Indie, indie rock, New Music

Inhaler ‘These Are The Days’

Photo Credit : Lewis Evans

Inhaler have released their new single, ‘These Are The Days’.The song is the quartet’s first new music since the release of their debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This in July 2021, a record that went to the top of the charts in both the UK and Ireland. The group have a huge summer of festival dates lined up, including their first Glastonbury performance on the John Peel stage during Friday’s line-up plus appearances at Pinkpop, Nos Alive, BBK Live, Truck, Tramlines, Lollapalooza Chicago, Summer Sonic and a 5000 capacity headline show in Dublin. During the tour to support It Won’t Always Be Like This, Inhaler played to over 40,000 fans during US and European tours. The band will also support Arctic Monkeys across mainland Europe on the Sheffield group’s first live shows in three years. Inhaler have now racked up over 140 million combined streams globally and their debut was a certified Brit Breakthrough that sold over 120,000 across the world. These Are The Days is the first track to emerge from sessions for Inhaler’s forthcoming second album.

‘These Are The Days’ is an invigorating rush of adrenaline as Inhaler travel full steam ahead with their airtight indie rock. With a whirlwind of scorching instrumentation and infectious hooks at the helm, ‘These Are The Days’ is quite the irresistible ditty. In true Inhaler manner, the song is backed by a buoyant drum foundation and lathered in sleek guitar moments from delicate strums to thrashing riffs. Though the backdrop surges with dynamic instrumentation, the band manage to maintain a laid-back tone throughout that is enhanced by a smooth vocal delivery. The track is a joy to listen to and wonderfully captures a sense of youthful fun and vigour through swagger-filled bass and synths. ‘These Are The Days’ is a fun, magnetic new tune from Inhaler. 

Stream ‘These Are The Days’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Afterbliss ‘Shout It Out’

Indie Rock band Afterbliss have released their new single, ‘Shout It Out’.The indie rock band formed in June 2019. The group is made up of Evan Cassidy on lead vocals, Alex Burcea on lead guitar, synths and backing vocals, Ally Pender on drums, James O’Gorman on rhythm guitar, and Shane Waldron on bass. After 18 months of writing songs, November 2020 saw them release their debut single, “Until Sunrise”, which received acclaim on local and national Irish radio play. ‘Shout It Out’ will be supported by a headline show in The Sound House Dublin on Saturday 11th June. 

‘Shout It Out’ is a thrilling new single that provides a glimpse into a darker facet to Afterbliss’ sound. The band create an intense atmosphere throughout the verses as the synths brood beneath rasped vocals before the song erupts for the anthemic chorus. Shrouded in 80’s-esque soundscapes ‘Shout It Out’ boasts a massive sonic soundscape filled with intricate melodies and soaring/sinister guitar moments to create a suspenseful listening experience that beckons repeat plays.

Stream ‘Shout It Out’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Electronic, Indie, New Music

RIA RUA ‘Breathe’

RIA RUA has released her new single ‘Breathe’. RIA RUA is a modern Irish female hyperpop singer, songwriter and producer. RIA writes about power, love, obsession and control and she will be playing gigs in Ireland, Germany and Switzerland in 2022-23.

‘Breathe’ is a dark electronic powerhouse that rushes with the irresistible and wholly immersive sound of RIA RUA. Filled with swagger and attitude the track’s pounding beats pulse through thick asphyxiating soundscapes to create a luring and bewitching listening experience. The chorus exudes anthemic power enhanced by a catchy melody and EDM embellishments while the verses maintain a haunting and eerie quality.  ‘Breathe’ delves deep into RIA’s production wizardry – the result is a sonically rich and intriguing tune ready to enthral the listener.

Stream ‘Breathe’ below 


Author:Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Tracy Gallagher ‘Caves’

Mayo born singer-songwriter Tracy Gallagher has released her new single and video ‘Caves’. The song is a collaboration with Belfast based producer Michael Mormecha. Having tried her hand over the years at a number of various careers from teaching French to hypnotherapy, Tracy decided it was finally time to commit fully to music and produce her first studio-recorded work. This ultimately led to converting an old work van into a rustic home on wheels and hitting the road to write and live out her dreams as a wayfaring musician.

‘Caves’ is a wonderful display of musicianship from Tracy Gallagher. Within the track are elements of vulnerability and innocence aptly portrayed by Gallagher’s expressive vocal delivery and enhanced by the raw untamed moments of indie rock in the song’s dynamic soundscapes. The song is well crafted and layered to create a dizzying almost psychedelic effect at times with just Gallaghers soft vocals acting as the listener’s anchor between the constant ebb and flow of instrumentation. Eloquent lyrics depict themes of love, loss and hope while icy keys create an eerie sense of whimsy throughout – Gallagher combines all these aspects to create a compelling listening experience for listeners to enjoy again and again.

About the song Gallagher says “Caves is inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell, American professor of Literature and well known mythologist, credited by George Lucas as having inspired Star Wars. While reading his book ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces’, I became enamoured with the idea of each individual being the hero in their own story and the trials and tribulations each of us have to face and overcome throughout our human experience in order to grow and develop as human beings. Caves explores the relationship we have to the natural world and simultaneously to the inner self, it is a look at the wild, powerful and sometimes frightening aspects of nature that can act as a metaphor for the unexplored parts of our inner worlds. The wildness of the ‘seven seas’ and the dark unknown of the ‘cave’ represent our innermost fears, that which we try to keep hidden from ourselves and the world at large but this is also the place where the deepest treasures and revelations lie, where personal growth and development happens.” 

Watch the video for ‘Caves’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Electronic, New Music

Daithí ‘Sunset’ Featuring Ailbhe Reddy

Daithí has recently released the video for his new single ‘Sunset’, featuring long-time collaborator Ailbhe Reddy. The single is already receiving widespread radio play across Ireland, having been added to the RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends list and airplay across 2fm, Today FM and more. The video for ‘Sunset’, directed by Michael-David McKernan features the American actress Annie Ryan (who was in seminal 80s film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).

‘Sunset’ is a bittersweet anthem filled with mesmerising musicianship. The track pivots around a hypnotic beat while hazy synths build and intensify throughout. Daithí meticulously layers the soundscape to create pockets of soft tropical beats and sunkissed tones that delicately enhance the sweet vocals of Ailbhe Reddy. Reddy’s vocals are almost nonchalant at times as she pierces the song’s sonic textures with a warmth that is both heartbreaking and soothing all at once. Her vocals effortlessly convey emotion while the dreamy melody and dance-infused backdrop create a weary atmosphere before the bubbly chorus kicks in. Exuding soft, refined production ‘Sunset’ is a laid back irresistible tune that boasts the exquisite talent of Daithí and Ailbhe Reddy.

The video for the song is a beautiful, touching film that follows a woman in middle age coping with loss and grief in the most hopeful way, taking full advantage of the Irish landscape to tell the story visually. The video was shot on film at The Beekeepers artist retreat in Daithí’s native Co. Clare. Daithí owns The Beekeepers and runs it with his partner, the filmmaker Norma Howard, who is the producer of this video. 

Director Michael-David McKernan says: “For Sunset I wanted to offer a different perspective on the end of a relationship; to showcase the solace that can be found in solitude and the healing power of nature.The song feels both intimate and epic so it was a terrific challenge to get to create an accompanying film. From the beginning, we wanted to create a visual poem and impressionist piece, rather than following a linear narrative. We’re totally focussed on the character’s inner psychology throughout, but the opening ‘ring scene’ helps to anchor the piece. All of the detail shots then paint an emotional landscape and remind us of growth. The ocean scene was definitely a technical challenge given we were shooting on 16mm film. But Director of Photography, JP Quill, built a custom underwater housing for the shoot and we [are] really proud of the results. I think you really feel like you’re in the water with the character (but hopefully not to the point of sea sickness). The film is about hope, surrendering to nature, and cleansing oneself of the past.”

Daithí says: “‘Sunset’ was written during a writer’s weekend at the Beekeepers Artist House in Co. Clare. Ailbhe, Sinead White and I had a beautiful weekend, back working together after a few years of being apart. The natural energy from that really shaped the song: The synths build into this euphoric moment of celebration, which is countered with Ailbhe’s bittersweet lyrics. When she started singing ‘These things are never easy’, it just broke my heart. The song really became about everything we’d missed, and how happy we were to be able to do it again. It’s the opening of my new album, which is all about your place in time, and what makes you who you are.”

Daithí is set to play a number of festivals this summer: Vestrock (The Netherlands), Sea Sessions and Body & Soul, to name a few. He is also touring Ireland as one half of HousePlants, his project with Bell X1’s Paul Noonan, throughout May and June. 

Watch the video for ‘Sunset’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Pale Waves ‘Reasons To Live’

Photo Credit: Pip

Pale Waves have released their new single ‘Reasons To Live’. Pale Waves have made a name for themselves by inspiring inclusivity and self-discovery and creating an accepting place for their passionate fans looking to find a community. Their new music is tapping into a fresh tone of defiance. The band’s new album ‘Unwanted’ will be out August 12 on Dirty Hit (home to The 1975, beabadoobee, etc.) and features lead single ‘Lies’ which premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Hottest Record In The World. Their 2021 album Who Am I? hit #3 on the UK album charts and received critical acclaim from Pitchfork, Vanity Fair, Billboard, NPR, Wall Street Journal, MTV, Buzzfeed, The FADER, AV Club, Vulture, Consequence, Stereogum, Alternative Press, NYLON, and many more.

‘Reasons To Live’ is a catchy indie-rock anthem that boasts Pale Waves’ tight and exhilarating sound. Atop a sugary pop melody, the band blend kinetic guitars with a pounding drum and bass foundation to create a dynamic wall of sound that leaves listeners craving to hear more. Pale Waves capture a sense of youthful adrenaline within their music and ‘Reasons To Live’ is a euphoric example of this. The track is a fine display of vigorous indie-rock and the band’s refined musicianship. With gritty guitars chugging throughout ( adding an edge to the vibrant wall of sound), ‘Reasons To Live’ is a delight to the ears. 

Stream ‘Reasons To Live’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Crosslight ‘Influenzers’

Crosslight have released their new single ‘Influenzers’. Dropping a new EP and coming off a UK tour, Crosslight will be lighting up multiple festivals this summer such as the Mangata Festival. After releasing their debut album, EP and supporting bands such as Scarlett Riot and The City Is Ours, Crosslight have prepared to take 2022 by storm with multiple releases ready to go.

‘Influenzers’ is a mighty alternative rock banger from Crosslight. The band create a catchy fierce tune that boasts gritty riffs, pounding drums and dark soundscapes. Heavy alternative rock elements blend with metal moments and electronic embellishments as the band create a thrilling wall of sound filled with angst. Crosslight display their refined and expressive musicianship throughout as mammoth outbursts and growl-filled screamer vocals inject ferocity between the smoother vocal elements and pop flirtations on melody. ‘Influenzers’ is an invigoration listening experience.

Stream ‘Influenzers’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Ste Kelly ‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’

Ste Kelly has released his new single ‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’, featuring Sean OB. Ste Kelly and Sean OB, former bandmates in RAGLANS reunite for the first time since collaborating on the hugely successful album ‘RAGLANS’ released in 2014 which charted at no.5 in Irish album charts as well as cracking the top 100 album chart in Germany. This debut album saw the two songwriters and performers travel the entire world performing at the most prominent arenas and festivals while amassing a legion of dedicated followers. Now embarking on separate solo careers, the two songwriting juggernauts have realigned for their new single ‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’ released via Maybe Vagrant Records.Recorded and produced by Ste and Sean in their respective home studios. The track will be part of Ste Kellys forthcoming second studio album ‘Nostalgia Almanac’ which will be made up of collaborations with artists Ste has connected with in his storied journey in the music world and is expected later in 2022.

‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’ is an absolutely glorious tune. This catchy ditty is laced in infectious melodies, and vibrant instrumentation as Ste Kelly and Sean OB create a pop speckled indie banger sure to charm its way on repeat.

The track is fast-paced ( enhanced by a pounding foot-tapping beat ) and oozes a fun atmosphere filled with ebullient indie-rock soundscapes and witty lyrics that reference Shakespeare and W.B Yeats, “Idealist Romeo. Spendthrift Bassanio. Juliets and Portias out of reach. Find comic relief yeah on the edge of your seat. Crying as you laugh through gritted teeth”.

‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’ is a light-hearted song that boasts the clever songwriting and magnetic sound of Ste Kelly and Sean OB. 

Stream ‘(Oh To Be A) Butterfly’ Here https://maybevagrant.bandcamp.com/track/oh-to-be-a-butterfly


Author: Danu

Folk, Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Brian Corbett ‘Wonder’

Emerging from the west of Ireland, Brian Corbett has released his new single ‘Wonder’. After moving across the Atlantic five years ago to live in Toronto, Brian Corbett found himself in a music scene he had never experienced before. He rubbed shoulders with a variety of artists and writers who instantly broadened his music and writing palette. After five years away from home he grew tired of city life and moved home to the deep wilderness of Connemara. Having left as a wishful teenager he returned as a focused musician with a voice that can be delicate when necessary but can roar a chorus as good as any vocalist on the island. Since returning, the Galway artist has found his stride in writing and recording new songs that are now ready for the world to hear.

Within ‘Wonder’ Corbett blends warm folk tones and cinematic tendencies with earnest lyrics to create a compelling new tune. The song travels on twinkling guitar and a pulsing beat exuding suspense throughout while Corbett’s warm vocals and lush harmonies croon the gripping lyrics, “hope you spin my head around. Round and round until it falls. Pick it up and it’s all yours“. The track is a joy to listen to as the artist eloquently captures a sense of longing through ethereal soundscapes while the folk foot-tapping rhythm grounds the track. Laced in catchy melodies wholesome musicianship and heartfelt lyrics ‘Wonder’ is a stunning new single from Brian Corbett.

Speaking of the single Brian Corbett said: “My new song feels like the perfect way to kick start something I’ve been working on for the last few years. The track touches on my teenage years and lacking the bravery to tell a close friend that I wanted to be more. I look back at that situation with huge regret and often wonder what would have happened had I just let a few words fall from my mouth.”

Stream ‘Wonder’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Eyes of Caelum ‘Laced in Gold’ EP

Eyes of Caelum have released their debut 6 track EP, ‘Laced in Gold’. Eyes of Caelum are a five-piece Indie Rock band from the UK, and winners of ‘Upload of the Week’ for BBC Introducing South West with their single release, ‘Human Touch’, also available on their new EP. Hailing from the South West, the band started writing during the long UK lockdown, and have since recorded with some of the best producers in the UK, to establish their sound.

‘Laced in Gold’ is an impressive indie-rock EP that showcases the catchy, passionate tunes of Eyes of Caelum. The band blend heartfelt melodies with shredding guitar riffs, soaring melodies and pummeling rhythms to create a stadium-ready wall of sound that is a joy to listen to. ‘Human Touch’, ‘Winter Sun’ and the swaggered blues dipped ‘Red Band Cigarettes’ all pound through the ears at a relentless pace evoking images of crowds at gigs bellowing back the lyrics. The band capture a sense of freedom and adrenaline within these tracks through ethereal guitar pines and well-placed bass grooves that are a goosebump-inducing delight.

The brisk pace of the EP makes for an invigorating listening experience and there are many memorable moments throughout. A fine example of such memorable moments is the beautifully expressive bittersweet guitar melodies. Whether it’s a majestic, desert- esque guitar display in ‘Laced In Gold’ or a cinematic embellishment in the brooding ‘This Town’, the guitar gives a euphoric irresistible quality to the songs.

‘Laced in Gold’ is a satisfying and cohesive body of work from Eyes of Caelum. The energy, passion and vigour bursting from this EP is admirable. Each track is ecstasy to the ears and equally spectacular with each subsequent listen.

Stream ‘Laced in Gold’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.

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