• Watch: Myles Manley – Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon The Town

    January 31, 2017 - By 

    We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you would be hard-pressed to find a more fiercely inimitable solo artist residing on this small island than English-born, Sligo-raised, Dublin-based Myles Manley. Set for a 250 copy limited 7″ release on midnight blue vinyl via Dublin indie imprint Little L Records on February 17, his new single, ‘Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon The Town’ finds Manley in particularly joyous form, blending Tune-Yards-esque melodic sensibility with layered, deceptively intricate instrumental panache reminiscent of Dirty Projectors. Featuring an equal beatific video directed and edited by Seamus Hanly, ‘Relax; Enjoy Your Night Upon The Town’ comes backed…

  • Stream: Group Zero – The Pummelling Repetition Inside

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    Beyond the more post-punk and art-rock leaning world of his main project, Girls Names‘ frontman Cathal Cully has always had a strong interest in esoteric electronic sounds. Having recently finished up recording Girls Names’ forthcoming fourth studio album, Cully has announced news of his debut solo album as Group Zero, Structures and Light, a release written, recorded and mixed intermittently over the space of four years. Set for release via Belfast’s Touch Sensitive records on Friday, February 24, Cully said of the release: “It was as an exercise in my own development and it was fun. It brought the naivety and spontaneity back…

  • Watch: Lisa Hannigan – Undertow

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    A highlight from her critically-acclaimed, Choice Prize-nominated third album, At Swim, ‘Undertow’ by Lisa Hannigan is a wonderfully-woven chamber pop gem meditating on the mystery of belonging and the lure of escapism. Speaking to NPR, Hannigan said Alden Volney’s brand new accompanying video for the single aimed to capture “watery drift of the words” and to communicate that sense of floating “we felt the best way was for me to learn the song backwards, so that all around me would move upwards, not down. It took a while for the reverse words and melody to sink in — but now I tend to…

  • Stream: New Pagans – Worker’s Song/Ode To None

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    One of our featured acts in 17 For ’17, New Pagans, have just released two new tracks following their debut tunes in September of last year. The band is one of NI music royalty, featuring Girls Names & Cruising‘s Claire Miskimmin, Jetplane Landing, Goons & Fighting With Wire‘s Cahir O’Doherty – whose trademark memorable alt. rock riffing is on display – as well as vocalist Lyndsey McDougall and Conor McAuley on drums. The band have yet to perform live, but by their sound and aesthetic so far – with each song featuring unique artwork from the band – New Pagans forms the bridge teased…

  • Stream: REPLETE – Líle

    January 31, 2017 - By 

    Less than a month on from dropping Zizek at the Discotheque, Kilkenny producer Peter Lawlor AKA REPLETE is back with new deep house cut ‘Líle’. Released via Paper Recordings’ Project Fear compilation (which you can check out in full here) the single comes accompanied with three remixes from Dublin-based producer Sean Arthur AKA Kobina, Berlin-based Kilkenny producer David Sheenan AKA Vogelbat (whose new-born daughter Líle inspired the title) and Foreign Affair. This is a sturdy release with real variation over the four tracks.

  • 17 For ’17: Gaze is Ghost

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    What is the distinction between a songwriter and a composer? Where is the line drawn and indeed, what does it mean? Just one listen to Strabane-born, Cambridge-based Gaze is Ghost will tell you that sometimes one of these descriptions alone is not enough. Since announcing herself onto the world with the outstanding mini-album Plume back in 2013, a sepia-toned ode to her temporary Parisian home, her reputation has been quietly on the ascendancy. Racking up support slots for Mancunian anti-punks Crywank amongst others, Laura McGarrigle’s ever growing fan base is no mean feat for an artist undoubtedly out of love…

  • Stream: New Jackson – Electric Blue

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    Including a fair few Irish artists, 2016 expectedly saw a deluge of Bowie tributes in the form of various covers, remixes and collaborations. Now, just over a year on from Bowie’s passing, David Kitt has offered up his own tribute in the form of ‘Electric Blue’. Produced under his New Jackson moniker and set for release in collaboration with Elliot Lion via Cin Cin Records on February 10, the single takes the basis of ‘Sound of Vision’ for a stellar, unravelling 10-minute dancefloor trip that really rewards a full (and indeed repeated) listen. Photo by Dorje de Burgh

  • Japandroids – Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

    January 30, 2017 - By 

    After a three-year hiatus, Japandroids have had plenty of time to work on and develop their long-awaited third album, Near To The Wild Heart Of Life. The Canadian duo’s disappearance after releasing their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Celebration Rock, left many with high expectations. And although  the bar may have been set slightly too high back in 2012, their return is nonetheless a successful one. It is a strong comeback, with the band developing and maturing their sound and lyrics while still maintaining true to their roots. The pre-released title track is a strong introduction to the album, featuring an urgency not dissimilar to…

  • EVA International 2018 Submission

    January 28, 2017 - By 

    Ireland’s biennial international art extravaganza EVA International was a huge success last summer in Limerick, attracting over 100,000 – you can read our review of the festival here. Entitled Still (the) Barbarians and curated by Cameroon-born Koyo Kouoh, the biennial was a response to the year that saw Ireland celebrate and remember the centenary since The Rising. Submission for next year’s event, curated this time by Columbian Inti Guerrero, are open until January 31st – full details here. Only 15 months till we get to see what’s in store!