• Stream: Alarmist – Bunda Internacionale

    Having kept their collective head down over the last few months, Dublin band Alarmist have resurfaced in fine style via their new single, ‘Bunda Internacionale’. The lead single from the band’s forthcoming new EP Pal Magnet, the song’s bobbing, shifting instrumentalism strikes a wonderful balance between the warped textures of Tera Melos and the Ethio-jazz groove of Mulatu Astatke. Pal Magnet is available for digital download on November 1st. Stream ‘Bunda Internacionale’ via Soundcloud below.

  • Cordials – Cordials EP

    With the north coat really having carved a niche in recent years – to the extent that punk, post-hardcore and post-rock practically soundtrack the area – it’s refreshing to hear a band from the area who don’t feel obliged to be boxed in with the usual names. A trio from Coleraine & Portrush, Cordials in their self-titled EP tread paths not a million miles away from heartfelt classic power-pop/college rock bands in the vein of Teenage Fanclub and The Replacements. From the onset of opener ‘Metal Man’, the classic lo-fi overdriven chiming wall-of-sound has been implemented appropriately, allowing the EP…

  • TTA Session #001: Bellos

    It might go without saying but we’re pant-wettingly passionate about local music here at the Thin Air. Just another side to our collective desire to get the very best in homegrown talent out there and duly recognised, we are pleased to kickstart The Thin Air Live Sessions in the company of Belfast-based alt-rock three-piece Bellos. Fronted by Luke Bowen (once described as having “the best scream in Northern Irish music”), the band have gone from strength to strength over the last few months having released their self-titled debut EP back in June. In July we interviewed the band as part…

  • Album stream: Squarehead – RESPECT

    The follow-up to their 2011 debut album Yeah Nothing, Dublin trio Squarehead have unveiled their second studio album, RESPECT, as a pay-what-you-like release. A shimmering and occasionally raucous eleven-track blast of the band’s ever-distinctive brand of indie pop, the album was produced by Les Keye at Arad Studios at the end of Summer 2013 and produced by Liam Grant. Truth be told: it’s already shaping up to be one of our favourite releases from an Irish act this year. Stream or download (for free, if you like) the album below.

  • Recap: Hello Skinny, Dig, Survival Knife, etc.

    This week’s installment of Recap – our weekly look back at the best songs released the week previous – is arguably our most diverse collection to date. Featuring three Irish acts of varying stature and attack, and a new track by a band that describe themselves as… wait for it… “post-music”. More Than Conquerors – Try-Antlers Ahead of the release of their debut album next month, Northern Irish four-piece More Than Conquerors released new tracks, ‘Jaw’ and ‘Try-Antlers’, on Wednesday afternoon. My favourite of the two is the latter – a brilliantly brooding distillation of the band’s increasingly inimitable alt-rock shtick. Dig –…

  • Recap: Tim Hecker, Frankie Rose, September Girls, etc.

    In the latest installment of our weekly recap of the best in brand new music just released right across the world, we eagerly traverse and contrast urgent Northern Irish punk rock, Canadian drone, kaleidoscopic English lo-fi, American garage rock, delirious Swedish synth-pop and all kinds of everything in between. As ever, if you want to get in touch about great new music – either yours or someone else’s – hit us up at newmusic@thethinair.net and we will get listening, stat. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy our top ten tracks of the week. ___ Mons Montis – Swept Swedish trio Herman Båverud Olsson,…

  • Stream: Safe Ships – Safest of Ships

    Recorded, mixed and mastered by Lee McMahon, Belfast-based punk quartet Safe Ships have released a brand new track, the ever-so-slightly self-referential ‘Safest of Ships’. The song is the b-side to the band’s forthcoming new single ‘Fighting Fit’, which will be launched on Wednesday, October 2 at Belfast’s Voodoo. Support on the night comes from Past Victories, Bellos and Tied To Machines. Go here for more info. Stream the rollicking ‘Safest of Ships’ via Bandcamp below.

  • Recap: Holy Ghost, Julia Holter, Cloud etc.

    In the first installment of our weekly feature looking back at the best tracks that emerged the week previous, this week’s Recap features a lovely slew of swooning electronica, shady lo-fi pop and the latest, rather interesting metamorphosis of a noise-rock demigoddess (go on, take a guess). As always, we’re interested in what’s been catching your ear from the world of new music full-stop: inform us of your favourite things new-fangled and magnificent via newmusic@thethinair.net. In the meantime, there’s these… RY X – ‘Vampires’ The wonderfully spectral new single by Australian songsmith RY X, ‘Vampires’ is taken from his forthcoming Berlin…

  • Stream: I Break Horses – Denial

    Swedish duo Maria Lindén and Fredrick Balck AKA I Break Horses are streaming a new track, ‘Denial’, via Soundcloud. Following on from their 2011 debut album Hearts, the two -piece are currently in the process of recorded its full-length follow-up, set for release via Bella Union in the Autumn. Stream ‘Denial’ – a three and a half minute dose of delectable analogue-synth and drum machines-led electro-pop – below.