Fish Go Deep: What I Mean by Beautiful – Rebel City house music

Clubbing in Ireland reveals some interesting contrasts when you consider which genres and subcultures resonated in its cities. Techno thrived in Dublin while a more soulful house vibe captured hearts and filled dance floors in Cork. Sweat, at the Rebel City’s legendary Sir Henry’s, is a shining example and one of country’s most fondly remembered nights. Shane Johnson and Greg Dowling ran Sweat in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Decades later, they are unveiling their fourth studio album, What I Mean by Beautiful, which is a holistic listening experience rather than a collection of floor-filling bangers.

Fish Go Deep get things off to an exceedingly pleasant atmospheric start on I Float in the Clouds, a breezy and captivating tapestry of modular synths, gentle electronic soundscapes and understated guitar. They up the ante slightly on the title track and build it right up on You Came into My Life and All in Everything. Johnson and Dowling display an impressive grasp of tone and texture throughout. It’s fascinating to hear them hone their sensibilities, sharpened by years behind the decks, into such a delightfully assured collection. Unsurprisingly, they’ve already won glowing endorsements for What I Mean by Beautiful from international names of the clout and calibre of Richard Dorfmeister and Laurent Garnier.

Fish Go Deep are a long-standing Irish musical institution who have delivered another fine career instalment. At least Cork can justifiably claim to being our real capital for house music.