POST CATEGORY : Irish Music

Elliott Mo – ‘Rest Here A Moment’

Elliott Mo is an Irish producer / electronic musician who introduced his wares in October last year with the stunning single ‘Oceans’, and Mo is back with the equally superb ‘Rest Here A Moment’.

While the previous single demonstrated a flair for dynamic dancefloor focused electronica, ‘Rest Here A Moment’ is a more chilled, meditative and ethereal affair. It is lush, woozy and wonderfully soothing slice of electronica that glides gracefully across dreamy surroundings and a soft tempo. Hazy textures swirl as lapping like sounds ripple below bright swells of synth and ebullient tone as we are lulled into soothing state of transfixed tranquility. It is beautiful, ethereal and dreamy – and one that will leave you all the better for making its acquaintance.

Listen to ‘Rest Here A Moment’ below – it does not disappoint:

Sprints – ‘Swimming’

Sprints are Dublin-based post-punk foursome – of Karla Chubb (vocals/guitar), Colm O’Reilly (guitar), Sam McCann (bass) and Jack Callan (drums) – who together, create a raw, raucous and potent post-punk sound – one bursting with a ferocious blend snarling vocals, driving rhythms, meaty riffs, swagger and noise.

Sprints have already left an indelible mark with 2020 singles ‘Manifesto’ & ‘The Cheek’, and are back with ‘Swimming’, the third and final track lifted from their four-track debut EP Manifesto (produced by Daniel Fox from Girlband). ‘Swimming’ is a powerful force of nature, exploding to life with a raucous energy Chubb’s raspy vocal ricochets off the intense locked in rhythmic power below. It is a thunderous ride atop driving bass groove, choppy guitar tone, meaty riffs and pounding drums. Like previous singles, ‘Swimming’ is a huge, explosive, taut and confident anthem – a simply stunning tune.

Listen to ‘Swimming’ below and Sprints’ Manifesto EP is out on March 26.


Tertia – ‘Emily’

Tertia is a  London / Dublin based multi-instrumental artist, songwriter and producer with a flair for charming, synth-splashed indie-pop.

A classically trained musician, Tertia simultaneously incorporates this with lush synths, electronics, stylized production and meditative vocals to create an exciting lo-fi / indie-pop brew – exhibited beautifully on new single ‘Emily’. Lifted from Tertia’s recently released debut EP,  Tertia’s Mixtape, ‘Emily’ is a lush, melodic and dreamy escape. Electronics flutter and synths shimmer and fizz while soft beats patter at a pace below as Tertia’s smooth honeyed vocal tones reign supreme, flowing over us with an ease and breeze. ‘Emily’ is serene, addicting and utterly spectacular – a perfect intro to both Tertia and debut EP, Tertia’s Mixtape.

Listen to ‘Emily’ below – and the EP is available here

Moon Paw Print – ‘Forever’

Irish producer Moon Paw Print crafts music for moonlit walks, dimmed rooms approaching midnight and for the moments that belong to the haze of a daydream.

Fresh from the release of marvelous debut Dreams of Ü – inspired by intensely vivid dreams experienced during lockdown it explores themes such as the nature of dreams; love, insecurities and seeking to find beauty in life – Moon Paw Print signed off on 2020 with ‘Forever’. A single of style and substance, ‘Forever’ is a lush, woozy and warm slice of hazy, spaced-out
daydream tranquility. Dusty beats patter beneath a warm blanket of glistening synths and lavish layers of lush electronics that whisk away to cosmic realms of tranquility and lullaby vibes. This aesthetic knows no bounds as it slinks and shuffles while gushing with warmth and melodic allure while peppered by heart melting trumpet to leave us in a state of pleasant bliss. ‘Forever’ is utterly divine – a sound to soothe the soul.

Listen to ‘Forever’ below now and you can listen to the debut album here too.


Albums of the Year 2020

Compiling music lists is always a nice way to reflect on a year, so in keeping with tradition, here are my favourite records from 2020.

This year I’ve narrowed it down 10 and there is little between them to be honest. Recommendations from readers will be greatly welcomed.

10.Whyte Horses – ‘Hard Times’

Manchester psych-pop outfit Whyte Horses’ latest endeavor continues on from where 2018’s ‘Empty Words’, as they whisk us off to a land of blissful, dreamy psychedelia, sounding both familiar yet fresh. Ostensibly feeling like a mutating shape-shifting pop art project, ‘Hard Times’ feels like a mixtape with a difference. It isn’t just simply selecting tracks, choosing the running order, but  recording and producing a selection of much-loved songs while rounding up some of your favorite artists into the bargain. Sound like fun? That’s exactly what Whyte Horses have pulled off on their third record.

Listen in full here.

09. Aoife Nessa Frances – ‘Land of No Junction’

Aoife Nessa Frances’ debut album ‘Land of No Junction’ draws from an eclectic array of influences – ’60s psych-pop, offbeat folk, orchestral flourishes and flair for avant-garde – which sounds familiar yet fresh, as it meanders through ever shifting scenery that blurs the lines between dreams and reality. Frances’ smoky vocal is a constant and gripping, and no matter the ever changing environs –  waltzing beats, undulating groove,  rippling guitar lines, hypnotic organ hums or swirling psych or hazy blanket of fuzz – it is a voice that shines like a lighthouse amid a dense bank of fog. Land of No Junction is a serene, hypnotic and stunning debut (and one that could have been called Llandudno Junction). 

Listen in full here.

08. Khruangbin – ‘Mordechai’ 

Texan trio Khruangbin – Laura Lee Ochoa (bass), Mark Speer (guitar), and Donald “DJ” Johnson (drums) – are peerless sonic sorcerers and funky force of nature. Borrowing from a world of influences, theirs, and indeed third album  ‘Mordechai’,  is a colourful coming together of different sound, genres, cultures and era; there is funk, soul and hip hop, some Latin, Middle Eastern and Asian influences and a whole lot of beautiful psychedelia. It is an intoxicating brew, built on seductive grooves and mostly cool, calm and chilled vibes, offering either a zen-like sense of peace or funky, hypnotic groovy seduction – or a coming together of both. This is super chill, beautifully addictive and mellow, ‘Moredechai’ is a record to watch the sun go down.

Listen in full here.

07. Silverbacks – ‘Fad’

Irish post-punk outfit Silverbacks long-awaited debut album was worth the wait. Having patiently building a rep with superb single after superb single, there wasn’t too much doubt that ‘Fad’ would live up to its billing. Unspooling the ingredients of their sound is tough; there are touches of post-punk, art-rock, new wave and 90s indie to name but a few as tracks, built around a motorik rhythm and taut groove, rush past with a whirlwind of shifting multi-sensory sound as triple guitars attack. Lyrics are multi-layered and uniquely Silverbacks. There’s is a sound comparable to a place where parts Talking Heads, Television, LCD Soundsystem and Gang of Four can all coexist and flourish. A debut to remember.

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Kelp – ‘Spleen’

“I know I’m not the hero you asked for, or wanted.. or needed… also I’m really not a hero. Presenting the misadventures of a miniature deep-sea diver fishbowl figurine.”

So goes the surrealist introduction to Kelp; Belfast-based purveys of loungey cosmic electronica fronted by an inch high, ethereal deep sea diver with a preoccupation for vocoders and additive synthesis. Kelp’s debut single is ‘Spleen’ an ethereal, slumbering and woozy slice of escapism. Anchored by a deep seductive groove, hazy vocoder vocals hover dreamily above a delicious blend of bubbling synths, lush strings and flickering electronics as we are treated to a whirring, cosmic and futuristic synth escape. Is the world ready for a loungey electronica outfit fronted by an inch high, ethereal deep sea diver? Maybe not but we’ve seen strange things happen in 2020 and judging by the music, we would be well to embrace this surreal experiment into our hearts.

Listen to ‘Spleen’ below now – it is an absolute joy.

Sprints – ‘Manifesto’

Sprints are Dublin-based post-punk foursome – of Karla Chubb (vocals/guitar), Colm O’Reilly (guitar), Sam McCann (bass) and Jack Callan (drums) – who together, create a raw, raucous and potent post-punk sound – one bursting with a ferocious blend snarling vocals, driving rhythms, meaty riffs, swagger and noise.

These aforementioned attributes are offered in spades on their aptly titled latest single ‘Manifesto’, a tenacious statement of intent. An early taste of their forthcoming debut EP of the same name, due in the new year, it comes exploding out of the blocks. A powerful stomping beat underpinning an assertive and meaty bassline rumble as raspy, fierce and fiery vocals come to the for before soaring high above the explosion of buzzing guitar, scintillating riffs and crashing drums. It is a huge, explosive and supremely confident anthem. Previous single ‘The Cheek’ was great but ‘Manifesto’ sees them kick it up to another level entirely – a simply stunning tune.

Don’t just take my word for it, listen to ‘Manifesto’ below:

Sal Dulu – ‘Alien Boy 96’

Dublin-based producer Sal Dulu has established a rep in this neck of the woods for fabulous hip-hop flavoured electronic productions with a series of stellar singles last year; ‘Duluoz Dream’, ‘Antasma’ & ‘Tyko’, ‘Buzzcut’.

Continuing this rich vein of form, Sal Dulu has returned with a hypnotic new single ‘Alien Boy 96′ and taster track from his forthcoming debut album, penned for an early 2021 release. It is yet another beautiful piece of instrumental hip hop that transfixes it slinks along a hypnotic groove, underpinned with dusty beats, jazz-inflected keys and slo-mo melodies. A fuzzy ambience and downtempo chill-out vibes, collides with snatches of eerie vocal peek through the atmospheric swirl. It is dreamy and hypnotic, cinematic and escapist, and most importantly a wonderful insight to what we can expect from his album come the new year.

Listen to ‘Alien Boy 96’ below now:

A.S. Fanning – ‘All Time’

Berlin-based, Dublin-raised, singer/songwriter A.S. Fanning has shared the single ‘All Time’ ahead of the release of new album ‘You Should Go Mad’ on 13 November via Proper Octopus Records.

It is the follow up to Fanning’s 2017 solo debut Second Life and ‘All Time’ indicates a continued evolution of his blend of folk, country and rock & roll, with psych and gothic brushstrokes. Fanning combines these aforementioned sensibilities to create a richly resonant, dark and foreboding backdrop with subtle layers of psychedelic textures and glistening production adding a touch of respite and illumination; illumination for Fanning’s finest attribute, his brilliant songwriting and storytelling abilities, to thrive. His world weary baritone vocal delivers a vivid introspective tale through time and memory for a compelling 7-minutes of rich and powerful emotion.

Listen to ‘All Time’ below now – and You Should Go Mad’ is out on November 13.

Elliott Mo – ‘Oceans’

Elliott Mo is an Irish producer / electronic musician who has a flair for dynamic dancefloor focused electronica.

Mo’s Latest single, ‘Oceans’ is a perfect example and is nothing short of stunning. A gorgeous marriage of epic euphoria, ethereal electronica and frosty, crisp elegance – it is spine-tingling immersive and hypnotic – majestically blurring the lines between exhilarating electro and ethereal electronica. A spectacular four minutes that is spearheaded by glistening tones, chimes and elegant splashes of electronics while a deep, propulsive groove bubbles away in tandem with solid beats – swerving energetically for the dancefloor. Lush, glistening and altogether alive, you will be consumed by waves of crunching beats, liquid blissfulness and boundless flourishes of crystalline percussion. ‘Oceans’ is a magnificent introduction to a very promising talent, no question.

Listen to ‘Oceans’ below – it does not disappoint: