Photo: Helton Nobrega
It's a tired old joke but I can't stop, there's been another big batch of quality Irish singles released over the last week (in particular today - 8 of the above in fact) so on REMY's latest independent Irish playlist we go to...11 *cringe*. One of my New Years resolutions was to move Irish playlists from weekly to fortnightly, it just hasn't been possible, and at the end of the day I'm pleased that this particular resolution has gone flying out the window. The opposite terrifies me.
1) Jake Regan - 'Over It'
At the very beginning of this blog malarky, one of my first loves was Dublin band Segrasso, incredible live and recorded, I was devo when they called it a day. That's why I was very excited to hear frontman Jake Regan has returned with solo material, and his first offering 'Over It' does not require rose-tinted glasses, it's a beaut. Moody, despondent slacker-rock intro which jams in a left-hook on the minute mark, little quiet breaks trickle down the crevices of fuzzy guitars and monotone, ponderous vox. The track could have ended a 3:30 and I'd have been more than happy, however a wonderful shift in tempo and tone pushes towards a bubbling indie-pop finale. There's noise in dem there hills.
2) Active - 'I Never Die'
Polish-born 18-year-old producer and rap act Active (Max Skiba) from Monaghan released his debut EP Youth earlier this year. 'I Never Die' was released as a single just yesterday and I'm fully down with the relentless cycle of traditional hip-hop beats, lyrical delivery and impressive production. Long time readers will know I am loathe to mention age when discussing music, but if this is what Active can serve up at this age it's virtually impossible to not envision a long and successful music career ahead of him.
3) PEACHFACE - 'Killing Kind of Love'
PEACHFACE released their dreamp-pop debut single 'You Never Saw Me Dance' earlier this year, new single 'Killing Kind of Love' has a little bit of a grittier edge electronically, but also is refreshing in the sense that they aren't settling on a static sound. There's already a wide spectrum of potential avenues for them to explore, from 'back in the day' retro-synth to contemporary dream-pop. I can't recall if I mentioned it previously (I did, just checked), but again that little tingle of Belle & Sebastian tickles my ear despite being stylistically very different. One of the best acts to emerge so far this year and ones to keep an eye on.
4) SICK LOVE - 'Soccer Mom'
Dual-layered electric guitars, pounding drums and Rebecca Geary's forceful vocals provide a combination that is arresting and leaves the listener reeling from the frenetic pace and vibrancy on SICK LOVE's new single 'Soccer Mom'. This is how I'd imagine Yeah Yeah Yeah's if they went for a full on punk approach to their music, it's difficult to resist the sheer momentum of the song, but why would you want to in reality.
5) Arthur Valentine - 'Selfish'
Although I like quite a spread of different pop styles, 'Selfish', the debut single from the pop project of Cork's Arthur Valentine brings more to the table than most. Jazzy guitar-picking, different vocal styles across the track (soul, rn'b, blues and pop), and an undeniable level of smooth, if you want / need to unplug yourself from the Matrix, this is the only track you'll need.
6) Rebekah Fitch - 'Poison'
Ahead of the April release of her sophomore EP, Northern Irish alt-pop act Rebekah Fitch shares new single 'Poison' today. Fitch swirls from grandiose Florence-esque moments, to the knowing sass of Lady GaGa in this call to action track which challenges the listener to withdraw themselves from the incessant demands of commercialism and the creation of false identities. It's uplifting, feverishly powerful pop with lots of lovely break-neck synth wobbles thrown in for good measure.
Rebekah Fitch
7) The Wha - 'Innocents'
With three band members still in secondary school (I did the age thing again), Kilkenny-based act The Wha shared debut single 'Innocents' last week. Impressive lines such as; "You call it national pride, I call it genocide" combined with an uncanny awareness of well-structured punk song-writing (The Clash - 'Spanish Bombs') marks them out as a promising young act we will see more and more of over the next 1-2 years.
8) Tara Tine - 'The Night Was Cold'
A menacing bass and drum-beat introduce Dundalk artist Tara Tine's new single 'The Night Was Cold' from forthcoming EP Battle Cry. An Americana folk-rock hue pervades, Tine does an excellent job of carving a tribal and ancient ceremonial atmosphere through sound to make the track truly stand out. The hidden First Aid Kit collab. with Bob Dylan on Oh Mercy ('What Was It You Wanted' - alternative version!).
9) David Boland - 'You Go'
A few 'mood octaves' up from Sufjan Stevens (not hard to be fair! Poor old SS), Wicklow singer-songwriter David Boland has done everything right in my book on his debut single 'You Go', 'a joyful summation of the pitfalls of 21st century romance' in his own words. I love the balance between happy / sad here, a tricky tightrope to traverse, the chorus is simple, but it's how it's lifted up from between the verses that impresses most as the track unfolds. In addition, the tone of Boland's voice is perfect for the feeling he looks to share with the listener.
10) Darce - 'Snapbacks'
Making big inroads in 2018, Cork act Darce opens up 2019 with his first single of the year in the shape of 'Snapbacks'. This is my "sunny L.A. cruising with the top down" jam (never been to L.A. and can't drive btw). To date one of the most appealing aspects of Darce's music is that he stays chill, avoids being musically brash and resists using too much Pledge on that production. It's also a world away from previous single 'Enlightened' which was more ethereal electro-pop vibe, no one trick ponies here.
11) Pretty Happy - 'Mr. Crabs'
Staying in Cork, we have a new single from indie / post-punk band Pretty Happy in the form of 'Mr. Crabs'. Unless it's buried in subtle lyrical metaphors, not based on what one might presume. The rollicking punk rhythm is strong in this one, shouted harmonies and sinister theatrical interludes all combine for a truly bone fide raw punk-rock personality to the music of Pretty Happy.
Pretty Happy
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/02/irish-playlist-royal-yellow-ehco-moylan-late-david-turpin-runah.html
