• Stream: Abebisi Shank – World In Harmony

    July 23, 2014 - By 

    The follow-up to last month’s totally glorious ‘Big Unit’ – a track we called “nigh on four minutes of increasingly inimitable, dazzlingly unravelling, meticulously imaginative post-rock” – Dublin instrumental rock trio Adebisi Shank are streaming an equally anthemic masterstroke, ‘World In Harmony’. If sheer unbridled exhilaration required a soundtrack, the five-minute track – set to feature on the band’s forthcoming third album – would surely be in contention. Drenched in propulsive, rhythmic elation, the track is an effects and chant-laden triumph, making us just that little bit more (ok, quite) excited about the new record. This is the Third Album of a band called…

  • Watch: Groom – I’ve Never Been In a Real Fight

    July 16, 2014 - By 

    Having released three albums and EP to date – the latter the exquisite Brothers and Sisters – Dublin indie-pop four-piece Groom have unveiled the video to ‘I’ve Never Been In A Fight’. Directed and edited by the band’s drummer Ruan Van Vliet, the video features frontman Michael Stevens in various places in Dublin including The Lower Deck on Portabello Harbour. The track is taken from Groom’s forthcoming album Bread and Jam, released via Popical Island. Watch the video below. [/video  

  • Stream: SlowPlaceLikeHome – Luna

    July 15, 2014 - By 

    Having caught our ear a few months back, Donegal producer Keith Mannion AKA SlowPlaceLikeHome has released his second single proper, the beguiling ‘Luna’. Lifted from Mannion’s forthcoming debut album, titled Romola, the track is a wonderfully phantasmal release, capturing a more fleshed-out, concentrated songwriting approach. Romola is released via August 11th via Bluestack Records. Stream SlowPlaceLikeHome via Soundcloud below.

  • Stream: LORIS – Do It Right

    July 14, 2014 - By 

    Belfast electro-indie three piece LORIS have released their second single ‘Do It Right’, the follow up to their debut single ‘I’ve Been Quiet’. Together since 2013, the band once again give us their own brand of thoughtful indie-pop that’s not too dissimilar to the likes of Skibunny or Little Boots. Albeit with a  more upbeat atmosphere than their previous single you can stream and download it for free via their Bandcamp page. Listen to the new single ‘Do It Right’ below. Do It Right by LORIS  

  • Stream: REID – Fractures

    July 9, 2014 - By 

    Featuring suitably enchanting vocals by Karen Sheridan AKA Slow Skies) Cork producer REID has concocted delicate somnambulant wonder on his new track, ‘Fractures’. Clocking in a just over four minutes, the track evolves from a simmering, shady eulogy to a fully-blossomed dancefloor jam, shuffling beats marrying gently stabbing synth lines and tinkling chimes. The track is taken from REID’s new EP, Fractures, which will be released via M:UK on August 11. Stream ‘Fractures’ via Soundcloud below.

  • Stream: So Cow – Barry Richardson

    July 7, 2014 - By 

    Taken from their forthcoming first album proper, The Long Con, Galway three-piece So Cow have made an extremely solid return with their new single ‘Barry Richardson’. A typically off-the-wall dose of slinky, guitar-led garage pop, the track calls to mind Pinkerton-era Weezer, Blur circa Modern Life Is Rubbish, the charming lyrical ruralism of Andy Falco (Mclusky/Future of the Left) and Deerhoof. The Long Con – produced by Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier, no less – is the band’s first album recorded in a studio and sees Brian Kelly joined by Dublin drummer Peter O’Shea and Jonny White on bass. According to the band’s Soundcloud…

  • Album stream: Oaks – Safe Haven

    July 7, 2014 - By 

    One for fans of abstracted, hip-hop inflected ambient noise, Belfast-based musician James Bruce AKA Oaks has released his eight-track debut album, Safe Haven. Calling to mind everyone from Mouse and Mars, Labradford and The Books to Tortoise, Exploding Orchestra and Boards of Canada, the album – recorded in different locations but predominantly Bruce’s home – melds found sounds and samples with scattered beats, brass and strings to form an impressive, nicely hypnotic mid-point between drifting melancholia and bold experimentalism. The artwork for the released – arranged by Bruce, also drummer with Belfast prog band Kasper Rosa – features a photo taken by Tom McGeehan. Stream Safe Haven via Bandcamp…

  • Stream: Adebisi Shank – Voodoo Vision

    July 3, 2014 - By 

    Dropped late last night, Dublin instrumental three-piece Adebisi Shank have got us even more excited for their forthcoming third album with the release of the somewhat familiar ‘Voodoo Vision’. A fixture of their live sets over the last few few years, the track – previously titled ‘Thunder’ – is a vocoder-laced, effects-laden brilliantly-realised, beautifully bastardised and utterly exhilarating six minutes of sheer instrumental transcendentalism. We’re fans, in other words. Stream the track – set to feature on the band’s forthcoming third album – below.

  • Watch: The Vals – Quiet Part of Town

    June 25, 2014 - By 

    The full band medium of Belfast-based singer-songwriter Paul Doherty, The Vals have unveiled the video to their new single, ‘Quiet Part of Town’. A wonderfully crafted effort, the song channels a timeless, psychedelic-tinged sound, broad, serene guitar chords marrying delicate keyboard lines, shuffling rhythms and sweetly-placed strings, not to mention Doherty’s vocals – a real centre-piece. Directed by Thomas McKeown and Daryl Randal, the video proves a suitably hazy, nostalgic accompaniment. ‘Quiet Part of Town’ will feature on The Vals’ forthcoming album, Wildflower May. Stream the video via Vimeo below.  

  • Track Record: Caoilian Sherlock (The Shaker Hymn)

    June 27, 2014 - By 

    In the latest installment of Track Record – a feature looking at the record collections of Irish musicians and artists – photographer Brid O’Donovan shoots Caoilian Sherlock, lead singer and guitarist for Cork alt-rock four-piece The Shaker Hymn choosing and selecting some of his all-time favourite records, everything from legendary West Coast rappers and local psych-rock masters. The Clash – London Calling This is the only Clash album I actually like. When myself and my friend Oran were fifteen we went to Kerry for a holiday and we had two albums. Oran was the first person I met that knew about records…