As much as the whole process can skim close to the torturous, few things in this er, business rival the sheer satisfaction of sifting through a full year of music in order to attempt to carve out some semblance of a Top 100. And whilst descending, close-ended lists of this kind are almost exclusively arbitrary exercises nullified by good ol’ subjectivity, there’s something intrinsically important about taking a broader snapshot of music released in the twelve months just gone, offering up our very own take on what stood out best, strongest, and most emphatically of all. Make no mistake, it’s been a truly extraordinary year for Irish music. Ahead of three installments to come, here’s part one, counting down our favourites #100-75.
100. Paul Finan – Clouds
99. THUMPER – Dan The Man
98. Burnt Out – Joyrider
97. Skymas – No Easy Way Out
96. Gnarkats – Running From You
95. SlowPlaceLikeHome – Tiger Lily
94. Wastefellow – Wonder
93. Guilty Optics – The Kayapo Ghosts
92. Slow Skies – Winter Night
91. Carriages – Like a Child
90. Remains of Youth – There is Hope Without Progress
89. Hannah McPhillimy – Ruins
88. Dowth – Seed of Discontent
87. The Shaker Hymn – Baltic Heart
86. Fears – Blood
85. Gumshoe – Ninbasu
84. Pine The Pilcrow – It’s Only Love
83. ELLLL – Romance
82. Whim – Maybe In The Future But Probably Not
81. Switzerland – Starting Out
80. Pleasure Beach – Magic Mountain
79. Bantum and Loah – Take It
78. Mojo Fury – Trying To Get Free
77. Come On Live Long – For The Birds
76. Participant – Leave Me Alone
75. Laura Sheeran – Light a Fire
