Sive
REMY presents a round-up of the best Irish singles to be released over the past week with reviews for each track.
1) Sive - 'Holding'
Sive's latest single 'Holding' is the perfect ushering from dark winter days into spring, the bubbling kalimba setting the spritely tone which her pitch-perfect vocal wraps in cotton wool. It's not all lambs jumping through fields though thankfully, with the strident rhythm of the track and her emotive timbre tempering the mood and reigning us in.
2) All Tvvins - 'Build a Bridge'
The new All Tvvins, 'Build a Bridge', is the synth-pop version of grabbing you by the lapels of your jacket and demanding attention, of course, it's a lot more passive than that, extremely catchy grooves and filtered vox effects make it a most ambient and feel-good affair.
2) All Tvvins - 'Build a Bridge'
The new All Tvvins, 'Build a Bridge', is the synth-pop version of grabbing you by the lapels of your jacket and demanding attention, of course, it's a lot more passive than that, extremely catchy grooves and filtered vox effects make it a most ambient and feel-good affair.
Daniel John Paxton - 'Railway Line'
3) Daniel John Paxton - 'Railway Line'
The former Buffalo Sunn man returns with an immediately affable sliver of dream-pop in the shape of 'Railway Line', a little bit Beach House, a little bit early Band of Horses. Of course we could just slip under its charming spell, but that would be to miss out on the robust channelling of emotion which Paxton pulls with all his might from open to end.
4) Deaf Joe - 'Come On Home'
With a new album in the works, Waterford native Deaf Joe treats us to a new single in 'Come On Home', with each single I realise more and more how much I love his vocal. It's the ultimate ear balm, with a marching band of other-worldly sounds and acoustic rhythms, this latest outing conjures up peak-Doves for me.
5) Stupid Son - 'Bread'
A fresh new band, post-punk / indie-rock outfit Stupid Son shared debut single 'Bread' just last week. A see-saw of ponderous vocal interludes and ramshackle distortion, it's difficult to shake the thought that this might be a 'quiet' number in their repertoire, and there is some mighty fine ear-bleeding coming down the road at us, I hope this is the case. Great opening salvo, *shakes fist*.
6) Sal Dulu - 'Xompulse'
An undoubted master of electronic chill, it's been just over a year since we've heard from Dublin producer and multi-instrumentalist Sal Dulu. New track 'Xompulse' is a bit of a departure, gone are the beats, clicks and samples, behold merely a piano, in dimmed lamplight, sitting on dark oak floors in a grand country house, all the doors open, but no one at home. A beautiful invitation to just be here, and in the moment. It should feel sad, but it feels more like a blessing.
7) Exiles - 'Rearview Mirror'
Where can you find a band that can in equal parts harness 80's popular film soundtrack and modern electro-pop sounds? Right here. Duo Exiles have always been naughty boys when it comes to giving the public what they want, 'Rearview Mirror' takes that a little notch further upwards. Half way through your third listen you'll be wriggling on the end of their synth hook, but instead of trying to escape, you'll be dancing.
Exiles - 'Rearview Mirror'
8) The Moves - 'For Ever and Ever'
It's been quite a while since Dublin band The Moves released their last music, 2015's Negative Space album was criminally underrated in my view. The intervening time between then and now has certainly led to a distinctive change, and a good one at that. New single 'For Ever and Ever' hints at what we might find on their forthcoming third LP. An unusual mixology of psychedelic folk and indietronica with little bursts of prog-rock makes for the best of appetisers and curiosity.
9) ROE - 'Down Days'
ROE released what were two of my most listened to Irish singles of 2018 in 'Wasted.Painted.Thinking' and 'Hey Thomas', in 'Down Day's she solidifies her place as one of Ireland's best song-writing talents, despite it's heavy theme which requires at minimum a glimmer of hope, she provides it in abundance through her music. 'Down Days'' is a very welcome addition to the growing repertoire, it's more stripped down, and I enjoy her voice more than ever as a result. Addictive, and Irish pop has never sounded or felt like it was in better hands.
ROE - Photo: Dennis Dirksen
10) Faraway Martin - 'Falling In Your Sleep'
I'm a big fan of the music that Mayo's Faraway Martin is making already at this early stage, with 'Falling In Your Sleep' providing another string to his musical bow following debut 'Intoxicate'. A quick listen and you'll probably feel like it's a well-written guitar-pop song that isn't averse to moments of over-happy twee. The truth of the matter though is that Faraway Martin is expert at placing structured rhythm, mixed-feeling vocals, playing around with the predictability of tempo changes, nailing the tracks 'big' moments and blending all together with expert ease.
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/01/irish-playlist-james-joys-digg-deep-jafaris-gorilla-troubadour-asmyth.html
