Irish music is arguably in the best place it’s ever been, with new releases pushing the envelope week on week in a variety of genres. Jake Hurley presents The City Selects – a run-down of five of the most exciting Irish tracks released in the past month.
Elkin – Tuesday
Irish duo Elkin continue their evolution from the folksier sounds of their earlier career towards the forward-thinking electro-pop they’ve presented on recent releases with Tuesday – a track detailing a relationship prematurely fizzling out with a disappointing mid-week breakup.
Producer Lullahush adds his touch future-bass indebted synth-scapes and elaborately layered vocal processing.
Lemonade Shoelace – Autopilot Paradise
Newcastle, Co Down artist Ruairí Richman, now known by his Lemonade Shoelace moniker, shares the relentlessly upbeat and sunny sounds of Autopilot Paradise – a track calling to mind the hazy psych-rock of his musical idol Kevin Parker of Tame Impala. Recorded at Richman’s home studio, Autopilot Paradise is built around hazy synth pads and a driving bassline that underpins Richman’s dreamy reverb and echo-drenched vocals delivering the hook’s memorable pop melody.
NEOMADiC featuring shiv – Waves
NEOMADiC have been a fixture on the Irish hip-hop since 2017’s The NEOMADiC Tape, with a career that’s seen them frequently appear on the festival circuit and support left-field rap legends Souls of Mischief and Pharoah Monch.
Ahead of the release of their upcoming AFTER DARK, they have shared Waves, which features the duo trading witty bars over a Kaytranada indebted beat – all jazzy synth pads, swung drums and booming 808s. The pair are joined by guest vocalist shiv, who confidently delivers smooth melodies throughout the track.
Ugolino – Early Hours
Dublin hip-hop duo Ugolino, made up of vocalist Shane Richardson and producer Oran Hurley, are another exciting prospect from the city’s booming rap scene. On Early Hours the duo present a remarkably well-formed debut, featuring introspective lyricism from Richardson, ornate jazzy production from Hurley and pristine additional vocals courtesy of Leah Tierney. The track culminates as Richardson waxes lyrical over a cathartic burst of drums and brass that add urgency to his laconic flow.
Willhouse feat Fynch & Sick Nanley – So Sorry
Up-and-coming hip-hop producer Willhouse enlists Burner Records MCs Fynch and Sick Nanley for So Sorry – a track that displays both rappers preternatural abilities for crafting witty, reference-laden verses touching on everything from The Simpsons and Malcolm In The Middle to Nirvana’s Nevermind.
Willhouse provides a melancholy sonic environment for the MCs to shine through a vocal sample he has altered and supported with nicely swung, J Dillaesque drum programming.