Beautiful songwriting, humble musicianship – piano and a clapped rhythm, raspy vocals and short lines reflecting on war and the painful repeats of history. Patrick McMenamin leads with a voice and writing style that feel evocative, honest, and powerful, for the timeless and passionate folk single The More Things Change.
Ireland--Europe
An absolute jam, in my own reactive terms – Michael P O’S captures an instant earworm and groove, with the infectious energy and reggae vibes of Words.
Introducing a beautifully unmistakable, instrumental love song – a clear melodic gem from his catalogue, and a fine ode to both the skill of the player and the emotional intentions of his work – guitarist and composer Joe Hodgson releases the highly-anticipated, guitar-led single You I Think Of.
Introducing a timeless traditional set-up and a brilliantly original song – Brendan McKinney & the 99 Brown Dogs made a hearty first impression, with the unbelievably catchy folk-rock anthem James Dunn’s Daughter.
Ten original songs weave together this story of the Mystic Code, and while there’s plenty to unpack and explore conceptually, which rewards and provides insight and reflection, the music is also – and importantly – an impressive and enjoyable place to escape into for a while.
Irish composer and producer Gavin Murphy, known for his contributions to releases from David Gray, Van Morison, and plenty more, presents this summer a deeply introspective instrumental project of his own.
Huge vocals and heartfelt songwriting, a clear sense of rising anticipation and emotion – an impassioned ode to a broken heart. Singer and songwriter Craig O’Keeffe masters the craft with meaning and power, for Without You.
From the mellow to the outright untraceable in pace and presence, Joe’s guitar-work shines with natural charm throughout this seductive gem of a blues-folk track. The voice and guitar feel born to perform together in this way, and underneath we get a simple, nostalgic blues groove, a meandering bassline and beat combination, with some modest keys and synths adding a sleepy gospel vibe to an already alluring fusion of traits.
An artist with a seemingly impossible backstory of struggle through to success and enlightenment, Brendan Kelly showcases the very best of his songwriting and emotive performance abilities, with the catchy and euphoric single Brother.
Melancholic musical theatre, carefully intertwined with an aptly-circus-like piano progression – waves of back and forth, creating a sense of energy and entertainment; drastically juxtaposed by the vulnerability and rasp of the leading voice. Magpies craft a single both instantly recognisable and boldly unorthodox, with the bluesy tone and story of The Ballad Of The Crying Clown.
Working its magic as both a timeless pop hit and indeed a clear acoustic contender – one that would no doubt connect beautifully in a stripped-back, unplugged live setting – Atmosphere marks a fine introduction to an established songwriter, with a clear talent and style of his own.
Timeless disco and modern dance unite for this funk-kissed ode to romantic attraction. ELLA delivers a floor-filler with more than a few creative twists of appeal, for LUKA.