A Band Called Paul – Freefall
The eyes have it.
Dublin-based musician Paul McDonnell has fun reconfiguring his eyeballs in this left-of-centre video for his new single.
The former orchestral percussionist released his eclectic debut album Primero in February.
Nick says: Eyes on the prize.
James Shannon – Last Bus
A new voice in the next generation of Irish hip-hop, Dubliner James delivers a scathing verdict on the decline of the capital’s night life and social scene in our soulless neo-liberal era.
The video by Dara Mac follows the rapper as he skulks around a nocturnal Dublin shorn of ceol agus craic.
Bord Failte will be livid.
Nick says: The beats will continue until morale improves.
Deadly Buzz Aldrin – Bad Move Space Cadet
Sitting in a tin can far above the world…
Tonight Anseo on Dublin’s Camden Street hosts the launch of the first EP on the new Soft Landing label from experimental electronica geezer Deadly Buzz Aldrin aka Colm O’Riordan.
Colm also DJs at Anseo on Sundays spinning mellow sounds as well as hosting a monthly show on Dublin Digital Radio.
The EP is available on vinyl and digitally on Bandcamp and other platforms.
Nick says: A giant step for Irish electro chill.
Screaming Orphans – Shine
The four Diver sisters from Donegal are back with an upbeat blast of sibling revelry.
Joan, Grainne, Angela and Marie Therese harmonise to great effect on this single from their 14th album Life In A Carnival.
Vasco Mendes directs the cinematic promo featuring Svenja Tiger and her magic hula hoop.
Sounds like a summer hit.
Nick says: Be-bop-a-hula.
Sun Mahshene – This Girl I Know
“There’s this girl I know and she’s always blue/
The sadness in her eyes is enough for two.”
So begins the powerful new single by these Dublin shoegazing acolytes. Over waves of reverberating guitars, singer Nathan Henderson ( top second left) tackles themes of mental illness, depression and homelessness.
The video by Ismael Diarra perfectly complements the song’s message and features a tremendous performance by Kendal Kennedy as she forlornly wanders the cold streets of Dublin.
The song can be found on their new album Contradictions And Tales of Fiction.
Nick says: Solar powered.
Sia Babez – Hit My Line
Sia Babez is the nom de plume of Dublin-born Irish/Zimbabwean teenager Seorsia Jack (top) who could well be our next urban r’n’b star.
A social media sensation already, Sia is sure to add to her 14,000 followers on Instagram with the slick dance moves and state-of-the-art production in her new video.
Her debut EP Inception is imminent.
Nick says: Jumpin’ Jack flash!
Wild Youth – Long Time No See
Your ex marks the spot…
Fresh from supporting Westlife at Croke Park and headlining the second stage at Longitude, the Irish pop/rock quartet led by Dave Whelan have already sold out their December headlining show in the Olympia.
ULTRAVIOLET’s stunning video for their new single is a perfectly shot tale of a dude bumping into his ex-girlfriend and remembering the one that got away.
It features great performances by actors Clara Harte and Michael-David McKernan.
Nick says: Put your faith in Youth.
Dubh Lee – Virtue
The debut single from the Dublin-based, Tullamore, County Offaly native is a smart fusion of folk and pop packed with words of wisdom.
The video by Declan Dooley is also a work of art, and follows Dubh Lee as she goes on an Offaly fraught adventure in the Slieve Bloom mountains with her mannequin paramour… but there’s a twist in the tale.
Dubh Lee writes:
‘The song details the mental battle between love for another person and one’s self-respect.’
Nick says: Never trust a mannequin.
The New Ravis – Baby It’s On You
Out of the west comes this pop/rock duo of Eoghan and Diarmuid who have penned a Spotify-friendly song about alienation and social isolation.
The Galway-based band have struck gold with the video thanks to director Shane Serrano of Crude Media and an incredibly empathetic performance by actress Emily Lohan.
A fine song with an important message and a crack video to boot? Sweet.
Nick says: The West’s awake.
David Hopkins – C’est La
Here’s one to be filed under ‘overlooked’.
The former Lir keyboardist last year released a solo album called ‘Overlook’ which flew under the radar round these parts.But it deserves wider recognition as it shows an artist who’s fully engaged with his muse.
C’est La is sung in French with a propulsive rhythm section, strings and synths.
The video by Yoshi Sodeoka is a psychedelic trip for the senses.
Nick says: Douze points from the Dublin jury.
