Photo: Niall O'Kelly Photography
Delicious. We have some absolutely gorgeous choons from a wide variety of genres and styles on REMY's latest independent Irish playlist, one I will be listening to a lot over the next while as a result.
1) Royal Yellow - 'Aruba'
The second single from Dublin-based multi-genre act and producer Royal Yellow, aka Mark O'Brien, 'Aruba' bursts into gloriously soul-jam flames instantly. Spreading his musical wings far wider than on previous single, the amazing 'Hazeldene', O'Brien masterfully sweeps us into the past. Soul-funk-pop-jazz o'rama, there's so much happening here. One minute I'm on the set of Gordon Parks Jnr.'s Super Fly, chillin' with Curtis in the sunshine, or is it Isaac Hayes' Shaft. Next I'm jungle boogeying with Kool & The Gang, and those orchestral waterfalls coupled by Royal Yellow's voice are an illegal level of blissful.
2) EHCO - 'Hunted'
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.
Photo: Faye Bollard
3) Moylan - 'On the Right Side'
Dublin-based Waterford singer-songwriter Moylan released her second single 'On the Right Side' yesterday, the follow up to debut 'Naive'. Interestingly both tracks are markedly different, the former a more sombre and slightly country-folk affair, here Moylan opts for a more jazz-soul pop timbre. A lovely bass and brush on snare intro sets the floaty tone, as the song rises up Moylan's voice is used perfectly to relay her story in a restrained theatrical manner. A warm and highly enjoyable second offering ahead of her debut EP release in June.
4) The Late David Turpin - 'Concubine' feat. Elephant
Inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche, as well as the final lines of sci-fi classic Dune; "We who carry the name of concubine - history will call us wives.", the latest single from The Late David Turpin is taken from his soon to be released LP ROMANCES. It's hard to think of a more fitting word than ethereal when describing 'Concubine', the chorus of ghostly spectres flit in and out around Elephant's perfectly fitting vocal. The electro-jam is also rhythmically as sweet as they come.
5) BODIES - 'Slave'
Dublin's David Anthony McGeown (aka BODIES) shares the latest single from last year's excellent Drench album in 'Slave'. The track sees BODIES flip their characteristic slow build on its head and get straight down to business in an instantly gripping fashion. High tempo and tightly wound percussion charging through the track like a wild horse that won't be taken down. For all of the customary mood-based sounds, BODIES can slip into bombastic distortion and rock blow-outs at the drop of a hat as required.
6) Hvmmingbyrd - 'Legacy'
Hvmmingbyrd deal with an interesting theme on their latest single 'Legacy', that part ego / part insecurity idea of leaving your imprint in a significant way before shuffling off your mortal coil. On the one hand you only get one shot, life after all, is not a dress rehearsal, the only show is happening right now! The duo allow the listener plenty of time to contemplate this concept, but also, if desired, slipping under a mesmeric rotation of sharp hypnotic electronic beats, shimmering synths and harmonies.
RUNAH - Photo: The Rose Mill
7) RUNAH - 'Ground'
One of the most unique artists to emerge last year, RUNAH released new single 'Ground' yesterday, a glimpse into her debut album Strange which is due on the 5th of May. Musically taking its cues from the baroque pop and blue-eyed soul of the likes of Dusty Springfield and Connie Francis, there is a sheer force of other-worldly power that emanates from RUNAH's voice, it's haunting, but not in an unsettling manner. When we enter her songs as guests, she leaves us in no doubt that she is the master of all before her, this is her kingdom, I look forward to exploring more of it when the album drops.
8) Sarah Buckley - 'You've Got Me'
With every listen I get more and more charmed by the debut single from Dublin-based singer-songwriter Sarah Buckley. The Cork musician has been active on the local live scene for some time and the long-awaited release of 'You've Got Me' has been well worth it. A verse that is all kinds of catchy, with bubbling melodies, suave electric guitar interludes, Buckley's inviting vocal performance, and a tongue-in-cheek look at the strange behaviours that can emerge with some romantic encounters make for a strong first outing.
9) Proper Micro NV - 'Salt'
From one of our favourite Irish albums of 2018, Dormant Boy, Limerick's Rory Hall, aka Proper Micro NV, shares the new music video for his single 'Salt'. The bass and pads are thick as a plank in the most energising way, Hall takes us into the deep house trance zone, a sound we previously described as reminiscent of heyday Commodore 64 glitches for the modern era. Tune in, and drop out.
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/02/irish-playlist-otherkin-lux-alma-mob-wife-tadgh-orla-gartland.html
