new artist. We’ll be keeping an ear out.
4.
Lyra
Never Let Go
Cork native Lyra has been on a bit of a roll, releasing one moody indie-pop track after another. ‘Never Let Go’ has all the markings of a radio-friendly anthem. Even if we wish the artist would push the envelope a little more on future releases, Lyra has done an excellent job of cultivating a sound distinctly her own.
5.
Fynch
Sapian
Burner Records co-founder and strong candidate for new FAI chairman Fynch’s new single ‘Sapian’ balances out the dichotomy between ambition and self-doubt. Delivered in a calling card monotone, Fynch sounds much improved and revamped over a more avant-garde electronic instrumental. Production credits haven’t been given to us, but the razor-sharp hats and ambient synth textures scream of fellow label mates Marcus Woods and ARBU. Once again, Fynch shows himself to be a more than capable lyricist – ending with the endearing “Not to take the Mick/I just to need to manage”.
6.
Havvk
The Factory
Havvk’s ‘The Factory’ is three and a half minutes of driven post punk. While much of the track is swathed in reverb, the bassline provides ample momentum and direction for the rest of the song to build upon. There’s some very interplay between the vocals, bassline and guitars in the latter verses too.
7.
Blackfish Collective
Come Over
Downbeat, chilled out hip-hop courtesy of the Blackfish Collective here with ‘Come Over’. A come hither anthem, ‘Come Over’ boasts a slick R&B style instrumental and some super smooth half sung half-rapped vocals.
8.
Daire Patel
Lost
If Daire Patel is a familiar name, it’s probably due to the face that we featured him way back last year on this same list for the neon ‘Moodswings‘. We were really impressed by that tune, and more than a little disappointed that the artist had gone so quiet after its release. Happy faces all round then when we heard ‘Lost’, Patel’s new single. This is a far more upbeat affair than ‘Moodswings’. The track meanders over a lo-fi instrumental. We’re seriously impressed with how catchy the vocal is on this one.
9.
Blakkheart
One Hot Afternoon In Texas
Blakkheart is a neo-soul producer from Cork. Apart from gearing up to support Craic Boi Mental during his gig in Dali on the 26th, she’s just released the fantastic ‘One Hot Afternoon In Texas’. It’s a warped, tripped out hip-hop instrumental. Big kudos must be given for how good the drum programming in this one is – especially incorporating the foley sounds. Listen closely and you’ll hear what sounds a lot like a can being cracked on a scorching summers day.
