The Goo 1
Singles Words: David Carr/Eli Maguire/Leroy Tanne
r/Des Traynor Crimestar - 2Hot Crimestar consists of four women living in Portarlington, Co Laois, who met at the local Open Mic and decided to pool their musical resources. Their debut single clocks in at 7 minutes 20 seconds, but feels like it is only getting going while it fades. Slow, brooding and atmospheric, reminiscent of The Cocteau Twins or Portishead at their most ethereal, it builds to an explosive, frenzied vocal crescendo more in the vein of Patti Smith or P J Havery. More will be heard from this combo. DT changes tack somewhat, offering a slice of the summer of love, when baggy tops and sun hats trampled through orbital fields in search of bliss. Ok, it’s very Stone Roses-y but ya know what, it put me in a good mood and I want to see this band live. The production is top notch and evocative. Result! LT Eppie - Sunbathing In Winter Sunbathing in Winter is a nostalgic bedroom pop track about sunbathing at the wrong time of year, catching chest infections, and reuniting with a childhood friend. It’s gorgeously lo-fi - very evocative of 80’s Cherry Red bands like Tracey Thorns Marine Girls or Weekend - but captivating in all the right ways. As post-punk and shoegaze dominate it’s refreshing to hear a sound like this also emanate from our city. The future is bright. iNNUENDO - Rosemary The always interesting Art-pop quartet iNNUENDO have dabbled in ‘70s Prog, ’80s Kate Bush-ism, and ‘90s indie. With their latest effort, they’re pretty much bang up to date. Brim with melody as ever, they fire in a slew of arpeggiators that would impress Melts. The wonderful crescendo encapsulates all the enthusiasm Nora Ronan brings to the party. I can just imagine all the patrons spinning round in joy as they sing along atop their voices. DC All That I Knew Was Blue - Hamer Place Described as a ‘classic bildungsroman’, Hamer place’s new release, built on twee guitars and hyperactive drums is a delight to listen to. Reminiscent of Billy Bragg or Elvis Costello, Ross Hamer’s waggish lyrics paired with muted punk guitars is a perfect soundtrack for pogo dancing in one’s bedroom. ‘All That I Knew Was Blue’ is part of a future full album to be released soon. EM Sir Marmalade - Caligula/Tail End Formed in Dublin, this psych outfit added Asia Wolf (ex-Sun Mahshene) to their contingent prior to this double single and are remarkably well suited to their label, Fuzzed-Up Astromoon. The shorter ‘Caligula’ hits all the touchstones of a psych classic with some added synth in the low end, reminding me of the brilliant Indonesian band Crayola Eyes. The flip ‘Tail-End’ is more of a sustained wig out à la Frankie & The Witch Fingers. DC circa - Someday This is class. The Dublin based four piece have released some banging tunes recently but this one 10 Dopamine Fix - Welcome To The Sharktank Debut single from the Limerick duo - on the always fascinating Blowtorch Records imprint - who plunder their obvious 80’s influences to great effect to produce a song that oozes class and distinction. Aiden McNamara’s edgy vocal delivery intensifies the song’s sense of anxiety and the music succinctly succeeds in capturing the unease of the current political climate. Captivating! LT MayKay - Busted You may know her from Fight Like Apes or party starters Le Galaxie, but 20 years into her career, we have been treated to a single from MayKay, that also announces her self-titled debut coming on 10th October. A cautionary tale of male misogyny, “Ask yourself, can this man be trusted?”. Giving vibes of peak Alanis Morissette with its country splashes. The chugging, deliberate beat helps build to a satisfying, almost anthemic crescendo. Album now, please!! DC