Playlist 2014 - 2019: Thank You! From REMY

I was quite sad a few weeks ago when I decided to call time on what began in July 2012 as mostly a film review blog with a few pieces here and there on bands I love from the 60's and 70's. But I am very, very happy with how the last 6 years in particular turned out, and even moreso, incredibly lucky to have ended up meeting so many amazing and inspiring people, seeing god knows how many bands live who blew my mind, and in a nutshell, living a dream. 

The over-riding reason I've decided to wrap up is purely time, in this game you are either all-in and 100% committed, or you're better off out, in my own view there's no in-between. The last thing I would want is for me to stop enjoying this, finding it a burden, and worst of all (which I had noticed on occasion over the last number of months) to start writing reviews devoid of passion and which are rushed, it's not fair on anyone, particularly the artist.

Music is my number one passion, and to somehow find myself witnessing the best period of Irish music, well, for wont of a better turn of phrase, doing this blog has been the best thing I've ever done on a personal level. A joy-filled adventure I will never forget, and which never would have happened unless there was an avalanche of incredible music flowing out from all over the island of Ireland.

So, enough of the sop, and I know this isn't the Oscars, but I do have a few people I'd like to be on the record thanking and yes...*CLICHÉ KLAXON!* sorry if I forgot anyone! Briefly though, the above Playlist contains 150 songs by Irish artists from 2014 - 2019 which have featured on these pages in the past, each track holding a specific and happy memory for me, it's in chronological order of when they were reviewed, a little archive for me to revisit when I'm feeling nostalgic! Thankfully I got to see 93 of the 150 live, #blessed.

Huge thanks go to the following people who provided massive support to me;

Irish musicians (all of them!), David Judge of Abner Brown's Barber Shop for too many opportunities over the years, Jim O'Donoghue Martin (VIDEO BLUE - for sending me my very first review request and inadvertently turning this blog on its head as a result!), the boys at Oh Joy! (once The Journals - the first time I brought a camera to a show was at one of their gigs and I used flash photography - didn't do it ever again after!).

The Dundalk family - a ridiculous amount of support and good-will came from people I now consider friends, Jim (already mentioned!), Gavin Murray (Trick Mist), Just Mustard (my favourite Irish band), the beautiful human that is Shane Clarke (Elephant), Aoife McCann (AE Mak), Nix Moon, Third Smoke, Larry & wordsmith deluxe David Keenan.

Takes breath....

Stef Edwards and Jenny Headen who facilitated some amazing live music memories (WeAreRedHead), likewise Emma Harney of Orchestrate PR who helped me hone my interview skills long ago! Jawdropper crew (John & Maya et al!) My absolute bae Dwayne Woods (Butter Wouldn't Melt PR), Liza Geddes & Linda Coogan Byrne, Naoise Roo, James McGregor (The Clockworks) and Noël Duplaa (CFIT and 20 other bands) for contributing amazing reviews to these pages in the past, my best buds in photography and beer Sarah Ryan and Niall O'Kelly, Margaret O'Sullivan (Femmepop), THUMPER, Dave Conway (Gigonometry), Tim Clifford (K-Fest), Andrea Keogh (The Sound House, DQF), Callum Browne, James Strain (Auxiliary Phoenix), Greg Whelan, Ryan Cashell, EllyD and Emma (Xx), James Geraghty & Adam McCabe (Brass Phantoms), Montauk Hotel (keep shimmering!), MUNKY (Xx), David Anthony McGeown (BODIES), Alien She, Brendan Miller (Zombie Picnic), Molly Sterling (heart-breaker), Laura McCabe (cello lady), Joey (Heroes in Hiding), Darragh O'Connor & Jack O'Flaherty (Exiles), Sick Love, Kevin Nolan, Herb Magee (Arvo Party), Ronan Kealy (Junior Brother), The Felonies, Classic Yellow, Silverbacks, Sean O'Brien (FIELDS), Chris Ryan (Robocobra Quartet), EHCO, and anyone who invited me to their shows, sent me their music.

All of the amazing photographers I met and who contributed to the last two end of year photography galleries, Zoe Holman, Ciara Brennan (SheBopImagery), Glen Bollard, Moira Reilly, Dara Munnis, Ruth Medjber (for also fixing my camera at HWCH 2017!), Nicholas O'Donnell, Jack Farrell, Aaron Corr,  Kieran Frost, Billy Cahill, Faye Bollard, to name a few. 

A very special thank you to Stephen White of The Last Mixed Tape, a man who understands the lonesome but happy life of the solo music blogger and gave me a lot of sage advice over the years, someone whom I have endless respect for, and a perfect companion at so many gigs and festivals. Also Nialler9 and The Thin Air for the shout outs and support, it meant a lot.

Last but not least, my wife Anna, who educated me on music from the 60's / 70's and 80's, she's the Skynet of music databases and trivia. She never once complained about the amount of time I spent out and about at shows, or at home blogging, and her support was the most valuable of all. I look forward to getting to know her again ;)

Go to local shows, buy local music, and be happy!

Grá mór,

REMY Xx

Video: EHCO - Hunted (Live)

Photo: Faye Bollard

REMY is particularly delighted to share the first look at Wicklow experimental electronic act EHCO's live video for their most recent single 'Hunted' which was shot in The Mermaid Café in Bray under the stewardship of director Rosie Barrett, with lighting by Conor Biddle. 

After starting out as a solo project for ex-Enemies musician Eoin Whitfield circa summer 2017, the project quickly evolved when he teamed up with vocalist Jessy Lord on their first release 'Raise it up'. The pair have since released two other singles in 'FIA' and 'Éiclips'. After establishing their live performance in local venues in their hometown and Dublin, numerous festival performances followed such as Other Voices and Castlepalooza, and more recently EHCO remixed DAITHÍ's latest single 'Orange'.

Patience has been one of the bedrocks of EHCO's growing success, a remarkably hard work ethic in fine-tuning their live set and recording new material has pushed them quickly to the forefront of the Irish music consciousness. The pace has quickened slightly in recent months as the momentum builds, and they are due to release their debut EP shortly which has just been completed, as well as the concept video for 'Hunted' premiering on Nialler9 last week (see below - DOP - Robert J. Kavanagh).

Of the single itself, in our recent review we wrote; "With their fourth single, EHCO, led by Eoin Whitfield and fronted by Jessy Lord move firmly into the heat zone, they have truly found their groove now and taken it to another level. 'Hunted' has a life of its own, the movement of sound is so chill and all-encompassing that it takes control of your mind and switches every other sense off for its entire duration, incidentally, Lord has also become my favourite Irish vocalist in recent times. Not many acts are able to deliver such well executed escapism and such a spiritual drift in their music. That's 4 out of 4 for EHCO now."

You can catch EHCO live on the following dates below;

May 18th - The Harbour Bar Bray

May 23rd - Future Proof at BelloBar

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ugAjv3W0R7Ei0TyR8c6UM?si=_9Gma6pgQ-aGqznpRwX_Vg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHCOMUSIC/

Record Store Day 2019 - Saturday, 13th April

Record Store Day 2018 - Waiting for Tower Records to open its doors

Record Store Day 2019 will be my sixth RSD, and it is one of my own personal highlights of the year, buying a record is a buzz, but buying a plethora of records in a few hours is the only thing that still feels like Christmas as a child for me. Ultra-hipsters and cynics were quick to abandon it shortly after its incarnation in 2007 as they felt it moved towards a commercially geared opportunity to fleece punters with limited edition vinyl, which as time went on, wasn't so limited after all. Some of these 'rare' issue presses by larger artists are re-released en masse within the year. The other negative side is online sellers from platforms like eBay swooping in a buying multiple copies of rarities which end up for sale online within hours for multiples of the retail price, grrr! Many independent record shops, such as Tower Records in Dublin, have proactively deterred this nasty capitalistic practice by limiting buyers to single purchases of each record, a fair policy that benefits genuine vinyl heads. 

The Record Spot - Fade Street, RSD 2018, site of Jeff Buckley Sin-É purchase

Personally I couldn't give two hoots about the self-appointed 'purists', I'm half-way through my life (if I'm lucky) and I don't have time to sit at home cleaning my first press of Hank Mobley's Blue Note 1568 from 1957 (I don't actually own it) by the fire-place (don't have a fire-place either) basking in a dark grey cloud of smugness. It is what it is, or has become, all I know is that I enjoy it very much, and it makes me happy. And it's not just the buying, it's the buzz, it's the fretful and paranoid glances from strangers; "I need to watch him, he looks like he wants all the records on my list", and it's the helpful camaraderie. In packed shops, these same untrusting strangers will pass albums, EP's and singles over heads to each other from the shelves to ensure everyone manages to tick off as much of their wanted list as possible.

Tom (bottom of photo) gives the classic "I'm watching you" Record Store Day 'look'

I've managed to get some great additions to my collection of the past few years, from artists such as John Grant, Sam Cooke, Richard Hawley, Rory Gallagher, Sufjan Stevens, Mogwai, and a gorgeous boxset of Jeff Buckley's legendary Live at Sin-É show, extended to over 20 tracks on 4 LP's. The latter of which I only actually opened last month for the first time and had a joyous experience listening to. 

My normal routine is to get to Tower Records before they open at 8am, last year the queue was half-way up Dawson Street, the logic being that they will have the bigger volume of releases by virtue of store size, and therefore increased chance of getting what I want. From there I'll make my way to Freebird Records on Wicklow Street (inside The Secret Book & Record Store), then on to Spindizzy Records in George's Arcade, and finally to the amazing peeps at The Record Spot / R.A.G.E. on Fade Street, who go all out every year with bands and DJ's playing all day. Finally home, examine the swag bag(s), and maybe a glass of French red whilst listening to them for that uber-gratifying feeling. I should point out that outside of Dublin, the two best record shops I've been to and will be participating in RSD2019 are Classified Records in Dundalk, a shop that has unflinchingly supported local acts Just Mustard, AE Mak, Trick Mist, Elephant, Third Smoke and more, and if you're down Dingle way, the beautiful Dingle Record Shop at the corner of Green Street. 

Photo via @towerrecordsdublin

So, what's on the cards for Record Store Day 2019, and what will be on my own wish-list...well, first of all, the full list of participating stores in Ireland are here, and the list of releases available to us (they vary geographically) are here. 

Essential purchases in my humble opinion, absolute gold in bold! 25 of the best from circa 600 releases available in Ireland;

1. The 13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds of... (1966 repress)

2. Aretha Franklin - The Atlantic Singles Collection (1967 repress) a 5 x 7" boxset.

3. Bill Evans - Evans in England: Live at Ronnie Scott's

4. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks: Original New York Test Pressing 

5. Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions Plus 3

6. The Charlatans - Us and Us Only (coloured vinyl)

7. Charlie Parker - Charlie Parker With Strings: The Alternate Takes

8. David Bowie - The World of David Bowie

9. Elastica - BBC Sessions

10. Elvis Presley - Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, 1969

11. Herbie Hancock - Dedication 

12. Irma Thomas - In Between Tears (1973 Repress) - **don't go home without this

13. Janis Joplin - Live at Woodstock 1969

14. John Lennon - Imagine (Raw studio mixes)

15. Manusn - Legacy (single - 12" red vinyl)

16. Pink Floyd - Saucerful of Secrets

17. Prince - The Versace Experience (note: cassette)

18. Roxy Music - Debut Album Remixes

19. Rush - Hemispheres (1978 repress)

20. Sigur Rós - Variations on Darkness (heavyweight LP)

21. Sly & The Family Stone - Live at Woodstock (1969) 

22. Soccer Mommy - For Young Hearts

23. Thin Lizzy - Black Rose (double LP)

24. Van Morrison - Astral Weeks (alternative 10")

25. Wes Montgomery - Back on Indiana Avenue (double LP)

Classified Records, Dundalk (2017) with owner Neil Waters and a future Choice Music Prize nominee

Premiere: Active - Youth (EP)

REMY is very excited to premiere the debut EP, Youth, from singer-songwriter and producer Active, aka Max Skiba, whose releases to date have clocked up in excess of a quarter of a million streams on Spotify alone.

Born Maksymilian Skiba in Naklo nad Notecia, Poland, Active emigrated to Ireland alongside his parents at the age of one. Growing up in a border town where the hip-hop scene was inappreciable, Active found his love and creative outlet in the genre. Inspired first by Logic, J.Cole, NF, Kendrick Lamar & Token. Active's relatable lyrics, impressive flow, impeccable production and extensive versatility make him one of the most exciting acts to emerge out of the Emerald Isle in recent years.

Opening with the pop and rn'b heavy 'Reach', Active paints a wide array of colours, both clear and warped with his sound, the liveliest of introductions that combines party grooves and guest vocal interludes to create a gravy sway. 

Thick sonic effects fleece their way across second track '01 Chronicle', brushing with grime sounds, here Active probably most closely shares the influence of the aforementioned J.Cole stylistically, another pause leading to vocal harmonies reduces the tempo and paves the way for a fading outro, a nice contrast to the manic rumble that has come before.

'Another Day' is, as the song title suggests, A Day In The Life affair, musings on both internalised and external judgement, determination to not fall foul of an insubstantial life and find an anchor in fleeting happiness. Musically it's a smooth and breezy affair with strong pop and rn'b vibes despite the inherent frustration of the theme.

A key highlight is latest single 'I Never Die', again Active puts mundanity and daily slog within the cross-hairs of his lyrics, on this track in particular we get the brightest glimpse of where his sound might develop the most. Jingling sounds and a mechanical lo-fi stuttering beat get right under the listeners skin, and is also another example of how he channels aggression and frustration with great control, avoiding low-shelf clichés.

Closing with 'Life', we find Skiba at his most unhindered and stripped back, it feels unhindered and honest, in full-flight rap mode he carefully places the right sounds and moods in the correct places, and ultimately, as we see again on again on Youth, displays a keen understanding of tidy construction in his song-writing. 

Over time you develop an intuition of where an artist might be headed, it's not an innate feeling, it's merely as a result of recognising patterns. When you take Youth and his previous singles such as the excellent 'Lobotomy' (and the fact he is 18 years of age) into account, the evidence starts to stack up that we are looking at the early stages of one of Ireland's most promising hip-hop producers. 

Youth by Active is out today on all streaming platforms.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3r3yUrTG2m3ry3ICLyvaWH?si=HWq9kEADTYOZHKOTrllDYQ

https://www.facebook.com/ActiveIE/

New Album Releases: April - Anderson.Paak, Weyes Blood, Fontaines D.C., Larry, The Chemical Brothers & more

Photo: Katie Spoleti

There's a right heap of very interesting albums coming out over the next four weeks, so much so that in my little scouring of the interwebs I know I've probably missed a couple of doozys. Of the ones I did check out though, it's a proper feast, no matter what you're into yourself. Firstly there's the latest LP from Anderson Paak., with Malibu still burning brightly as one of my favourite albums of the last 4 years, the early signs are that Ventura may surpass it. One of the most anticipated albums of 2019 thus far is Titanic Rising from New York psychedelic pop artist Weyes Blood whose 2016 LP Front Row Seat to Earth pushed her firmly into the spotlight.

Fontaines D.C. - 'Big'

Locally here in Ireland there are also plenty of new album releases to watch out for, with anticipation reaching fever-pitch, Dublin rock quintet Fontaines D.C. will finally be sharing their debut album Dogrel with the world on the 12th of April, as is Glen Hansard with solo album no. 5 coming in the shape of This Wild Willing. At the end of the month on the 26th, Dundalk lo-fi n' slacker rock trio Larry release their Steve Albini-produced self-titled debut, if you haven't heard of them yet, let's chat about them this time next year, also on this date, Derry solo act SOAK drops sophomore album Grim Town.

I've sort of floated away from The Chemical Brothers since 2005's Push the Button (although I loved the OST for Hanna), but listening to the singles they've released from new album No Geography, I think I will be doing a boomerang back in there. 2011's Portamento was such a delightful album, but The Drums never really recaptured that form on subsequent albums, here's hoping Brutalism reaches those heady heights, singles would suggest there's a chance. Two artists who have appeared here over the last 12 months, London-based Rozi Plain and New York-based Kelsey Lu, will be releasing albums What a Boost and Blood (a debut from Lu) respectively. I was lucky to catch Kelsey Lu on her tour in Dublin last month, and it was a seriously jaw-dropping live performance. 

Rozi Plain - 'Conditions'

5th April

Jai Wolf - The Cure To Loneliness

Rozi Plain - What A Boost 

The Drums - Brutalism

Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising

W. H. Lung - Incidental Music

12th April 

Anderson .Paak - Ventura

Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel

Glen Hansard - This Wild Willing

The Chemical Brothers - No Geography 

19th April

Kelsey Lu - Blood

26th April

Larry - Larry

SOAK - Grim Town

Listen to REMY's New Album Release recommendations for March here https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/03/new-album-releases-march-andrew-bird-white-denim-apparat-beth-gibbons-foals.html

New Irish Albums (March): Conor Walsh, Saoirse Casey, John Blek & Jafaris

Conor Walsh

In order to cover more ground, and miss out on less, we'll be taking a look at some of the best Irish albums released each month (this post was supposed to go up yesterday for the pedants among us!). Four albums that really piqued my interest in March (with one from February) for wildly different reasons, come courtesy of the much anticipated posthumous album The Lucid by Conor Walsh, a game-changer for him as a recording artist via Jafaris' debut LP Stride, a debut album from Saoirse Casey which stopped me in my tracks on first listen, plus a very refreshing contemporary folk album from Cork artist John Blek.

1) Conor Walsh - The Lucid

To say Walsh was on the cusp of great things, on the basis of his debut EP The Front, a 2013 tour supporting Hozier, and appearances at Other Voices, Electric Picnic, Body & Soul and others, feels lazy and final. The Lucid in many ways pings itself back to the past, now in the present with its release, and will go on for good into the future. If I could sum up the album in two words they would be desperate and beauty. It's title-track bounces with a spritely joviality, we've no need to be so serious all of the time, yet the deep piano keys whisper to us about something that might be troubling. Tracks like 'Pleading Sylph' recall the best of Keith Jarrett, as does much of the album, it's ad hoc and intuitive, thankfully lacking construction. But it's by no means an exploration of the forlorn, take 'Oap' for example, intertwining keys and strings leading to an almost abrasive electronic flush. 

I can only attempt to interpret Conor Walsh's music and creative mindset, so best to let him explain it himself, speaking of the track 'Fanthesia'; "I don’t really seek out divine inspiration, I just tend to stumble across it. I usually find it in my surroundings. For a track like 'Fanthesia', I definitely took from the surroundings of my home in County Mayo. I'm fortunate to live in the beautiful Mayo countryside along the river Moy. I don’t see bleakness or boredom in the sparse country landscape. Instead I find beauty and wonder. Simple things energise me to write and play like the droney hums of the farmyards in the distance, the ringings and rumbling of the trains as they pass in the night, often creating their own little melody as they disappear into the abyss, or the tweeting of the birds and of course the magical tranquil sound of the ripple of the river. I love the peace of the place and mystery and awe that can come just from exploring the natural habitat i was born and raised in." 

Key tracks: 'Pleading Sylph', 'The Lucid', 'Tine', 'Oap'

2) Saoirse Casey - Lunaria

I really, really like the debut album Lunaria from Saoirse Casey, like John Blek, it's a really fine melting pot of classic folk with undeniably modern textures and lacquer. The first time I listened to it I was straight away subsumed by the power, emotion and sincerity which weaves its way through each of the tracks, there are anthemic and soft moments, with everything wrapped in a banket of tenderness, best captured in opener 'Breathe Easy'. The best track on the album for me comes early on in 'Moon Hotel'; "a home is a home, whether built out of stone, where you live with your family". Later on in the second-half of the album comes 'Carousel', you can hear the fingers move along the metal strings of the acoustic guitar with little swipes as the chords change, and Casey's vocal is like cotton-wool for the ears. There are many such moments on Lunaria, a gorgeous album.

Key tracks: 'Moon Hotel', 'Carousel', 'Breathe Easy', 'Celeste'

3) John Blek - Thistle & Thorn

John Blek's a curio, and a wonderful one at that, sometimes his sound is utterly familiar, but riddled with unexpected geysers of bliss. His last album Catharsis Vol. I was a big stride into the wider consciousness of the Irish music scene, album number five, Thistle & Thorn absolutely deserves more appraisal and consideration, alas, such is the state of play right now with the volume of music locally. Single 'The Blackwater' is a good place to start, but to get down to the grit of authenticity you need to listen to 'Lily in the Garden'. 

What makes Blek stand out amongst peers, and he might humbly disagree I'm sure, is the assertiveness of his song-writing. It doesn't feel warped in a certain direction by a lack of confidence, or dwelling on outside perceptions, it is what it is, a song-writer dedicated to his craft (which is honourable) but who is also writing rich lyrics and music. Often we complain about Irish artists sounding like their American genre-counterparts, but I want Blek to sound like this, his voice is his own, but I don't want to hear the next Irish singer-songwriter, I want to hear someone better than the likes of Damien Jurado or Andrew Bird who just so happens to be Irish.

Key Tracks: 'The Blackwater', 'Hannah', 'Lily in the Garden', 'If I'

4) Jafaris - Stride

In 2017 Jafaris blew my head half off with his debut EP Velvet Cake, it was raw, aggressive and tender in equal measure, the pinnacle for me being single 'If You Love Me', one of the best Irish singles of the last 5 years at a conservative stretch. Stride is going to see him going beyond the stratosphere, already clocking up outrageous amount of plays online. His debut album matches ambition with the talent he holds, masterfully produced, 100% deserving of a far and wide listenership, the dreams are no longer small. 

On a personal note, I would have liked to have heard more of the soul-pop that was characteristic of those early releases, I think those songs really reached out on a personal level. That said, there are many highlights on Stride, 'Found My Feat' and 'Time' being the obvious examples, I think closing track 'Ghost' connects closest to what I enjoyed the most from his early output, as does second track 'Brother's Keeper', oh no, I'm that guy! "I prefer his earlier stuff", but honestly it's not like that, Jafaris' music will be sizzling hot in the pan for a long time, especially after Stride.

As an additional aside, I found myself really interested in the religiosity of parts of the album. Symbolism such as the album cover, like a tortured Christ, the lyrics of opener 'Stride'; "Who am I...a son of man or a son of god?", as well as song titles like 'God's Not Stupid'.
Key tracks: 'Time', 'Found My Feet', 'Brother's Keeper'

The VidList #014: Jamie Adam, Grainne Cotter, Fat Pablo

Photo: Luke Fitzpatrick

Our regular series of The VidList captures the best music videos (and tracks!) released over the past few weeks. Below we have new music videos across varied styles, from electronic, contemporary folk, and pop.

1) Jamie Adam - 'Nocturnal'

Dublin electronic and indie artist Jamie Adam released his fourth single 'Nocturnal' last week, the final track to be released from his debut album Melodic Electronic which is due out next month. There are a couple of significant and exciting aspects to the music he has shared to date. Firstly, diversity, none of the singles can be casually linked as sounding in any way 'samey', they are all stand alone. Secondly the song-writing and tone is unavoidably invigorating, but in a natural way, nothing is forced, it's simply cool without trying to be. 'Nocturnal' conjures up a pastiche of lo-fi Panda Bear moments, Peter, Bjorn & John pop happiness and colourful escapist chill from one of the most exciting and fun electronic solo acts to emerge in the past 12 months.

2) Gráinne Cotter - 'Shadows'

Galway-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gráinne Cotter released her debut album Tides last year, a vibrant and at times nicely subdued jazz-influenced collection of songs that would bring with it appearances at Other Voices and Electric Picnic among others. Her latest single 'Shadows' is notably different to Tides, but in all of the right ways, sticking to the bedrock of calm, but with a more polished oomph in its delivery. There's a lot happening here, a twinkling and enchanting opening that barely recedes across the duration of the track, a toe-dip into the progressive folk sounds you'd associate with Pentangle and Fairport Convention courtesy of some delightful flute at 1:42. It sounds assured, and truly majestic. Anecdotally the space suit worn by actor Seán T. O'Meallaigh in the video is the same one that featured in David Bowie's 'Blackstar' video.

3) Fat Pablo - 'Darts'

A couple of weeks ago we reviewed the debut single from Dublin psych-troupe Fat Pablo, 'Shambala', new single 'Darts' was released just today, and provides greater insight into where the band are coming from, and going to, musically. More electronic than its predecessor, 'Darts' delves into ambient territory with great ease, it's chill, and it's very much relatable. "Forever gone to another place, fuck all this wind blowing in my face" a line I (and probably most Irish people to be fair) can sigh and nod to. The layers of sound are shuffled like a pack of cards, and just like the mood, it's done in a very nonchalant manner, almost unwillingly. Like a lo-fi Fjaak with lyrics.

Check out our previous VidList, No. 13, here https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-vidlist-ae-mak-wob-jackie-beverly-jake-regan-junk-drawer.html

Premiere: Krisdeberg - Again

It’s a pleasure to share the second single, 'Again', from Dublin electronic four-piece Krisdeberg here on REMY, the follow up to the previously premiered 'Lies' from November last year. Once again they have, in their own words, "recorded and produced everything ourselves in the studio amidst the synths, drum machines and wires (so many wires)." This is where magic really happens.

Drawing on diverse influences ranging from the polished dark synth-pop of Depeche Mode to the raw, self produced clamour created by LCD Soundsystem, Krisdeberg have created a sound all of their own.

Their second release 'Again' investigates the very human tendency of allowing our love to be used against us married to an initially tender ballad that makes way for a rhythmic, analog synth driven crescendo.

Where 'Lies' packed punch, drone-like synths, and an overlay of dark industrial chill, 'Again' hits more ponderous tones, is lavish in its 80's retro-synth moodiness, and embraces a dramatic vocal delivery. There’s a very sharp clarity and crispness to the vox which, rather than compliment the music as is wont on a lot of synth-led tracks, fully takes centre stage, with great results. The track will resonate with fans of Simple Minds, INXS, and Depeche Mode, all of whom placed assertive vocals right up to the front of their most popular songs. It might be a bit brash to describe Krisdeberg's music as 80’s synth-porn, but like a musical Icarus, they veer very close to that sense of fulfilment and gratification. Two out of two thus far.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/11ZdNQ0GyPjL3U8AZMM4zS?si=4FKG36vjQMK89mH7xWEeiA

https://www.facebook.com/krisdebergmusic/

The VidList #013: Æ MAK, WOB!, Jackie Beverly, Jake Regan & Junk Drawer

As a medium for delivering both music and sparking our imaginations, the music video is a mode of expression that I have and always will love, perhaps driven by my other great passion, film! Below we have some wonderful Irish music videos that have been released in the last few weeks.

1) Æ MAK - 'We Have It Right Here: A Love Cult'

My suggested videos on YouTube over the past 12 months, whilst entirely innocent, would probably be a cause for concern without context. I've always been fascinated by cults since going on a deep dive into The Manson Family a number of years ago. Possibly because I watched a documentary on it recently, Æ MAK's video for 'We Have It Right Here: A Love Cult' echos Wayne Curtis Bent's the Lord Our Righteousness Church, an end of days cult in New Mexico. Of course the standard hallmarks apply widely, a strange expression of heightened bliss in the eyes of followers, who, when faced with evidence and logic about their nefarious leader, laugh loudly at how ridiculous the accusations are, whilst their leader sits among them smiling quietly. Unsettling stuff! Video producer Tim Shearwood captures this 'return to Eden' psychosis perfectly in the facial expressions of the actors, and the ensuing communal ecstasy which follows. Our recent review of the track can be found here.

2) WOB! - 'Syncopate'

The Irish King of house and drum n'bass WOB! is firing out the singles thus far in 2019, and 'Syncopate' shows that the curve bell is still heading north. The Serbian born artist reached out to Polish creatives for the stunning visuals on the video for 'Syncopate', lead by Okime Emiko. It's an arresting affair, how can something so high-tempo and sonically claustrophobic somehow lend itself to chilled out vibes, the bass-lines are so chunky and large they barely make their way out of the speakers. I think if WOB! did a collab with Æ MAK above my head would probably explode.

3) Jackie Beverly - 'Talk it Through'

Rising Irish star Jackie Beverly released her debut music video for single 'Talk it Through' this weekend. Directed by Ciaran O'Brien, Beverly shares; "I wanted the video to weave in and around the concepts of relationships, friendships and mental health, as these are the main factors that influence my songwriting. These concepts are so diverse and complex in themselves that it was important to leave space in the video for people to make up their own meaning to it." 

Of the track itself we recently wrote; "Beverly connects seamlessly with her late-2018 debut single 'Out of Reasons', developing on that soft and gorgeously placid synth-driven momentum, her latest track wanders further off into a lush and enchanting darkness, taking us with it. There is certainly a deeper dive into the best aspects of 80's synth-pop here, little bit Kate Bush musically, particularly on the percussion, and vocally my fav Jane Wiedlin of Go-Go's fame. But Beverly's vocal and music are her own, the mood she delivers is desperately disarming and understated, becoming the perfect medium for the listener to disappear very far into."

4) Jake Regan - 'Over It'

A very welcome return to the local music scene, Jake Regan released his solo debut single 'Over It' a few weeks ago, and there is now a beautifully shot visual accompaniment by production company C-47 to go with it. Shot on the beaches of Wicklow and the Dublin mountains it; "...takes place over a night of huffed petrol and terrible sexual encounters."

From a 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.

5) Junk Drawer - 'Year of the Sofa'

I promise I didn't forget, it's just been a little while is all. Goddamn Belfast's Junk Drawer are the finest purveyors of antique slacker-rock, latest single 'Year of the Sofa' is like Pavement's Brighten the Corners on 21st century synthetic steroids. Jake Lennox's vocal has also never sounded better, almost matched by his acting prowess as the video's central figure. Junk Drawer describe the concept of the song & video as being; "Written during one of many ongoing bouts with ennui, our nameless hero spends more time preparing for the mythical perfect moment than actually carrying out said plans. They remain largely an observer, wallowing in languor and taking refuge in stolen moments with Prestige TelevisionTM when conscience permits as more of an observer."

Word has it that this is the first taster of Junk Drawer's debut LP, that may be out over the coming months....

Check out our previous VidList, No. 12, here https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-vidlist-delush-baba-happyalone-pillow-queens-shaky-shack.html

Single: orla - 'breathe'

orla is an 18 year-old independent musician / producer from Meath who released her debut single, 'dream' (below), at the start of the year, followed quickly by latest release 'breathe' which she shared yesterday. With a modus operandi based on ambient and downtempo movements, both tracks are impressively accomplished from the newcomer. 'breathe' is delicately subtle and unassuming, flowing synths and a chirpy beat converge and a delicious bass line joins the fray at 1:44.

'dream' follows that nonchalant gaze as well, it's lathered in chill and also contains elements of 80's synth-pop. Although it's early doors for orla, there is a competency to the structure and delivery of both tracks that can only leave you pondering the possibilities for such a young artist at this stage of their musical journey. 

https://orlasounds.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1aAygrf5mZ1hhFU3TF78Mg

Single: Oyster Kids - Losing My Mind

Los Angeles' Oyster Kids spark excitement with their blend of hauntingly beautiful melodies, dark grooves, and melancholic atmosphere.  

The band began as a recording project for multi-instrumentalist Andrew Eapen, who writes, records, and produces the music. On tour and in the studio, Eapen (vocals, guitar) is joined by Jonathan Bradley (drums), Robbie Gullage (bass), and Roy Tanaka (keyboards). 

Last year, Oyster Kids took some time off from performing to craft the next era for the band in 2019. With an upcoming EP and full-length album due later this year, the band is ready to shed away their mystery.

Long-time favourites of REMY's, L.A.'s Oyster Kids released their latest single, 'Losing My Mind' this week, accompanied by a visually stunning music video. A cotton-wool wrapped chunky bass-line acts as the harbinger of the escapist and chilled vibe that follows. A careful balance of pensive yet ultimately optimistic vocals and harmonies offer a truly lush and colourful listening experience from the finest purveyors of infectious psychedelic dream-pop.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iN89s0E8GcsTkIvCtYMRa?si=-fwqe9RBRKitxZhvtVlj3g

https://www.facebook.com/OysterKidsMusic

Premiere: Late Night Pharmacy - Flamingo (EP)

Photo: Yawei Zhang

REMY is very happy to premiere the brand new EP, Flamingo, from Dublin alt-rock and post-punk trio Late Night Pharmacy. 

Sprinting straight out of the blocks is the rapid-fire single 'June', taking its cues from their self-professed influence of the early post-punk revival of Interpol, albeit in a far more upbeat manner, fans of Turn On the Bright Lights will instantly be endeared to this sound, it's a dizzying and highly enjoyable introduction to LNP. 

Slowing affairs down, second track 'Texlahoma' is a flighty and ponderous number, taking off at 1:51 with a very nicely timed pre-chorus break and the wry lines; "I met a girl with hair dyed blonde, her eyes were green // Told her she had just the prettiest roots you ever did see // "Bet you never heard that one before," // But she just smiled and said it wouldn't hurt to hear it once more." The band really fire-up the engines for the final minute and closing verse, essentially creating three distinctive moments slotted carefully together for maximum impact.

A strong finish is in store with closer 'Jynx', which feels like Late Night Pharmacy edging closer to their true destination musically, a melodic yet heavier guitar intro harks back to a mid-90's alt-rock sound. The first impressions from 'June' are flipped entirely upside-down half-way through the track, a slightly jovial look at a frustrated unloved protagonist takes a dark turn into an alleyway of sinister post-rock. 

From a personal perspective, if you are engaging in any format of rock sub-genre you need to be able to go loud and stick the knife into the music's spine and twist it around a little. Late Night Pharmacy do not disappoint on this front, with the arc of Flamingo curving from the ear-friendly openings of 'June' downwards toward harsher territory on 'Jynx', there's an awareness of the purpose and mood of post-punk music on display which is often poorly neglected. Play it loud.

https://latenightpharmacy.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/latenightpharmacyband/

New Album Releases: March - Andrew Bird, White Denim, Apparat, Beth Gibbons, Foals & more

New album releases are now fully in swing for 2019, the numbers are many each week, so I'll keep browsing and condensing to try my best to put the cream of the crop (IMHO!) in your earphones between now and the end of the year. 

Fun anecdote to start with, shortly after they released their debut album, the unreal Workout Holiday, in 2008, a young(er) Remy emailed White Denim, it was cringe on my behalf, but basically I told them I'd just bought their album, I was a huge fan, and would they becoming to Ireland anytime soon? A really polite reply came back from frontman James Petralli, which, for comedic purposes, more or less said; "Wellll, we just played there a few weeks ago", thus bursting my super-fan persona. A nice thing to note from the exchange though was that the band said they would be back in Ireland, depending on how the album goes. 8 albums later, and I couldn't tell you how many times they've played shows and festivals here. Anyway, their latest album Side Effects is out at the end of this month on the 29th March, and here we feature single 'Shanalala' which is probably their most Workout Holiday single in 11 years. 

A couple of years before that I was getting into Andrew Bird in a big way, particularly Weather Systems (2003) and Armchair Apocrphya (2007), in particular again, single 'Heretics' off the latter. It feels like new album My Finest Work Yet, may be just that, reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens' recent storming of the Bastille, Carrie & Lowell in terms of masterful song-writing, 'Sisyphus' speaks for itself I think.

I'm also excited about the new Apparat, CFCF and Foals albums based on the singles released to date, not to mention Animal Collective's Avey Tare who releases his sixth solo album.

Oh, and there's one more thing, no singles have been released from it yet so I can't post it here, but this will probably be the masterpiece album of the year, Beth Gibbons & the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Henryk Górecki: Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs). There's a version of one of the tracks that I think will be performed by the Portishead chanteuse on the album at the end of the above playlist and below sung by Dawn Upshaw, I, can, not, wait.

1st March:

CFCF - Liquid Colours

8th March:

Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1

Sigrid - Sucker Punch

15th March:

The Faint - Egowerk

22nd March:

Andrew Bird - My Finest Work

Apparat - LP5 

Avey Tare - Cows On Hourglass Pond

29th March:

Beth Gibbons & the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra - Henryk Górecki: Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs)

C Duncan - Health

Ty Segall - Deforming Lobes

White Denim - Side Effects

Listen to REMY's New Album Release recommendations for February  here https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/02/new-album-releases-february-julia-jacklin-panda-bear-cass-mccombs-ladytron.html