Photo: Sarah Ryan
Info: REMY's final Irish independent playlist for 2018 is here, topping off another wonderful 12 months during which we reviewed over 300 singles on our regular playlist feature. Some tracks are a couple of weeks old, some brand new, and there are some excellent music videos included below too. Thanks for tuning in and dropping out!
1) Junior Brother - 'The Back of Her'
The brevity of the much-loved 'Hungover at Mass' makes way for a powerfully emotional experience on Junior Brother's latest single 'The Back of Her'. In Sin-É last year and The Cobblestone this year the man from The Kingdom managed to put an auld lump in my throat, and now here we have it in recorded form. It's even hitting Blindboy in the feels, who is giving high praise to Kealy's song-writing online, and rightly so. As the stage gets bigger, so does JB's craftsmanship.
2) D Sharpson - 'Why Don't You Come On Out?'
I wish I couldn't, but sadly I can relate to the protagonist in producer D Sharpson's latest music video and single for 'Why Don't You Come On Out?', and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. The tub-thumping smackdown from his Jazz in Germany EP fills me with joy, the visuals with dread - a tongue-in-cheek house choon for the masses, I shall be playing this on Christmas Day.
3) Party Fears - 'Sun King II'
Northern Ireland's Maggie Devlin and Adelaide's Eilis Frawley aka Party Fears have been one of my favourite acts to come across in 2018. This week they released the latest single from their upcoming EP Just Friends, 'Sun King II'. A rip-roaring three and a half minutes which hits all of the right post-punk and angst notes in a highly addictive manner.
4) The Slut Club - 'Cool :)'
Speaking of anarchic tones, Cork psychedelic-rock trio The Slut Club released single 'Cool :)' a few weeks back. From a chaotic headbangers ball of an opening the band slip seamlessly into a delicious old school rock passage, this is what a collaboration between the Stones and Marc Bolan might have sounded like. I would be eager to see this vibe live in 2019.
The Slut Club
5) Squarehead - 'Always On'
Taken from their forthcoming LP which is due for release early 2019, Dublin trio Squarehead shared new single 'Always On' at the end of November. It's a gem, an inconsolable vocal flits across the tastiest of jangle-pop melodies and rhythm. For fans of The Cure, Ride and Slowdive, this is a very tantalising early look at what the album might hold in store.
6) Chirpy - 'Another Version'
Taken from Chirpy's self-titled debut album which was released earlier this year, single 'Another Version' is accompanied by a brand new video. The visuals encapsulate the duality of calm atmospheric dream-pop and the unsettled personal claustrophobia the artist is relaying. Chirpy's classical background also shines through in the sound and mood of the track, but also in the choral vocal which is very smooth and easy on the ear.
7) Runway Lights - 'Broad Strokes'
Dublin alternative indie five-piece Runway Lights released their latest single 'Broad Strokes' earlier this week. A slow twinkling intro melts away into foreboding percussion and melancholic guitar progressions. Lead vocalist Louise O'Hanlon channels this sadness in the most delicate way, vulnerable yet growing in assertiveness as the track progresses. The lead guitar also recalling the jangle-pop majesty of iconic Warwickshire group Felt.
8) Fí - 'Feel Better'
Mullingar alternative-pop artist Fí released her latest single 'Feel Better' last week, a very clean and well produced track, Fiona Lennon fully embraces all of the best elements of contemporary pop music with a distinct rn'b groove wrapping itself around the anthemic chorus.
9) John Hynes - 'Some Snow Must Fall'
From the man whose vocal can melt the hardest of hearts, this playlist would not be complete without some festive charm. John Hynes croons, we swoon, velvet tenderness lathers itself all across his Christmas single 'Some Snow Must Fall'. Musically it's Richard Hawley circa Cole's Corner, vocally we get a twist of Orbison and yes, Misty. When you're scurrying around busy streets over the next week or so, stick this on with headphones, and all will be well with the world. I promise.
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2018/12/irish-playlist-nnic-daithi-variant-sea-brass-phantoms.html
