Ireland’s music scene is experiencing a bit of an up surge at the moment. With the resurgence of Hozier, Villager’s set to release an album this Friday and the several Irish acts traveling to this years Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, it’s time The New Pollution brought some of these acts to the spotlight.
So there’s now a Spotify playlist containing 11 great Irish artists you should hear.
Fontaines D.C.
This five piece Dublin band blend a Post-Punk sound with a vocal and lyrical style that echo the sights, sounds and smells of Dublin’s traditional culture. With odes to spots like the Liberties (Liberty Belle) and the age old Irish topic of immigration (Boys in the Better Land), Fontaines D.C. have carved out a corner in the Alternative-Rock scene that stand second to none.
Niamh Crowther
I met Niamh a long time back at a gig in Whelan’s and, to be honest I don’t usually have an interest in the Singer-Songwriter genre, however, Niamh’s style is not only unique in this respect, but also enveloping and mesmerising. She’s been as far a field as London to perform and has ranked up a serious amount of plays on Spotify considering she isn’t signed to any label.
Odu
Odu was born in New York, but grew up in Wicklow’s seaside town of Bray. Having released her debut EP, Conversations, she displays the courageous pageantry of what once described as “balls out Pop.“ She also set to release a new single, ‘Roots’, this Friday so keep eyes peeled for her social medias.
RUTH
Honestly, RUTH’s bio says it best – “Ruth is a Dublin based artist, originally from Co. Kerry, Ireland. Having brought a classic sound with a modern twist to the Irish music scene, she is very quickly coming to prominence within the music industry.” Her brand of Alt-Pop breathes the air of technical eclecticism and grandeur, while not becoming indecipherable or uninteresting.
Katie Laffan
Having released the EP, Spacer, earlier this year, this Dublin Singer/Songwriter/Producer draws on the influences of Punk, Pop Funk and Electronica to deliver the super charged energy of a master.
Shane May
I saw Shane May only once in Sin E and it was a performance I wasn’t expecting. Again, Singer/Songwriter’s aren’t usually my thing, but I sat and had a look and May’s voice, despite reaching bellowing out so loudly, never missed a note once. In 20 minutes or less, Shane May had walked off the stage with the room at his feet. And I can’t wait to see what he does next.
NC Grey
NC Grey is THE R&B artist in Ireland. She’s been championed by RTE2FM and Hotpress alike and is just simply brilliant.
The Sunshine Factory
I’ve only discovered this Cork-born experimental Rock band very recently. But, what I can say for them is that they have one of the most ground breaking sounds I’ve heard doing the rounds. Drawing from Shoegaze, Psychedelia, Rock and more, this is a band that will go far. They’ll soon be making a trip over to London to support The Murder Capital.
Jambo
Jambo is an Irish Hip-Hop artist signed with Ath Cliath Records, an independent record label on the Dublin’s North side. Jambo has released several records to date and delivers an original and evocative pallet to Dublin’s Hip-Hop culture.
Kojaque
Kojaque is probably one of the most sophisticated Irish artists on the scene. Under the Soft Boy label, Kojaque released his album Deli Daydreams in 2018. This walk through a week in the life of a Deli worker courses through Rap, Hip Hop and R&B in a manner that pedestals Kojaque to a level of talent and maturity not usually harnessed by artists so young.
Rebel Phoenix
Born and raised in Dublin, this Hip Hop artist has been a big name in the Irish rap game for years. He’s released a string of singles and two albums with flaunt his talent to stack arrhythmic rhymes over pulsating beats.
The New Pollution 