• Video Premiere: Blue Americans – Apparition

    February 7, 2018 - By 

    Leftfield pop duo Blue Americans have just lifted the cloche on the video for ‘Apparition’, their fourth single in five months, and it’s once more a pristine, self-produced slice of vibing, somnambulant pop that begs to be listened to in a warmly-lit bedroom, well into the early AM. As with the singles that have preceded it, we’ve also found much allure in the genuinely leftfield, exploratory B-side, with Danny Ball production transforming Platt’s vocal on ‘Beetroot (What If I Was 1?)’ into very real moment of yearning. It’s out now on their own label, Oil Tape Records, ahead of the release of their debut album later this year. They’ve nailed it on…

  • Wyvern Lingo – Wyvern Lingo

    December 12, 2017 - By 

    It’s been a long time in waiting as the Bray trio have traipsed across the world, dominating stages in clubs, arenas and festivals alike in support of fellow Irish icons like Hozier & James Vincent McMorrow, but it looks like Wyvern Lingo are set to arrive, when they unleash their eponymous debut album on Friday, February 23. Out through Rubyworks on vinyl, CD & digitally at the usual outlets, it was primarily recorded in Dublin by producer James Kelly, as well as in Donegal, London & Cologne. The trio of Karen Cowley, Caoimhe Barry & Saoirse Duane released their debut EP The Widow Knows back…

  • Premiere & Interview: Blue Americans – ‘Bull On Venice Beach/Holy Goo’

    September 1, 2017 - By 

    En­ough tears have been shed over the once-fertile, in-breeding Belfast music scene – or more specifically, a certain strain of D.I.Y. post-hardcore that was once ubiquitous in the wake of Brand New and Reuben’s premature breakups – led by young, hungry outfits like More Than Conquerors, who quite successfully married that sound with an astute ear for a hook, delivered by the gilded throat of Kris Platt. Everyone in that band went their separate ways almost exactly two years ago, following not much shy of a decade together. All things, however, must pass, and since then, the landscape has drastically…

  • Charlie XCX – Sucker

    March 3, 2015 - By 

    Charlie XCX has quickly grown from the ‘featuring’ artist of other artists’ hits to a main attraction. Charlie (Charlotte Atchinson) wrote the hit ‘I Love It’ and let the Swedish pop duo Icona Pop record it. Last summer she featured on Iggy Azalea‘s Fancy. Now, finally, she gets to keep the spotlight on herself. As an album, Sucker is a bit repetitive. Each track would work well on any commercial radio playlist but played one after the other, the songs blend together. ‘Boom Clap’ is a great single – and it is easy to imagine any track from Sucker being…

  • Stream: Sea Pinks – Dream Happening

    August 18, 2014 - By 

    Jangle/neo-surf pop outfit Sea Pinks have just unveiled ‘Dream Happening’, the first track from their aptly-titled upcoming album Dreaming Tracks. The LP will be Sea Pinks’ first release since single ‘An Exploded View‘ was put out last November. The album is to be released through independent Belfast specialist dream/surf/noise-pop label, CF Records on September 29. Stream ‘Dream Happening’ below:

  • Sea Pinks – Dreaming Tracks

    August 18, 2014 - By 

    Neo-surf-pop act Sea Pinks release their new album, entitled Dreaming Tracks on September 29 through Belfast-based surf/jangle/noise pop specialist label, CF Records. This will be their first release since single ‘An Exploded View’ was put out last November. Check out ‘Dream Happening’ – the first track to be unveiled – below:

  • Adebisi Shank – The Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank

    August 6, 2014 - By 

    Let’s cut to a very important chase, straight away. This Is The Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank Is Not This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank. The Second Album... was an event in Irish music. Not just a major release, or critically acclaimed, but a happening, a seismic shift in expectations for others to follow, and a step up for Irish independent music, so much so it attracted the attention of Sargent House and the world. It was important, a concentrated blast of everything that was right with the world. Opinion on teaser…