Fya Fox – Need It
“Your voice, I don’t wanna hear it.
Your touch, I don’t wanna feel it.”
It’s all over now, baby blue.
Irish alt.pop star Fya Fox (top) finds liberation at the end of a toxic relationship. This is mature songwriting with a slick groove. And an ace video to boot.
Nick says: The end of the road.
David Donohue & Floriane Blancke – Fragile Heart
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs. And what’s wrong with that?
Erstwhile singer with The Floors, David Donohue shows us how it’s done on the second single from his forthcoming debut solo album All My Lonely Friends.
A tender ballad, the duet features acclaimed harpist, composer and actress Floriane Blancke (top) singing in her native French, giving the collaboration a certain je ne sais quoi.
Guest musicians include Luka Bloom on guitar and Jon O’Connell on double bass.
The video was filmed and edited by Seanchas Productions.
Nick says: Amour please!
Kestine – U.N.I.T.Y
“Another black man they wan hang then crucify.”
Rapper Kestine doesn’t mince his words on his hard-hitting new single which sees him exploring the racial politics of being a black man in a white man’s world.
The video is produced and directed by Brian McDonnell and also stars actors Gabriel Adewusi and Keith Gallagher.
Nick says: Kestine spirit.
Afterbliss – Empty Spaces
Anthemic synth-rock, anyone?
Then check out Dublin newcomers Afterbliss whose debut EP Unknown Machines has just dropped.
The band comprise Evan Cassidy (vocals); James O’Gorman (guitar); Shane Waldron (bass); and co-founders Alex Burcea (guitar/synth) and Ally Pender (drums).
Nick says: Original synth.
The Next New Low – Hydra’s Teeth
“And it’s a beast that follows me around.”
The 10th entry in Brian Mooney‘s 12 for 21 project – which sees him release a new song every month for a year – is an introspective country song with a twist.
The former Idiots singer is joined by Dan Smith (drums and keys); James Smith (bass and keys); Aoife Kelly (fiddle); and Sean Coleman (guitars and production).
Nick says: The life of Brian.
Brigid Mae Power – Mother In The Sky
Hope springs maternal.
Another beautiful, elegant piece from Galway-based Brigid Mae Power following on from her recent covers EP Burning The Light on Fire Records.
The video animation complements the song perfectly too.
Nick says: Mae the force be with you.
Cat Dowling – Animals
Zoo do you think you are?
Kilkenny-born, Dublin-based songsmith Cat Dowling (top) hits the jackpot with a spectacular animated-storybook video for the title track of her new album Animals, released by Forever In Financial Arrears (FIFA) on November 12.
And you can see her discuss the artistic process behind the collaboration with animator Marc Corrigan here.
Cat writes:
“Animals was written when everyone was sleeping. It started with the driving repetitive rhythm which had to be restrained so as not to wake a soul. It thus became hypnotic. It starts as minor and ends up major. It’s about the major and minor of life and of love and the constant pull in everything between major and minor and the light and the dark. It’s a song ultimately of passion, wildness, sensuality and love.”
Nick says: Animal magic.
The Ballyboyz – Balloween
And now for something completely brilliant.
Take it away, lads:
“The Ballyboyz stay nostalgic yet cold this Winter with their new track BALLOWEEN. The tune showcases the two brothers swapping verses over a Thriller beat that just sticks. BALLOWEEN music video creates an eerie suspense throughout the watch.
“The BallyBoyz bawl out in true hip-hop fashion paying tribute to the movie culture and its association with rap music throughout the ages. Happy Balloween!!”
The film was directed by Dee The Antisocial and the music was written and performed by Spaceman Steve and Dee.
Beat by DJ Green.
Nick says: Ballyboyz in the hood.
Somefinn – Contact
Falling for a dancer.
Alt.rock hopefuls Somefinn team up with choreographer Arlene Caffrey for this panoramic video directed by Darren Finn to accompany their third single.
Singer Paul Finn (ex-The Flaws) says:
“Contact is about seeking connection with someone. With another person. It came from an old song idea, which has been through many iterations – the one thing that was consistent, no matter how many times the song was rewritten, was this cry: ‘CONTACT’. That was the thing, then, to build the song around.”
Nick says: Somefinn in the way she moves.
Paul Callan – Another Night
Sparklehorse of a different colour.
Fans of ’90s Lo-fi indie will rejoice at the new single from County Louth’s Paul Callan, who continues his project to release a song a month.
Paul writes:
“Heavy on the riff but not heavy on the distorted guitars, Another Night is about procrastination. The joy of the long finger! Yes, there is lots to attend to and the world is falling apart but… let’s leave it for another night!”
Nick says: Dial M for Mellotron.
