Delve into the very best Irish tracks and albums of the week, featuring the likes of the Personal Vanity Project, Eamon Ivri, pôt-pot, David Kitt, and a special release from Elaine Mai, May Kay and Faye O’Rourke along with the Young People from Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine The Personal Vanity Project – Track 94 David Kitt feat Mick + Annie Tierney – Say No More Elaine Mai, May Kay, Faye O’Rourke, + Young People from Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine – We Are We Are by Elaine Mai pôt-pot – GOING INSANE GOING INSANE by pôt-pot Eoin Dolan – The Most Important Thing Is Peace Within Yourself The Most ..read more

Over the last few years, Philip Wallace has underscored his status as one of the island’s most idiosyncratic musical minds. From playing harmonica and percussion in Cashier No. 9, to his amp-blown mastery as one-half of Waldorf & Cannon, the Derry artist has always marched to the beat of his very own, genre-spanning drum. It’s a singular journey that continues with ‘Spit It Out,’ the multi-instrumentalist’s – and now one-man-band’s – first offering under his new Hypnic Jerk moniker. And what a blitzing return it is. Concisely summed up as “a song about getting things off your chest and not ..read more

From Fugazi and Marvin Gaye, to Circle and Weidorje, Ellie Myler from ØXN and Percolator explores the records that have left a lasting impression on her life. Photos by Thom McDermott Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On I remember the first time I heard the title track on vinyl, through decent speakers, with intention. Feeling like I was in the room when the chatter of the Detroit Lions came in, that was the whole point I think. The choice Marvin Gaye made to produce it himself cracked it wide open and let the listener in. The lofty strings didn’t scare you off, it’s protest, observation and affecti ..read more

Pillow Queens’ third album Name Your Sorrow is a raucous feat of passion and disdain that explores the many facets of sorrow. The Dublin quartet have returned with something that offers little new, but brings to light the weaknesses of previous albums in its refinement of their shortcomings. Toeing the line between their first two albums, it lands in a sweet middle ground where we find Pillow Queens at their most refined. “Let’s just play some rock n roll music,” exclaims the opening track ‘February 8th’, punctuated by each instrument as they re-introduce the band one by one. Instruments are l ..read more

Adrianne Lenker live at Vicar Street in Dublin and the Black Box in Galway with support from Ellie O’Neill. Photos by Monika Ruman and Ciaran O Maolain Black Box in Galway by Ciaran O Maolain Vicar Street in Dublin by Monika Ruman ..read more

Sprints live at the Ulster Sports Club in Belfast. Photos by Aislinn McGinn ..read more

Shobsy live at the Workman’s Club in Dublin with support from Chubby Cat. Photos by Ian Davies ..read more

In the latest installment of Monday Mixtape, Rob Walsh and Rían Trench of Dublin noise-punk masters PANIKATAX fly the flag for Underground Resistance, Clarissa Connelly, Big Black, Nitzer Ebb, This Heat and more Rob Walsh Underground Resistance – Final Frontier This track from Mad Mike and Co. at Underground Resistance is a seminal classic. It sparked my love for Detroit techno and continues to have an overwhelming effect on me to this day. The nostalgia level is off the charts on this one, reminding me of growing up in the Irish dance scene, the first place where I felt accepted. Daughters ..read more

From every corner of the island, here’s the most essential new Irish music of the week, featuring Pillow Queens, exmagician, Stray Planets, Winnie Ama, Stomptown Brass and more Pillow Queens – Name Your Sorrow Name Your Sorrow by Pillow Queens exmagician – Sharpen These Stray Planets – I Liked You Better Before Winnie Ama – Tangled Stomptown Brass – It Did Went Down It Did Went Down by Stomptown Brass Colm Warren – Dead Days SLOUCHO feat. EMBY and Zack Oke – Brand New PostLast – Connect 4 Nylophone – More of the Same   ..read more

Martina and the Moons live at Whelan’s in Dublin with support from Kathryn Stewart and Julie Martin. Photos by Ian Davies ..read more