The Goo 1
Reviews Singles San Rocco - ‘Orderly Lines’ The r
elatively hefty new track from the excellent San Rocco nods at Nick Cave’s more dramatic moments, boasting woozy, post-punk leaning guitars, a driving pace and a grandiose chorus so clean you could eat off of it. The wonderful songcraft on offer keeps things interesting, subtle nuance and variety throughout, the inspired work from Sean Julian and Paul Stokes underpinning a kaleidoscopic, effect laden affair, whilst the powerful, assured delivery of Jim McDonagh conspires to form a song herself and I might listen to getting ready for a night out on the town. As I said to my editor, “if ever there was a way I was going to say something positive about The Killers, it would be that they sound like a diabolically shit San Rocco.” AOC No Photos - ‘Sundays Are Always Quiet’ A refreshing dreamy Bedroom pop anthem from an upcoming Dublin pop/rap group. The second single off No Photos upcoming EP is a real breath of fresh air with singers Zach Okay and Casper Ivy combining to deliver a soulful and refreshing sound. The song takes inspiration from groups such as Brockhampton with its upbeat and playful lyrics. Expect big things from the band PAGE 10 Skull The Pierre - ‘Pain’ Skull the Pierre’s new single Pain fits the unique style we’ve come to expect from the Dublin-based rapper. Groovy and sometimes humorous delivery is integrated within the song’s deep vocal harmonies and unique melodies, showing off the artist’s talent not only as a rapper, but as a singer and producer also. The track is complemented by a tongue in cheek verse crafted by North-Dublin’s Kid Kuba, who’s feature adds further fuel to the funky fire. AP Gurriers - ‘Des Goblin’ Dublin based post punk band Gurriers follow up from a stellar 2023, which included a sold out headline show in The Grand Social and festival appearances around Europe, delivering a punchy atmospheric anthem which draws inspiration from The Chemical Brothers. With a catchy bassline and haunting production frontman Dan Hoff’s lyrics comment on social issues such as climate change. ‘Des Goblin’ is a strong start to the year for one of the country’s best up and coming bands. JMcB this year who continue to release unique and creative music. JMcB ADHAMH O’CAOIMH / JACK MCBAIN / PAUL FITZPATRICK / ANDREW PEARD / DAVID CARR / GARRY BAYLON / ETHAN GOLDING / NIKKI RAYMOND / AARON KAVANAGH / SHAR DULLAGHAN Bren Berry - ‘Hairpin Bends’ The former Coltranes/ Revelino guitarist releases the follow up to his very warmly received debut single ‘Winter Song’ and it’s another slice of lush pop, with whiffs of waltz (a la Rainy Night In Soho Pogues) sumptuous strings (courtesy of Cormac Curran’s Orphan String Quartet) and a lyric that proves that there’s always a way back into anything if your heart’s in it. Stirring stuff. PF Kim V.Porcelli - ‘Forest School’ Composer Kim V. Porcelli has been working with theatre and dance companies for some time, live-looping cello arrangements and composing for film, but it has been more than a decade since she has released new music. Like the gorgeous ‘And at the snap of lightning it was illuminated, black sky, inky black sea’ before it, here the cellist builds layers of dreamlike, ebbing strings, crafting ethereal soundscapes al la Zoë Keating. Musically, however I am more reminded of Warren Ellis’ abstractions in Dirty Three, as well as delicate moments in some larger scale works from Godspeed You! Black Emperor and solo pieces from Mabe Fratti. ‘We Came In And Lit The Fire’ employs interesting soundstretching techniques while ‘Romance Loops’ is equally evocative, shades of Eno and Reich throughout. A beautiful collection. AOC Dublin Jazzers For Gaza - ‘Lifelines’ The smoky horns eking out over the thoughtful, languid instrumentation here bring to mind a smoke shared between friends backlit by an open fire. This interpretation of the Palestinian national anthem is a somber and deliberate affair , delicate, arpeggiated chords and woozy bass dance around hypnotic percussion. Poet Billy O’ Hanluain intones hopeful declarations, employing deft wordplay and haunting imagery to weave words evocative and inspiring. A haunting, cautiously hopeful piece, with proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. A mandatory listen, brimming with empathy, and a beautiful tribute to a people we must keep doing all we can to help. AOC Khruangbin - ‘A Love International’ Texas band Khruangbin (it means Airplane in Thai) are inbound with their first long player in four years, April’s A LA SALA. Largely an instrumental trio, though they have had some vocalists guest on previous EP’s. Bar a fluttering of a vocal, this lead single is an exotic duet of bass and