Participant - Photo: Ciara Coyne
A very exciting selection of singles have been released over the past week, including a new single from long-term blog favourite Participant, delicious new tracks from Æ MAK and Jackie Beverly, as well as a zinger of a cover by Arvo Party & LARKS. Not to mention most welcome new releases with videos from Future West, Fox Jaw and the brilliant SYLK for their previous single 'All in Ur Head'. In terms of debut singles, highly, highly recommending Galway's Slyrydes and Dublin-based Fat Pablo on this playlist, we thankfully also have visuals for both too.
1) Participant - 'Medicine'
Since 2014 two Participant's have peacefully co-existed with each other, the bare minimalist acoustic version, and the atmospheric electronic one. 'Medicine' is a perfect summary of these two merry musical bedfellows. The opening minute sees gentle picking and Participant's soft-spoken vocal, subtly the gradient towards the music's alter ego commences. The second half of the track features creeping erratic strings and a monotone thudding beat, when piano joins the fray with percussion the entire rainbow is replete with all of its wondrous colours.
2) Æ MAK - 'We Have It Right Here'
I often get so caught up in the musical bliss of Æ MAK's music that I don't spend enough time pondering the lyrics until a number of listens have been had. With 'We Have It Right Here' I find myself in reverse, attentively absorbing them from first listen. In culture and mythology, the dark is when evil and fear stalk, and morning light heralds the return to safety. In her lyrics McCann turns this on its head, and it makes absolute sense in the modern era, night now feels like the only time we can get respite from the world and our own thoughts. When our subconscious can say; "Thank god I can switch that eejits thoughts off for a few hours". Pretty flourishes of wide-eyed synths, gentle xylophone and a reassuring vocal grow bolder and defiant, ending with a lapping of water, musical mindfulness at its most intoxicating.
3) Jackie Beverly - 'Let's Talk It Through'
'Let's Talk It Though' from Jackie 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) Arvo Party & LARKS - 'Running Up That Hill'
Has there ever been such a well-known and famous single as Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' where you have ever once thought; "I've heard this too many times"? The answer is no, and I speak for everyone when I say that, end of. This cover by Arvo Party and LARKS is as horrendously addictive as the original, adding a bit of smooth and a dollop more darkness to proceedings. A respectful homage that thankfully has avoided a major overhaul of KB's masterpiece.
5) Nogymx - 'Komorebi'
Korea-based Galway electronic artist Nogymx released his latest single 'Komorebi' at the end of February, and it has had me so smitten with every listen. It slices right to the heart of two of my all time favourite downtempo electronic albums, Tourist by St.Germain (jazz, jazz, jazz!), and Mount Kimbie's Crooks & Lovers but also some Nicolas Jaar. These are just my ears, others may pick it up differently, but everything is executed so flawlessly here, maintenance of the chill, allowing the beat to breathe - distant, to the fore, and back again. I would happily zone out listening to this one track on loop for over an hour.
6) SYLK - 'All in Ur Head'
Live SYLK are an act that will make you happily numb to reality and pull you out of your body with their hypnotic and mesmeric sound-potion. This sense is less overt in their recorded work but no less potent. 'All in Ur Head' is so chock-a-block with ominous, in your face bulky beats and quick-fire vocals that the option of not being subsumed by the overall method is removed from the listener. Daragh Locke's input is complimentary, allowing the track switch from full industrial drone to a jolt from the slumber when he enters the fray.
2) Æ MAK - 'We Have It Right Here'
I often get so caught up in the musical bliss of Æ MAK's music that I don't spend enough time pondering the lyrics until a number of listens have been had. With 'We Have It Right Here' I find myself in reverse, attentively absorbing them from first listen. In culture and mythology, the dark is when evil and fear stalk, and morning light heralds the return to safety. In her lyrics McCann turns this on its head, and it makes absolute sense in the modern era, night now feels like the only time we can get respite from the world and our own thoughts. When our subconscious can say; "Thank god I can switch that eejits thoughts off for a few hours". Pretty flourishes of wide-eyed synths, gentle xylophone and a reassuring vocal grow bolder and defiant, ending with a lapping of water, musical mindfulness at its most intoxicating.
3) Jackie Beverly - 'Let's Talk It Through'
'Let's Talk It Though' from Jackie 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.
Photo: Ciarán O'Brien
4) Arvo Party & LARKS - 'Running Up That Hill'
Has there ever been such a well-known and famous single as Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' where you have ever once thought; "I've heard this too many times"? The answer is no, and I speak for everyone when I say that, end of. This cover by Arvo Party and LARKS is as horrendously addictive as the original, adding a bit of smooth and a dollop more darkness to proceedings. A respectful homage that thankfully has avoided a major overhaul of KB's masterpiece.
5) Nogymx - 'Komorebi'
Korea-based Galway electronic artist Nogymx released his latest single 'Komorebi' at the end of February, and it has had me so smitten with every listen. It slices right to the heart of two of my all time favourite downtempo electronic albums, Tourist by St.Germain (jazz, jazz, jazz!), and Mount Kimbie's Crooks & Lovers but also some Nicolas Jaar. These are just my ears, others may pick it up differently, but everything is executed so flawlessly here, maintenance of the chill, allowing the beat to breathe - distant, to the fore, and back again. I would happily zone out listening to this one track on loop for over an hour.
6) SYLK - 'All in Ur Head'
Live SYLK are an act that will make you happily numb to reality and pull you out of your body with their hypnotic and mesmeric sound-potion. This sense is less overt in their recorded work but no less potent. 'All in Ur Head' is so chock-a-block with ominous, in your face bulky beats and quick-fire vocals that the option of not being subsumed by the overall method is removed from the listener. Daragh Locke's input is complimentary, allowing the track switch from full industrial drone to a jolt from the slumber when he enters the fray.
7) Fox Jaw - 'Madeline'
On Friday Limerick alternative-rock band Fox Jaw thankfully returned with a bang with their first single since 2014 in the shape of 'Madeline'. Big guitars, thudding drumbeats, smokey vocals and plenty of crunch across it all, the new single oozes a sultry and slick coolness that whisks you up right to the top of their moody rock hurricane.
8) Future West - 'Human'
Now London-based, Dundalk alternative act Francis Watters released his latest single 'Human' under the moniker Future West last week. A reminder, a gentle tap on the shoulder even, that everything you see through a screen is not as it seems, it has been distorted and manipulated and shaped to a certain end. Envy, insecurity and melancholy are unfortunately the vicious pit you can fall into without a modicum of perspective. Future West avoids being preachy with a soft toned vocal and lackadaisical musical delivery. With an engaging lyrical wit that rollicks off the tongue the protagonist prods; "Oh it's in those eyes. It's in those big brown eyes. Those eyes love telling lies."
9) Slyrydes - 'Mental Health'
Whilst it's always to be encouraged when artists take on controversial or topical social commentary in their song-writing, without good music to partner it, the message can end up lost. It's not an easy task, and it gets even harder when you do it from a punk perspective, how can you channel that aggression musically without it just turning out as a plate of stodgy mash? Galway four-piece Slyrydes will be able to advise you there, as they've nailed it on debut single 'Mental Health', a justifiably scathing critique of the HSE. The anarchic and exasperated mechanical trundle of the music holding a mirror up to disillusionment as it morphs into seething impatience and anger. I fully concur with the consensus since the release that the band are throwing down a marker and are ones to keep an eye on as 2019 unfolds. I'd imagine some manner of protective headgear could be advantageous at their live shows too.
10) Fat Pablo - 'Shambala'
Dublin band Fat Pablo released their appropriately titled debut single 'Shambala' - Sanskrit for peace and tranquillity - last month. A gentle mystique permeates its way through deft guitar-picking and a melancholic, pain-filled, and world weary vocal. Harmonies and lead vocal merge in the most spiritually uplifting manner, celestial strings compounding that sense. The orchestral birth is brief, and the interchange between grand musical bursts (which evaporate as quickly as they appear), and grounded bare vocals is a very moving and euphoric experience. A spell-binding debut.
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/02/irish-playlist-jake-regan-active-peachface-sick-love-arthur-valentine.html
