This week’s round-up of the best new music sees the Irish music scene return to full flight. The first major releases of the year are here courtesy of The Murder Capital with their second album ‘Gigi’s Revenge’ – read our take here  – and Ireland’s best poop star Biig Piig delivers her long-awaited Bubblegum mixtape featuring The Choice Music Prize nominated track Kerosene.

Meanwhile, The Academic get set for the release of their second album ‘Sitting Pretty’ next month with final single The Very Best, Also on the run-in to album 2 is Ailbhe Reddy who shares Last To Leave.  CMAT returns with stand-alone single Mayday and Nell Mescal delivers her second official single Homesick which she will perform on The Late Late Show tonight.

hip hop hotshot Sweetlemondae returns with Higher State featuring Jafaris ahead of what will surely be a breakthrough year for the young artist. Veterans Louise O’Neil and David Kitt share new tracks Silver Seeds and Wishing Well, while Craig Walker continues his busy period of collaborations, delivering Heaven with Last Chance.

The most surprising release of the week comes from Elm who have hooked up with international sensation Oliver Tree for Miss You. St. Francis Hotel make a welcome return with their first release in two years Driven Light, a dub laden track featuring Liam Bailey.

LA based songwriter Lenii drops the hyperpop vibes you’ve come to associate her with for the most plaintive song she’s released to date Crybaby. Also building yup to the release of their debut album are Somebody’s Child who have shared Hold Me Like You Wanna.

There’s also reworks of Two Door Cinema Club and Strabe as well as a host of electro/instrumental tracks from the likes of Bklave, R.L. Beats, Overhead, The Albatross and Chósta. And while the post-punk universe will be focused on The Murder Capital this week there are also tracks from New Pagans, Post-Party to enjoy.

and if that wasn’t enough to be contending with there’s also new releases from Arborist, 7th Obi, Robbie Strikland, A92, Boa Morte and interesting collabs from Ricky Jr and God Knows, Odd Numbers and Graham and Inventory and Irish fronted  Australian act Bonniesongs.

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