Nina Hynes – Bad News
If we’re lucky, Berlin-based Irish musician Nina Hynes reappears every once in a while with musical missives to share. Her latest EP entitled Raging Fire features four tracks lead by the title song which features contributions from husband Fabien Leseure, Colm Mac an Iomaire along with backing vocals from a 15-strong troupe that include Fionn Regan, Eileen Carpio and Chris Morrin.
Carriages – Hardest Mile
Harry Bookless and Aaron Page’s band finds a magic place between field recordings and heart-on-sleeve songwriting. With the lead song from their new EP that serves as independent promoter Homebeat’s inaugural label release, there’s a charming experience to be had within its pottering pastoral electronic tone.
Super Silly – Mile High Club
Dublin-based Super Silly are among the most magnetic and accomplished young players in the scene having played as a backing band for others, the four-piece are styling out on their own. Their newest single with a beat by producer Plant Food melds electronic dance textures with R&B vibes. Take a flight with this.
Sabrina Claudio – Unravel Me (Mark McCabe Remix)
Mr McCable might be remembered for creating Ireland’s biggest club anthem but the DJ and producer has been returning to remixes of late with reworks of Soulé and Gavin James. This latest track, a remix, adds Jessie Ware Balearic late-night vibes to a smooth R&BV cut.
And So I Watch You From Afar – Dying Giants
The second track the Belfast band have previewed from their fifth album The Endless Shim-mering is the post-rock band doing what they do best – constructing anthemic instrumental music in which the guitar, drums and bass howl, bite and snarl in snaking sonic fashion. Never a dull moment in its seven-plus minute running time.
The Ocelots – Till We Get There
Twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson may be young pups but their music comes from another age – a mature classic folk drawing inspiration from the Everly Brothers and Dylan. Their new EP was recorded in a barn in Croatia (who knows why?) and the duo despite being only 20 have a lot of experience at Irish festivals along with shows all over Europe since. Old fashioned troubadours are they.
Contour – Stand Firm / Weapons all MIDI’d UP
Conan Wynne and Anna Doran's electronic project Contour are approaching the release of their full-length mixed album Appropriation (the tracks are built on many samples) in drip-feed fashion and as such, there are six tracks (of 21 in total) available for listening oncontour-sounds.bandcamp.com right now. Here are two of them, a jazzy-soul electronic number in the style of Flying Lotus along with a buzzed verse from Dublin rapper New Cicero.
INTRODUCING NEW ARTIST:
Dubliner Graham Mitchell was formerly known as Milky, but is now sticking to his given name for the foreseeable future. The singer-songwriter has cultivated a bright acoustic pop style that on a few singles thus far and the newest, Maria Browne, is a rollicking retro pop jam with a George Michael Faith-esque beat and shades of The Jam. It’s a surprisingly upbeat number for a song about the girl who got away.
