• Stream: Skelocrats – Princeps

    May 1, 2020 - By 

    One of the gleaming jewels in the crown of Dublin collective Popical Island, Skelocrats dropped off the radar following the release of their second album, the still-excellent Bella Bella, back in 2015. One-off  single ‘You’ll Never Make Me Talk’ aside, their absence has been felt by many of us naturally predisposed to collaboratively-minded, fuzzed-out garage pop. Which is why we’re beside ourselves to share ‘Princeps’, the new single from Skelocrats. Brilliant and brisk at 2 minutes in length, it’s a song about strained devotion to the leader, and the first taste of the band’s forthcoming third album. Some things have changed: Paddy “supported…

  • Album Stream: Arvo Party – Devotions

    May 1, 2020 - By 

    If you were to look us dead in the eye and say “Arvo Party doesn’t sleep” we would genuinely believe you. The musical nom de plume of Belfast-based musician and producer Herb Magee, Arvo Party has been responsible for some of the most eclectic and forward-moving electronic sounds in Ireland over the last four years. His solo journey to date has almost been radically restless, propelled by a sense of determination that is unmistakable once you heed it. With his next album proper set to land in June, new release Devotions is an inspired feature-length diversion in its own right. Balmy…

  • Premiere: Deathbed Convert – Inner Mountain

    April 30, 2020 - By 

    Two years on from releasing the stellar Sentience and Sapience under his Ai Messiah alias, Belfast producer and musician Connor Dougan is back as Deathbed Convert. Set for release via NI’s finest imprint Touch Sensitive tomorrow (Friday, May 1) Dougan’s debut in his new guise is a feature-length exploration of bygone times, conjuring the melancholic beauty of The Durutti Column, Gigi Masin’s deep, ambient ocean, and Iasos’ endless expanse. Running parallel with Ai Messiah’s subjective speculations on the future, Debris of Echoes – which betrays the influence of Talk Talk, Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis and Pharoah Sanders – goes the other way, casting its inner…

  • Premiere: The Zang – Drinking With You

    May 1, 2020 - By 

    The music-making moniker of Belfast artist Chris Molloy, The Zang is a project that’s ultimately about having a sense of humour even in the darkest of times. The opening track and lead single from Molloy’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Drinking With You’ is an earworming pop rock gem, doubling up as equal parts a celebration of human connection and the joy of spending time with loved ones, versus the feeling of detachment and loneliness that we are all capable of enduring. Across three minutes, it makes for a subtly anthemic, harmony-laden effort that demands a repeated listen. Released in Oiltape Studios in Belfast…

  • Album Stream: Mark Waldron-Hyden – Future Life Continuity

    April 29, 2020 - By 

    Back in the mists of time – Monday – we happily premiered ‘I Can’t See You: Where Did You Go?’ by Cork musician Mark Waldron-Hyden. Subtly scopic and immersive in all the right places, it doubled up as a suitably emphatic first taste of his stellar new album, Future Life Continuity. Released today via Cork imprint Sunshine Cult, it’s a masterfully mottled full-length effort that, perhaps more than any other Irish release we’ve heard this year thus far, fully rewards a repeated listen – not least on good speakers or headphones. Recorded over a two-month period, “in pretty intense solitude” in his studio…

  • Stream: Danny Madigan – Bruiser

    April 27, 2020 - By 

    Danny Madigan has evidently been riding a wave of inspiration as of late. A leading light in Belfast’s somewhat unexpected, yet fully operational synth-wave scene, along with Alpha Chrome Yayo and Transpacifica, his throwback craft betrays heaps of savvy and a full-blown recognition of the weight of a hook. Across six tracks, Madigan’s new mini-album, Bruiser, takes that M.O and runs with it – far beyond the stratosphere and right back again. Bruiser by Danny Madigan

  • Premiere: Mark Waldron-Hyden – I Can’t See You: Where Did You Go?

    April 27, 2020 - By 

    On Wednesday, Cork artist Mark Waldron-Hyden releases an album that is surely going to go down as one of the Irish titles of the year. Recorded over a two-month period, “in pretty intense solitude” in his studio in the Nagle mountains of rural North Cork, Future Life Continuity is a clear-cut statement of intent, melding singular abstract ambience via prismatic noise and first-rate polyrhythmic forays. Lead single, ‘I Can’t See You: Where Did You Go?” is one of many gems here. Across five minutes, it makes for a masterfully shapeshifting trip, melding widescreen, Kranky-leaning ambience with submerged Brainfeeder-esque textures. Featuring visuals by Con O’Brien, have a first listen to…

  • Premiere: Myles Manley – Aaa Episode 2:

    April 22, 2020 - By 

    When we launched The Thin Air back in 2013, Dublin-based artist Myles Manley was one of the first Irish artists that we shone a light on. In the seven years since, his shapeshifting, at times downright unpigeonholeable brand of pop has always delivered something that stops you in your tracks. Following last week’s opening installment, today we’re pleased to premiere the second of three videos in a new series by Manley. A collaboration by Seamus Hanly, Sebastian MacDermott and Conor O’Toole, the video features Myles suffering a bout of depression and seeking some counselling, following the rejection of MUSIC COOL .IE seen in…

  • Premiere: Landers – Clear Blue Sky

    April 17, 2020 - By 

    Fronted by Dubliner Christopher Colm Morrin, Landers are a new-fangled, Berlin-based experimental folk trio with an incredibly promising future ahead of them. Today marks the release of the threesome’s first release. Following a couple of rehearsals, the band recorded live sessions in a large warehouse known as KAOS on the outskirts of Berlin with Aidan Floatinghome, a friend who has also worked with Perlee, Wallis Bird and Hundreds. Over four days, the trio recorded a series of tracks – the process loose, the set-up minimalist and, tellingly, the dynamic intuitive. Out via heyhowareya Records, Clear Blue Sky is a first…

  • Stream: The Sky at Night – You’re So Cool

    April 14, 2020 - By 

    From the Altered Hours to DIY LK and far beyond, many Irish artists and collective are digging deep to raise funds for Irish charities that need a helping hand more than ever. Among them is Out on a Limb Records. With all proceeds going to Pieta House, the Limerick imprint today re-releases ‘You’re So Cool’ by Kilkenny-based musician Tim V. Smyth aka The Sky at Night. Originally released back in 2013, it’s a quietly spectral gem that marries lullaby-like refrains with drones that burrow deep. Stream/pay-what-you-like below. You’re So Cool by The Sky At Night