SONGS OF THE WEEK
Sun.Set.Ships - Sinking Islands
Monaghan three-piece Sun.Set.Ships have thus far covered Chet Faker and Dido, which may give us an insight where the band see themselves, between pop and electronic. That sensibility is borne out in the band's new single Sinking Islands, a digital electronic pop track with sweet vocal tones. An EP and album are forthcoming this year.
Sample Answer - Collision
London-based Dublin singer-songwriter has come up trumps with his best song yet, a lilting folk song that recalls the best kind of American indie-rock of the past 15 years. Maurice O'Connor has a new EP coming in the next few weeks, his third so far.
Colour Canyon - Home
Last year's Record Store Gay compilation introduced us to Colour Canyon, Harry Bookless (Carriages/little xs for eyes) and Michelle Considine (little xs for eyes) via a Human League cover. For their debut original track, the idea that kicked off the project, vocal experimentation, is at the fore, as pleasing soft 1980s-style synth pop meanders around the voices joined by clipped beats. An exercise in beauty.
Rocstrong – Block Party (Kaiser)
If you subscribe to the idea that marking of a passing of a loved one should involve a celebration as opposed to a mourning, then you'll Andre Bangala's new funk-rock single, an ode to his deceased friend John Ojo.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
September Girls - Age Of Indignation
For album number two, the Dublin-based five-piece have sunk deeper into the a murky swirling rock sound drawing inspiration from Eastern scales and basement garage rock production. Topics addressed include domestic abuse, the Catholic Church, online bullying, religion and the 1916 Rising. The foreboding subject matter is ably matched by the caustic dystopian feel.
NEW ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Niamh Crowther
Proof that talent takes time and space to develop is often evident in the trajectory of musicians. Niamh Crowther started out at age 16 by winning the Irish Youth Music Awards (taking place on Saturday, April 16th) and while she's still studying, her forthcoming EP further compounds the "one to watch" tag. It's still early days but the sweet acoustic folk music she's making now on tracks such as piano-ballad Origins and the upbeat radio hit Little By Little suggests a rising talent.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
MMOTHS - Lucid
Directed by Jack Colleran
Jack Colleran's ambient electronic explorations lean towards the cinematic already but here the keen photographer captured some video footage of Dublin city skyline, trees, birds and people to give the album track an extra dimension.
