Our pick of the best releases by Irish bands and artists this month
Every month we'll bring you five tracks by Irish bands or artists that we think are worth checking out.
This month features experimental folk, hip-hop and more.
Off y'go...
1. GEMMA DUNLEAVY – 'Up de Flats'
Time was we used to have to look to the UK and the US for artists like Gemma Dunleavy. Now, homegrown acts are turning out imaginative, exciting tracks like this one. The Dubliner's latest single combines pop, electro, soul and glitchy two-step (with added flourish of harp) in one deadly little package.
*
2. AILBHE REDDY – 'Time Difference'
She's been on 'One to Watch' lists for what seems like the past four or five years at this point, so Ailbhe Reddy's debut album is long overdue. Thankfully, the Dublin musician has promised that it will be released this year – and this charming little number, which evokes bands like Alvvays and Camera Obscura, is the first tantalising cut from it.
*
3. MURLI – 'The Culture'
Born in Togo, raised in Limerick, MuRli (a member of the excellent Rusangano Family) channels all of his experience into his new solo EP. 'Till the Wheels Fall Off' is a gem, but we're loving the loose snap and old school hip-hop vibe of 'The Culture' in particular.
*
4. KING PALLAS – 'Home'
Limerick is clearly killing it right now. Patrick O'Brien, aka King Pallas, is a very different musical proposition to MuRli (even though they've collaborated together on another track on the former's debut EP, 'We Pause'). O'Brien's tender voice sits across gently rollicking, atmospheric indie-folk tunes, as heard on this one.
*
5. CONOR ADAMS – 'YR OK'
You may know him as one half of All Tvvins, but Conor Adams is striking out as a solo artist on his newly-released debut EP 'I Admired Your Grace at the End of the World'. This is different fare to the propulsive beats of his day job; the EP's four songs swing from immersive electropop to piano-led balladry. We're loving the synthy '80s 'Drive' soundtrack vibe of its lead track, 'YR OK'.