Tag Archives: New Music

Electronic, Indie, New Music

Columbia Mills ‘Nevada’

Following the release of their title track ‘Heart Of A Nation’ and ‘Addiction’, Columbia Mills return with their new single ‘Nevada’. On the band’s previous tracks ‘Heart Of A Nation’ and ‘Addiction’ they have garnered huge support from the UK and Irish radio such as BBC Radio 6, Radio X, Amazing Radio, Radio Nova, 8 Radio, Indie Rocks, RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and RTÉ 2XM. Columbia Mills are regulars at festivals such as Indiependence, Longitude, and Electric Picnic and have supported world-class acts like Ride, Public Service Broadcasting, and Palace. On top of this, they have also toured Ireland & the UK with a string of headline shows at venues such as Whelans, King Tuts, and Sebright Arms.

‘Nevada’ is a masterful display of musicianship from Columbia Mills. The song packs one heck of a punch both thematically and sonically; a shimmering synth-speckled soundscape exudes dark undertones and melancholy while chiming guitars and rich rhythms dance atop hypnotic bass grooves and sincere, hard-hitting lyrics “staring at the sea with your life packed into a bag….. you try to find a friend but there’s nobody left”. Columbia Mills are a musical marvel. Their skillfully created soundscapes are a joy to listen to and capture the listener’s imagination in such a way that each subsequent listen feels like a fresh and new experience. With each release, Columbia Mills tantalize listener’s ears with lush sonic embellishments, dark textures and expressive instrumentation and ‘Nevada’ is a mesmerising example of this. I’m looking forward to what their future releases have in store.

Speaking about the track, ‘Nevada’, Fiachra Treacy said: “While I was in Guadalajara in Mexico I met a man who was traveling on his own from Guatemala.  He was traveling on the top of a massive train across the country and had to deal with unthinkable danger.  He had left his wife and son behind in order to build a better life for them, not knowing if or when he would see them again. He was trying to get to Nevada where he had a cousin who could help him get work.  The song is about him and the countless people making that journey every day.”

Stream ‘Nevada’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Moncrieff ‘Ruin’

Photo Credit: Luca Rapisarda

Moncrieff has released his new single ‘Ruin’ via energie. The song comes hot on the heels of his smash single ‘Warm’ which went to the top 10 in Irish Radio and saw the up-and-coming musician perform live on Germany’s ARD Network (“Frühstücksfernsehen”). Following his recent Irish nationwide tour, Moncrieff is set to take to stages across the country this summer including Indiependence Festival, and is appearing as a special guest for Stereophonics at Fairview Park. 

‘Ruin’ showcases the passionate and diverse sound of Moncrieff. The track twist and turns through elegant ballad-esque tones and vibrant indie-pop outbursts to create a wholly immersive listening experience. Moncrieff’s knack with melody is on full display as he drizzles lush tones over a bubbling rhythmic foundation and shimmering synths to create a catchy tune sure to revolve in the listener’s head for days. His powerful vocals soar across the dynamic backdrop and anchor the listener within the track’s expressive soundscape as the song rushes to a cinematic crescendo. Moncrieff is a master of his craft. He captures heart-racing emotion through compelling hooks, evocative lyrics and emotive arrangements that stir the soul, ‘Ruin’ is an excellent example of this.

Stream ‘Ruin’ below 


Author: Danu

EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Kill ‘Em Charlie ‘Live at Rebel Recordings’ EP

Tipperary band Kill ‘Em Charlie have released their new live EP ‘Live at Rebel Recordings’.Kill ‘Em Charlie are a 5-piece indie rock outfit. They released their debut EP, “I Hope This Works for You (‘Cause it Does for Me)”, in late 2020.  

‘Live at Rebel Recordings’ is a riveting display of musicianship from Kill ‘Em Charlie. Throughout the EP the band utilize the raw aesthetic of a live show to present a tight and energetic group of songs for listeners to enjoy. Each song ignites with pounding drums, glorious melodic hooks and driving basslines. The EP is a fine example of the band’s diverse sound as they venture into heavier alternative tones for tracks like ‘Beamish’ and indie vibes for ‘Mama Jive’. From the light twinkle and buoyant indie of ‘One Thing to Say’ to the heart-racing punk-filled ‘Out Of The Blue’; ‘Live at Rebel Recordings’ showcases the band’s blossoming musical talent. The melodies within this EP are catchy and powerful and the band carefully create a wonderful soundscape that ventures between vigorous fun atmospherics and deft instrumentation to create a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. 

Stream ‘Live at Rebel Recordings’ below 


Author: Danu

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