New artist of the week
Cruising
If you're cruising for a musical bruising then you may look no further than the band called Cruising. Named after a pretty terrible "cult" film which starred Al Pacino as an undercover cop trying to find a killer in the underground gay S&M scene in New York, Cruising split their time between the Dublin and Belfast music scenes and feature members of September Girls, Logikparty, Sea Pinks and Girls Names.
Their Tough Love Records debut EP features the track Safe Corridor, which has all the hallmarks of musicians versed in the darkest recesses of rock: from post-punk to garage to kraut and the result is a thrilling throwback that sounds full of modern vitality. It'll be released on hot pink vinyl in August.
Songs of the week
Cut Once – Forget About the World
Aisling Browne and Michael Heffernan's electronic pop project has roots in techno and dark clubs as evident on Heffernan's production identity. Anchoring that tendency for dark sounds, Browne provides an uplifting counterpoint. On their new single, they implore you to lose yourself to that juxtaposition.
Oh Volcano – Don't Know Love
When their band General Fiasco called it a day, Owen and Enda Strathern's music took a different approach. The Belfast brothers delved into strident atmospheric pop as Oh Volcano. Don't Know Love reaches for highs on its chorus and achieves its marks.
Album of the week
The North Sea - Anniversary
The North County Dublin five-piece of The North Sea's debut album is firmly rooted in the melodic indie-rock of the last decade as heard on tracks like December, In Love and Drinking Alone. Eoin Kenny's vocals similarly recall the engulfing effect of nineties UK indie's most soulbaring singers.
The 10-track album was recorded in France at Black Box Studios with Dave Odlum and while it doesn't break any new ground, fans of old-fashioned indie bands will find much to enjoy.
The band launch their album at the Grand Social in Dublin on Friday night.
Video of the week
Collie - Lazy Bones ft. Funzo
Irish hip-hop is still something that most people aren't at ease with, so what better way to ease into the laid back track by Dublin rapper Collie than with some puppeteering by Ray Cuddihy? Perfection. Director: Jonathan Lambert
