STUCK IN A bit of a musical rut? Try these up and coming Irish artists for size.
1. LYRA
Cork singer LYRA came to national attention when her song Emerald was featured in the RTÉ drama Striking Out. She channels Florence and the Machine, Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks – basically all the greats.
2. Hare Squead
Dublin’s Hare Squead make music you just have to dance to, as their two wedged sets at Electric Picnic last year can attest. If I Ask is their first major label release (they signed with Sony/Columbia Records in 2015) and it is a BOP.
3. Bad Sea
Dublin ‘banger merchants’ Alan Farrell and Ciara Mary Alice Thompson are influenced by everything from country to Aaliyah – their first single Solid Air is a lovely slice of soulful pop.
4. Áine Cahill
Cavan native Áine made a huge impression when she was featured on the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury last year – the dark subject matter of her songs (this one is about the infamous Black Dahlia murder case) calls to mind Lana Del Rey.
5. Le Boom
Understated yet extremely danceable, electronic pop duo Le Boom’s first single What We Do has established them as purveyors of perfect party music. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
6. Saint Sister
Morgan McIntyre and Gemma Doherty combine electronic pop, folksy harmonies and the electro-acoustic harp to create ‘atmosfolk’. True originals.
7. Pillow Queens
Pillow Queens are four gals from Dublin doing an excellent line in punk pop. In December, they released their first three-track EP, Calm Girls – listen to it here.
8. Orchid Collective
Orchid Collective’s folk rock sound can be compared to Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, with beautiful harmonies and ‘blissed-out’ melodies. Kodaline fans will enjoy.
9. BARQ
This four-piece have developed a sound they call ‘alt R&B’, with great vocals from frontwoman Jess Kavanagh. Extremely funky.
10. Farah Elle
Farah Elle’s music is truly unusual – she draws from pop and R&B as well as her childhood in Libya, and ties them together with her incredible voice. She’s currently writing and recording her highly anticipated debut album from her home.
11. Hot Cops
Belfast lads Hot Cops are influenced by indie rock greats like Pavement and Deerhunter – single Passive Passive wouldn’t sound out of place in Placebo’s back catalogue.
12. Darling
Despite what the name suggests, Darling are far from cutesy, with something of The Killers about them. Dare we say there are hints of U2 in there too? We do.
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