The Vercettis
REMY's latest independent Irish playlist features the newest single releases from the past fortnight with reviews.
1) The Vercettis - 'You'
There's a lot to enjoy on the latest single from Cork-based trio The Vercettis, 'You'. A dreamy guitar riff gives off a very mellow lo-fi air, it's difficult not to crack a knowing smile at the line; "And my Momma thinks you're nice, but she hasn't met you twice". The breezy sway veers slightly into classical prog territory at it's half-way point, before reverting back to the highly enjoyable slumber of its beginnings.
2) New Pagans - 'It's Darker'
Few do dark riff-heavy rock as well as Belfast-based quintet New Pagans, new single 'It's Darker' is a bone fide guitar throttling that doesn't take itself too seriously despite its ultra-cool veneer. To these ears at least, the hook-laden catchiness of the track recalls Sunderland's Kenickie as it packs a visceral punch across its 3 and a half minutes. New Pagans will be playing the Eastbound Festival at The Sound House on the 7th May and I highly recommend checking them out.
3) Anna Mullarkey - 'Sometimes'
I've had 'Sometimes' by Galway's Anna Mullarkey on loop since I first heard it, using analogue synths and effects, and keeping things simultaneously simple but sonically fulsome, Mullarkey has carved out a track which perfects the art of the build. It's a very steady curve from the beginning to end which is highly absorbing and cries out for repeated listens.
4) Hatchlings - 'Choir in the Belly'
Vocally echoing Kings of Convenience, 'Choir in the Belly' from Hatchlings is a gorgeous serenade to the self. Undoubtedly masters of the harmony, the band seamlessly tie in classic folk with a contemporary polish, it's wonderfully sleepy and balances pensive happy / sad feelings effortlessly giving it a very timeless feel.
5) MUNKY - 'One in Five'
Electric blues-rock rabble rousers MUNKY return with a bristling salvo in the shape of 'One in Five' which is taken from their forthcoming debut EP, Un, Deux, Trois, Cat. Searing inter-play between guitars are tempered with a spoken-word interlude from frontman Zac Stephenson, an emotionally-charged reflection on the continuing difficulties faced by victims of sexual assault in a supposedly caring society. MUNKY launch their EP on the 12th of April in The Grand Social.
Photo: Gary Morris-Roe
6) Lost Frequencies feat. FLYNN - 'Recognise'
It's an easy default position to take to distrust commercial-sounding pop music, alas, an open-mind is like a parachute. 'Recognise' by Belgian producer Lost Frequencies (Felix De Laet) featuring our own FLYNN is unapologetically driven toward radio airwaves, but by god is it catchy, and more importantly, different to your standard fare. Tropical loops and woodwind instrumentation, combined with FLYNN's easy on the ear vocal make it stand out from the crowd, and I'm enjoying this groove more than perhaps I should!
7) The Elephant Room - 'Bad News (For Good People)'
Dublin-based Wexford outift The Elephant Room consistently make hazy lo-fi tunes that resonate fully with my own personal tastes, 'Bad News (For Good People)' is a perfect summary and snapshot of their (impressively large) catalogue to date. I've probably mentioned this in previous reviews of their music, but if I was to put a finger on just one band that they remind me of it would be cult Minneapolis alt-rock band Sugar. They are just so good at throwing piping-hot guitar solos into the middle of laid-back passages unexpectedly.
8) SOAK - 'Déjà Vu'
Currently representing Ireland this week at the SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas, Derry's SOAK released the glistening 80's-tinged pop of 'Déjà Vu' just last week. The track, taken from her forthcoming sophomore album Grim Town (April 26th) is, on the surface, a colourful retro synth-pop journey. Thematically Grim Town is a fictional place which resides in SOAK's mind, each track on the album providing individual glimpses to different parts of this arena.
9) Tuesday at Six - 'Passion Bubblegum'
Wexford four-piece Tuesday at Six released latest single 'Passion Bubblegum' last week. This is not a standard fare alt-rock piece by any means, slick as you please guitar riffs and a moody vocal, I find myself intermittently floating between the modern and the old school, why can't I shift CSNY from my head? Particularly on its instrumental breaks. This is a sweet trip down the meandering rock stream.
10) 1000 Beasts - 'Want'
Producer Cian Sweeney serves up his latest pop-laden sliver of music as 1,000 Beasts in single 'Want', co-written with Ryan O'Shaughnessy and LAOISE. Featuring vocals from Waterford native Carrie, Sweeney lets loose and empties his bag of tricks unceremoniously onto the floor across a dizzying yet uncontrollably playful 3-plus minutes of jerking stop-start beats and sharp clicks.
Photo: Dara Munnis
To listen to our last Irish independent playlist, go here! https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/03/irish-playlist-participant-ae-mak-jackie-beverly-arvo-party-larks-fox-jaw.html
