Tag: Ireland

OUT TODAY: Ben Reel Shares Soulful New Single ‘I Will’ Ahead of Twelfth Studio Album Spirit’s Not Broken

As he prepares to release his twelfth studio album Spirit’s Not Broken, Irish troubadour BEN REEL offers a heartfelt preview with his brand-new single ‘I Will’, available today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

‘I Will’ radiates the warm, golden tones of ‘70s soft rock, laced with a smooth, soulful disco groove. Ben’s unmistakable raspy vocal — often compared to the likes of John Hiatt and Roy Orbison — brings a raw emotional edge to the track, elevating its tender declaration of love. The single continues Ben’s rich musical journey that spans rock, folk, soul, and Americana — a unique fusion that earned him the title “the Irish Springsteen.”

With a career spanning over three decades, Ben has performed extensively across the globe and has made notable appearances on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio. He’s shared the stage with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen, carving out a respected space in the international music scene.

His 2020 album The Nashville Calling topped the Euro Americana Chart, and his recent releases — Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023) — further cemented his reputation as a fearless, ever-evolving artist.

Slated for release on 23th January 2026, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ promises to be one of his most dynamic to date. Opening with the raw rock energy Ben is known for, the album flows seamlessly into soulful and R&B-inspired grooves, channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that balances grit and grace, offering a powerful reminder in a divided world: to simply love one another.

To begin that message, Ben Reel shares ‘I Will’ — out now today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

Connect with Ben Reel via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/benreelmusic
X: https://x.com/benreel
IG: https://www.instagram.com/benreelmusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benreelmusic?
Website: https://benreel.com/

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OUT TODAY: Sleepy Days share nostalgic single, ‘Night Owl’

Hailing from Dublin, indie rock band SLEEPY DAYS came to fruition after an act of kindness: whilst studying at BIMM Dublin (Dublin Music college), the quartet quickly rallied into the college’s recording studio, to rescue a mutual friend’s final assignment.

From that moment, Conor Dwyer (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Michael O’Kane (lead guitar & backing vocals), Alex Ganje (bass) and Aaron Lacumber (drums), realised they had immediate chemistry and, as the saying goes, the rest was history. From that undeniable bond, Sleepy Days has conjured their trademark that takes inspiration from Japanese rock, synth pop and surf rock and perhaps a hint of shoegaze.

Their new single,’Night Owl’ immediately transports you back to the late eighties/early nineties when shoegaze was at its best. With reverbing guitar riffs and hypnotic rhythms, ‘Night Owl’ reflects lead vocalist Conor Dwyer’s struggle to transition from the nocturnal life of the college days into the early starts in the real working world.

With the ahead on, brash arrangements, perfectly reflecting the dreaded changeover, this single should be an ode to any soon-to-be graduates who are anxious about to that major life leap.

‘Night Owl’ is out today (21st February) across various music platforms. To commemorate the release of the single, the guys are headlining a show in The Workman’s Club Main Room, Dublin, hosted by Ex-Oh Promotions, on Friday, 7th March.

Why listen to ‘Night Owl’ below…

Connect with Sleepy Days via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sleepydaysband
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sleepydaysband
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepydaysband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepydaysband

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Song of the Day: Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays – Love, Builder Of Worlds

In response to a collective groan that could be heard amongst commuters as they return to a place of grind after a carefree weekend, multidisciplinary artist LOVE, BUILDER OF WORLDS has shared a soothing remedy, forming the single ‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’, available now across various music platforms.

‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ offers itself as a reprieve from the cacophony of chaos that is the commute, and serves the listener as a friendly accompaniment of comfort on those seemingly endless mundane Mondays and the days that follow.

The lo-fi jazz instrumental is inspired by the infamous London commute the anti-binary artist grew up deeply entrenched in; acutely aware of its adornments of delays, overcrowded platforms, stuffy and sometimes sweltering heat, and of course its ear piercing symphony of screeches.

Now residing in Ireland’s vibrant capital Dublin, Love, Builder Of Worlds also prides the composition as an anti-capitalist song for the worker. Briefly interrupted by a voice, the single pull us out of the wistful daze and remind us that the shareholders of the corporations we toil for matter much more than our desperate need for work/life balance.

‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ follows Love Builder Of World’s debut single, punk rock anthem ‘Scared For The Climate’, which sits at the opposite end of the musical spectrum. While ‘Scared For The Climate’ was filled with angst and furore, ‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ conveys the weight of its sentiments wordlessly, and the listener is invited to find a soft landing against the frenzied familiar.

An avid campaigner for the voiceless Love, Builder of Worlds, is part of Olólúfè Collective, which offers a safe space for marginalised people to create, collaborate and practice collectivism. With this platform, he is able to express himself freely and unapologetically, through music – whether its punk rock, neo-funk, disco, blues, afrobeats, alté, indie-electro pop and garage music.

With two contrasting singles – a raucous anthem and a tranquil instrumental – under his musical belt, Love, Builder Of Worlds displays a natural aptitude to utilise multiple music styles to demonstrate the breadth of self-expression and concerns of the world’s biggest issues.

‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ was released on 25th November 2024 on various music platforms.

** Love, Builder Of Worlds is not on social media **
Connect via:
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lovebuilderofworlds
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveBuilderofWorlds

Olólúfè Collective:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ololufecollective/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ololufecollective

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Hammer Shares EP ‘Swerve’ via Skylax Records

Northern Irish producer HAMMER shares his much-anticipated 4-track EP,’ Swerve’, on all major streaming platforms via Skylax Records.

Hammer, championed by the influential BICEP crew, has been making significant waves in the electronic music scene. With numerous EPs released on prominent labels such as Optimo Music, Sulta Selects, Shall Not Fade, and Feel My Bicep, his distinctive style has captivated a dedicated following within the leftfield and Italo-disco communities. His upcoming 12-inch release is set to ignite dance floors worldwide.

The EP kicks off with ‘Swerve,’ a track that channels the pure essence of BICEP’s iconic style. Rich, immersive soundscapes and dynamic compositions capture the spirit of the duo’s renowned productions, paying homage to the genre’s roots while pushing it forward.

Next is ‘Swivel,’ a genuine Italo-disco gem featuring lush, retro-infused synths and irresistible basslines. This track transports listeners to the heyday of the Italo-disco era, a genre that continues to influence and inspire contemporary electronic music.

The B-side opens with ‘Tbilisi’, a tribute to the vibrant electronic music scene in Tbilisi, Georgia. Hammer masterfully captures the essence of the scene, blending elements of techno, house, and avant-garde. This track showcases Hammer’s versatility and his ability to navigate different musical landscapes seamlessly.

The EP concludes with ‘Push Repeat,’ an electrifying track destined to be a hit on discerning dance floors. With driving beats, infectious melodies, and undeniable energy, Hammer’s mastery of groove and rhythm is on full display, setting the tone for what’s to come.

Reflecting on the EP, Hammer shares, “I was thrilled when Skylax loved the demos I sent over, especially since it’s a label I’ve admired since childhood. The EP offers a range of housey rollers that evoke rave memories, with darker disco vibes on the B-side.”

Hammer’s upcoming release on Skylax Records is nothing short of a masterstroke. It not only solidifies his position as a standout talent in the electronic music realm but also underscores Skylax’s commitment to delivering innovative and genre-defying sounds to discerning listeners. This EP is poised to become an essential addition to any music aficionado’s collection and a testament to the ever-evolving, boundary-pushing nature of contemporary electronic music.

Prepare to embark on a sonic journey through the mind of Hammer and experience the future of dance music. Have a listen to the EP below…

Must Listens: Swerve, Tbilisi

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Love, Builder of Worlds is ‘Scared For The Climate’ In debut single

With wildfires ripping through Texas back in February and hail storms flooding the streets of Northern Italy in sheets of ice last July – there’s no two ways about it – climate change is a pressing concern.

This serious issue that threatens the global population has spurred on artist LOVE, BUILDER OF WORLDS – to pen and produce debut single, ‘Scared For The Climate?’ during a surprisingly mild winter in Dublin, Ireland. The single was released on 9th April, just in time for Earth Day – 22nd April.

‘Scared For The Climate?’ was originally geared up to be a reggae song but a friend of the flamboyant artist suggested turning the single into a raucous anthem to release all the pent up frustration about environmental disasters.

‘Scared For The Climate?’ turned out to be a post-punk pop delirium of the Noughties, which invites the prospective listener to, not only to release all the pent up frustrations, but to lose themselves in the moment with an instantly addictive bass line. While Love, Builder of Worlds begs the question, “Can I be scared, for the climate?” this isn’t an attempt to elicit fear, but to garner interest in the climate.

Love, Builder of Worlds is a multidisciplinary anti-binary person who uses all and any pronouns, because – in her/their words – really and truly, why not! She/they are part of Olólùfè Collective, which provides an outlet for a group of disabled artists to air today’s issues through poetry, fiction, visual art and music, with the latter proven to be the greatest outlet for their sentiments on the rollercoaster that is climate change.

To continue to use their greatest outlet to air their concerns, Love, Builder of Worlds will be performing the single at Ignite: Burden Re-Telling, an online event on 26th April.

‘Scared For The Climate? is out now on Apple Music, Bandcamp, Tidal and Audiomack just in time for Earth Day, 22nd  April.

Connect with Love, Builder Of Worlds via:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lovebuilderofworlds
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveBuilderofWorlds

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