Category Archives: Seasonal Music

Indie, New Music, Seasonal Music

Four in the Morning ‘Quiet Over Here’

Four in the Morning have released a Christmas single ‘Quiet Over Here’. Led by Irish singer-songwriter Kevin Dolan and surrounded by an eclectic group of genre-defying musicians – Kiran Srinivasan, Dan Walwyn and Alex Lees – Four in the Morning write sad songs for insomniacs.‘Quiet Over Here’ is “about being stuck abroad over Christmas, something we’re unfortunately still all too familiar with. Could be a song your readers will be able to relate to.”

 ‘Quiet Over Here’ is a moving tune that walks a fine line between soothing and sombre, leaving you wallowing in a state of melancholy. The band wrote this song for their friends and family last year as they couldn’t return home for Christmas, and that longing, lonely feeling is perfectly highlighted throughout the song. Dolan’s emotive vocals express disappointment as he sings the most heartbreaking opening line over a soft guitar strum “ hey mam, I hope you’re doing well, I got a little bit of bad news, I don’t think I’ll make it home this year”. With delicate piano and steady beat, the song has a supple bounce that distracts from the sad tone as Dolan reflects and reminisces on what he is missing out on while string elements add a warm glow to the indie-folk soundscape. Four in the Morning are a talented bunch. Their music and poetic lyrics are powerfully emotive and ‘Quiet Over Here’ is a fine example of this. Press play, enjoy and prepare to wipe a few tears from your eye.

Stream ‘‘Quiet Over Here’ below


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music, Seasonal Music

PARKFORD ‘I’m The Worst’

Photo Credit: PARKFORD

One-third of Mini Mansions, one half of Mister Goodnite; singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Parkford has released his debut solo single ‘I’m The Worst’ under the moniker PARKFORD. The track was mixed and co-produced by Cian Riordan.

Within ‘I’m The Worst’ the melody wizard creates a lush retro tune that oozes class, interweaved grooves and irresistible melodies. Known for his eloquent lyrics, skilful turn of phrase, and intricate musical arrangements, Parkford presents a wonderfully refined listening experience to indulge in. Swaggering guitars sashay through retro keys and punchy rhythms while Parkford’s smooth vocals croon atop a dreamy pacifying melody that gently slips into a sweet falsetto as the track meanders between a laid-back lounge bar ditty and indie rock-slapped number. Parkford’s compositions always ebb and flow with effortless charm. ‘I’m The Worst’ is a perfect display of this. The artist’s musical prowess and expressive musicianship leaves much to be admired.

Stream ‘I’m The Worst’ below 


Author:Danu

electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Seasonal Music

Mustafa Sal ‘Wait For You’

Indie pop artist Mustafa Sal has released his debut single ‘Wait For You.’ Mustafa flew to Ireland in 2018 and spent the early part of 2019 writing music and finding his sound. Under his old pseudonym, Sal the Musician, Mustafa released four singles in 2019/20 to great avail, with the tracks getting plenty of radio play and press buzz. Mustafa also spent the latter half of 2019 playing a number of support shows for touring artists, including Australian alt-rock legends “You Am I.’ 

‘Wait For You’ boasts the bright electro-pop and emotive songwriting we have come to love from Mustafa Sal. The song has a soothing and romantic tone enhanced by bubbling beats that cushion the sunkissed synths over a dreamy smooth melody. Within the melody, intricate layers of electronics provide a rich and engaging sound for the listener to indulge in. The song ripples and pulses through the verses with a wistful tone as Mustafa Sal coos, “Though we’re far away And I am here to stay, Love me for forever, Love me for today.” The lyrics of longing contrast the upbeat and catchy chorus and make for a satisfying listening experience. Rich in texture and tone, ‘Wait For You’ is a beautiful and charming new single from Mustafa Sal. 

Stream ‘Wait For You’ below.


Author : Danu

New Music, Seasonal Music, Singer/Songwriter

Ross Breen ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’

Ross Breen follows October’s acclaimed release of ‘Some Other Time, Maybe’  (RTÉ Radio Recommended list,) with his new single ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’. Previous singles released include  Heather in December  (Dec. 2019 – supported by  RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Nova, RTÉ 2FM ) and  Idyllic Valley  (performed on RTÉ television’s  The Saturday Night Show, top 30 chart placement, no.1 iTunes Rock chart ).  Ross was awarded the title of Ireland’s Best Unsigned Singer-Songwriter  by Newstalk’s The Tom Dunne Show, with his song Monet  singled out for extensive airplay from over a thousand submissions. He has also consistently impressed on the live stage, earning special guest invitations with acts like Midlake, Bell X1, Damien Dempsey, Sinéad O’ Connor  and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard  while building a following with his band at a number of Ireland’s premier festivals, including Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, Vantastival  and Knockanstockan .

‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’ is a glistening Christmas track with an indie edge. This triumphant track has darker fuzzed guitar lines contrasting the bright church bells and shimmering synths as Breen spreads melodious hooks over a tight and richly textured backdrop to create a lush, well crafted new single.With an air of nostalgia, sprinkles of joy and Christmas cheer mixed with darker undertones the track takes us on a musical journey of past Christmases and experience them through a new lens as Breen’s warm vocals drift over the sweet melody. Exuding deft songwriting and a rich vibrant wall of sound ‘Mrry Xmas @ 1st Lght’ is a refreshing and dynamic addition to Breen’s emotive musical collection.

Ross offers an insight into his latest song:   “I come from a background of family and social life where gatherings with music are intrinsic to the enjoyment of Christmas. For many, music is a tie binding us together during this period. Art can unify when restrictions keep us apart.  Mrry  Xmas @ 1st  Lght  envisages the close of 2020, how we will be engaging with our families, friends and partners during this time, and how it will be different to what we’ve known before. These lyrics are threaded with references to songs and instrumentals I’ve loved at sessions throughout the years, including obligatory party pieces from my grandparents, parents, sisters, close friends and extended family. I see it as a painting of Christmases gone by, rendering memories through verse and hoping we can all reach a point in the near future where we can once again feel free to experience that sense of warmth, openness and release.”

Stream ‘Mrry  Xmas @ 1st  Lght’ below


Author : Danu

New Music, Seasonal Music

Dan Donovan ‘Recover’

Dan Donovan has released the first track, ‘Recover’ off his debut EP ‘Light and Dark’. Written about a woman who inspired Dan with her strength and character and the good that she does, ‘Recover’ was recorded in his studio with Dan playing all of the instruments himself. Dan’s first release was a compilation album of artists recording at the studio called ‘State Of Mind, Expose the Hide-Out’ and was released on the Bristol Trip Hop label Cup Of Tea Records. Two of the tracks from the album were licensed to 6 various artist dance albums, including ‘Secret Affair’ and ‘Moments of pleasure’.

‘Recover’ is a bluesy hued track that glides effortlessly on bright guitar, swirling elements on electronics and intricately played percussion. Donovan’s warm vocals drift over the smooth melody while jaunty guitar lines sprinkle a dash of warmth into the track. The steady beat and subtle electronic bursts create a vibrant atmosphere as the track ventures into a mellowed easy listening soundscape. ‘Recover’ is a refreshing and laid back new single from Dan Donovan.


Author ; Danu

Indie, Indie Folk, New Music, Seasonal Music

Eoin Glackin ‘El Dorado’

Dublin born singer-songwriter Eoin Glackin returns with his new single ‘El Dorado’.The new single builds on the momentum of ‘Before the Rain’, which garnered major radio support across Ireland and the UK from the like of Today FM, Spin 103.8, 98FM as well as TalkRadio and BBC. A relentless tourer with three acclaimed albums under his belt, he has shared the road with legendary acts such as The Darkness, Joan Armatrading and most recently, Irish icons, Aslan.

‘El Dorado’ radiates cosy vibes, warm guitar and a steady beat as Glackin blends rich elements of folk, country and indie to create a heartwarming tune saturated in nostalgia and wholesome songwriting. Soft keys twinkle between the foot tapping beat, lush backing vocals and sweet melodies while Glackin’s soothing vocals coo the dreamy melody. The song is a story of friendship in the face of the greatest adversity and Glackin builds the uplifting and hopeful tones superbly. ‘El Dorado’ is an emotive and beautiful new single from Eoin Glackin.

The genesis for El Dorado, a story of unbreakable friendship, is best explained by the writer himself: “I was hanging out with a friend the evening after I wrote it. We were passing a guitar back and forth, so I played it for him. He looked at me when I was finished and asked, ‘Is that about me?’ I just replied, ‘Now you mention it, I think it is!’ When we were about 10, he became very sick. He had a rough time but thankfully came out on the other end. I wasn’t sure where this story came from in my head, but now I do. This story of unbreakable friendship is for him.” 

Stream ‘El Dorado’ below


Author : Danu

New Music, Seasonal Music

Rob Nar ‘One From a Distance’

Written and produced during lockdown, Spanish artist Rob Nar has released an acoustic version of his 2020 single ‘One From a Distance’. Having a strong influence from British culture and music from his time in the UK, Rob Nar’s music shows personal approaches to blending acoustic and electronic instruments. Now living back in Seville, he released his debut solo single which has been featured on several Spotify playlists, reaching 3K monthly listeners and a total of 15K streams since its release earlier this year. 

Rob Nar presents a warm and heartfelt version of ‘One From a Distance’. The song is easy on the ears as emotive, comforting songwriting and an irresistible melody coat the track in bright, mellow tones. It’s an intimate tune with twinkling acoustic guitar, lush harmonies and a rhythmic pulse. Nar has created a well crafted wholesome track brimming with stripped back instrumentation to maximise the songs positive tone. 

Rob recorded both versions of the track at his home studio in Seville. He explains:“The song shows a feeling about how we all are one, regardless of the physical place where we are, with the positive mood and the hope that we all can beat this and any future issues together.”

Stream ‘One From a Distance’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music, Seasonal Music

Rory & The Island ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’

Irish singer-songwriter Rory & The Island has released his brand new single ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’. Rory’s journey began as lead singer of indie-rock band The Revs, who found themselves topping the Irish charts with two top 5 albums and a string of successful tours making waves throughout Ireland, Europe and even reaching Australia with a top 30 single. After the bands split in 2007, Rory moved to a remote island in the Canaries where he opened a live music venue ‘The Island Bar’. It was here the Donegal songwriter performed weekly residency shows building up a cult following of people from all over the world that would travel to the island to come and see him perform. It was also here that Rory & The Island was born and he began his solo project. Two albums later, Rory independently earned himself 8 top 30s, 2 top 10s and a number 1 single in the Irish charts. As well as performing all over the UK and Ireland supporting the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Feeder and Alabama 3. 2019 saw Rory leave the island, return back to Ireland and extensively tour, filling out rooms around the UK and Ireland with his London show at The Dublin Castle selling out within 48 hours of going on sale. 

 ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ is a warm, catchy track saturated in the melodious songwriting of Rory & The Island. With a steady beat and buoyant acoustic guitar strum the track has an instant foot tapping charm. Rory’s velvety tone and subtle rasp caresses the infectious melody with a laid back tone while the sparse guitar strides add a dash of edge and indie rock to the song. It’s a passionate track which talks about the battle of keeping a sustainable career as an artist in a difficult industry through wonderfully rich and warm musicianship. 

Stream ‘When The Lights Go Down (Valhalla)’ below


Author : Danu

Indie, Seasonal Music

The Crookes ‘You Bring The Snow’

Ahead of a special seasonal tour, Sheffield’s The Crookes have released a new single ‘You Bring The Snow’, Lyrically the track longs for the magic and excitement that filled the Christmas season when you were young. The Crookes aim to recreate that childlike sense of wonder with fond nostalgia that warms the heart. With a sweet candy-coated infectious melody drenched in nostalgic sentimental tones the track succeeds in pulling on your heart strings and filling you with its touching dewy-eyed syrupy festive heart-felt cheer. Glittering riffs sparkle and twinkle with warm mulled wine mellow tones on guitar that sprinkles contagious merriment all around. The punchy rhythm bounces along frolicking in the joyful antics while Waite’s velvety smooth vocals lament with wistful longing. Its the perfect Christmas song with jolly jingles, warm tones and sombre sentimental themes.
The Crookes tour the UK this month performing a special festive set to celebrate the season you can catch them at:
12 – Nottingham, Bodega
13 – Bristol, Louisiana
14 – London, Camden Assembly
15 – Newcastle, Think Tank
16 – Leeds, Brudenell Games Room
17 – Sheffield, Queens Social Club
Watch the video for ‘You Bring The Snow’ below