The Goo 1
Singles David Carr/Alannah Nic an tSionnaigh/Nial
l McGuirk/Paul Fitzpatrick SEP '25 In Athens - Or Anything This is the first single by Connemara’s In Athens, which will form part of an EP scheduled for October. This weighty rock song reminded me of Bullet in the Blue Sky (Live) with its cyclical guitar riffs that hit you in waves. These big sounds are balanced nicely in the mix with the vocals of Grainne Bleasdale, and there are some vintage synths to boot. It’s quite the entrance. DC tor. ‘BLUE’ brings lofi bedroom R&B, so smooth it almost pours into your ears, then segues into an explainer about the circumstances of the Irish language using the phrase “duine gorm” to describe a Black Irish person. ‘FANGIRL’ is R&B of the highest quality with a soaring guitar solo, “This ain’t just another song”. Closer ‘NWANNE’ draws from ethnic sounds and lyrics to create something truly beautiful, perhaps returning to the dreamscape of the opener. DC Inni-K – In The Beat Inni-K open ‘In The Beat’ with spás, análú, agus fuinneamh ciúin that grows stronger everynóiméad. Synth lines hang san aer, feadóg slicing tríd with teas agus croí. The rithim is deliberate, steady, alive, commanding tú to fanacht sa láthair. Layers pile on, textures gaining meáchan, building and building until the whole track glows. By the close, tú ag mothú gach buille, gach fuaim, every subtle twist Inni-K throws your way. It’s immersive, powerful, agus downright iontach le héisteacht leis. AntS NIGHTBUS - Ascension Emerging from an area of England between Manchester and Stockport, their dark-wave Joy Division-influenced single Mirrors garnered immediate interest and acclaim. This single announces an album due in October. In spite of its themes of suicide, it’s more euphoric and channels club culture, not least with its use of an acid synth. It sounds slightly hazy in that it could be a memory or even— aptly— a post-club bus journey home. Get on these early. DC Burglar - Unlucky EP This is the debut EP for the emerging Dublin-based duo. Snapped up by TULLE, they’ve produced a beguiling ‘90s alternate four-tracker. There are sounds of Sonic Youth, early Radiohead, and Compulsion. Eduardo Pinheiro and Willow Hannon blend, alternate, and harmonise their voices to good effect, and the acoustic guitar is utilised throughout. For me, it gets better as it progresses. While ‘Mousetrap’ is probably the most interesting musically, the closer ‘Washing Machine’ peaks with its shimmering guitar and shoegaze-inspired sound. DC Unstuck - Documentary This Dublin punk pop trio likes to get to the point quickly. ‘Documentary’ is 87 seconds long, there’s no phaffing around on this sonic tornado and it’s great. They support Search Results on their September tour and are well worth checking out live. PF Negro Impacto - TV Dreams EP Dundalks’ neo-soul duo have delivered a top-drawer EP. Musically diverse in scope, it adds samples and references to ground it in Ireland. ‘SEESAW’ is a dreamscape of voices that takes influences from DJ Harrison’s production. ‘1800’ is a slickly delivered groover. Upbeat and seductive, the unusual addition of the psych guitar gives it an X-facSexyTadhg – Ceannasacht ‘Ceannasacht’ moves low and deliberate, bass ag crith faoi do chraiceann, sax sliding isteach agus amach le teannas. SexyTadhg’s guth, lán le Gaeilge, bród agus misneach, cuts díreach tríd, carving out queer spás sa phobal Gaeilge with every focal. The groove is steady but electrified: bass keeps the croí, sax sparks heat, drumaí drive an rithim unstoppable. It’s confident, uncompromising, agus bríomhar. ‘Ceannasacht’ is a fearless anthem of queer féiniúlacht sa phobal Gaeilge. AntS The Ataris - Car Song The Ataris are a product of punk rock but their singalong tunes have a real hint of Americana to it. 15 years since their last album they have a new record out and I always had the band pigeonholed as more pop punk than a thinking person’s punk band. This is that thinking person’s music. I lost my dad 6 years ago. I think about him everyday, of how he didn’t understand my world but completely understood my wanting to be in it. He supported my hare brained schemes, let me off with my ramblings and always helped provide that cushion for me to fall on. The Ataris lead singer Kristopher Roe lost his dad in 2014 and their new 7” is in memory of him. Those people who helped shape us never leave us and when they depart we look for their support more than ever, this is a beautifully put piece of work in memory of Kristopher’s Dad but put it on and bring your own memories to the party. NmcG 11