Sacred Animals – founded and led by very own Daragh Nolan – have been a dab hand at remixes and collaborations for a while now. Having delivered one of the finest Irish EPs of recent times (which unfortunately is now unavailable online), Daragh has been churning out consistently quality material – sampling/working with the likes of Young Wonder, Steffalloo/Steve McEvoy and plenty more. Best just to check out the site, click play and soak it all in.
I heard this latest remix a few weeks back and was immediately enraptured by it. It was that good that I immediately sought out the original and found myself equally impressed. ‘Ageless’ has that brittle, simple beauty that Broadcast delivered so well (particularly on ‘Tears in the Typing Pool‘) and thankfully, this version doesn’t remove any of its glory. Instead, it adds a subtle dash of colour and a quiet atmospheric oomph to forge a gorgeous end product.
This new video, courtesy of Rather Nicely, does a great job of conveying it all visually.
I first caught Cat at last year’s KnockanStockan where she was mightily impressive on the main stage. With a debut album now under her belt and a multitude of plaudits to go with it, her star seems set to keep rising. ‘Come On’ shows why; a soft and wondrous track that’s powered by some yearning vocals that glow with genuine feeling.
Solar Bears – ‘Oceans Bleeding Through’
Emerging as a ‘thank you’ to fans on their Facebook page a couple of weeks back this beautiful studio cut is a short and sweet summer breeze that recalls Virgin Suicides era Air.
Another comparison with some French musical pioneers and a film score, this time it’s the work of Trophy Boyfriend who turns ’11:13′ into a driving electronic journey that wouldn’t look out of place on Daft Punk’s Tron score.
The Statics – ‘Alone’
To be found on their debut EP Hidden Pigeon, ‘Alone’ doesn’t stray an inch from The Statics now familiar blend of jangly guitars and 90′s indie-pop melodies - simple, effective and very catchy.
Liza Flume ‘What We Called Love’
Technically speaking Liza is Australian born but she’s Dublin based so she makes the list . This is a hell of a debut anyway, and one far too good to ignore. Beginning very simply, the looped vocals and clicks are cleverly linked to forge a gripping tale of relationship woe, one that’s more powerful than primitive. Oh and that Daithí remix is worth investigating too…
Galwegian fiddle-wielder Daithi has been building a solid rep over the last few years but this track is a step beyond. Apparently written during our winter, ‘Chameleon Life’ is a huge summer pop smash delivered at the perfect time – just as us Irish are dusting off the barbecues and tank tops at the faintest flicker of sunshine. Top quality vocals from Raye too. File this one next to ‘Get Lucky’ on the Summer ’13 mix.
The rat race has gobbled me up and I’m now a 9-5er who – despite good intentions – finds it increasingly hard to sit down and type after a day of typing. This page has been somewhat threadbare as a result but to make up for this here’s an aural collage of songs I’ve been meaning to post.
The steady flow of deadly stuff coming from this little island shows no signs of abating and there’s loads more to come but this will do for now…
Young Wonder – ‘Time’ (Ft. Sacred Animals)
Cork duo Young Wonder team up with Sacred Animals for an electro-pop belter. I loved this from the get-go and it’s ridiculosuly polished but that cameo from Daragh (Sacred Animals) steals the show for me. YW are in for a BIG summer and can be found at most of the major upcoming Irish festivals.
Biggles Flys Again – ‘Friends’
The solo project of Conor Deasy, Biggles Flys Again is a project high on warm, genial jaunts and pretty pop moments – none more so than chirpy little tale of tested friendship. Their debut album, Remember Saturday, is out now.
Meltybrains? – ‘Intros Are So Original’
Gripping instrumental work from new Dublin lot Meltybrains? that builds and builds – adding new element to new element – before it’s all squared off with a giant finish. Their debut EP Attention! Now That We Have Your Attention is out now.
Soak – ‘Explosion’
Proof that ‘Sea Creatures’ wasn’t a once off. 16 year old Bridie delivers again on ‘Explosions’, another tender, plucked lament. This version on 98FMs Totally Irish is unpolished but full of charm.
Peadar Kearney – ‘St.Etienne’
Similar to the fledgling steps of his fellow Newbridge resident Mmoths this is super chilled stuff, tailor made for the closing of a perfect evening.
Black Forrest – ‘Magpie’
KaraKara himself doesn’t appear to know what this project entails (as evidenced by the title ‘Experimental folk side project?’) but I really like it, whistling solo and all. What makes it even better is the fact that he used “a harp-type thing made from a quality street tin and elastic bands” to construct it.
“You’ve changed and I guess that’s to be expected…
All There are a new American outfit who have delivered something rather lovely on this, their debut single. A spacious, ambient number ’You’ve Changed’ is an aural tonic that glides along ridiculously easy – that simple piano line giving way to some Unkle-esque trip-hop flashes and dual vocal work, before it erupts and then fades to black. Lovely stuff.
It features on All There’s forthcoming debut album which sounds pretty interesting in itself:
“A concept album, it centres around a couple, vocalized by Maxton Stenstrom and Pilot Chmielarczyk, beginning to see their two-year relationship crumble over the changing seasons of a year. The album is divided into four sections, corresponding to each season. As the story shifts and evolves in the foreground of a changing environment, the sound and feel of the songs take new shape as well, reflecting the different environmental and emotional climates.”
