Tag: Northern Ireland

Posted on

ROE “Christmas Once Again” (2024)

Self Released
Buy: Juno (WAV/FLAC/MP3) | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3

ROE is an alt-pop weirdo from Northern Ireland and her wonderful first step into the world of alt-xmas has me feeling some great 90s vibes. I’m struggling to find the touchpoint I want – it nearly comes to me, then I lose it. Perhaps one of my five readers (I love you all!) will be able to pin it down… anyway, let’s focus. I love the vocal melody – it moves all over, with these changes of pace that are just damn pleasing. It is explicitly a Christmas song but doesn’t fall into any of those trite, predictable Christmas buckets that I hear so, so very often. Give it a listen, won’t you?

Bottom Line: From one weirdo (me) to another (you, the reader), you should listen to this weirdo.

LISTEN

Posted on

Neil Brogan & Band “Our First Christmas” (2023)

Brogan Records
Buy: Bandcamp

I’m curious… can we consider this whole Neil Brogan writing a fantastic Christmas song a tradition? No pressure, Neil, but I’m in favor of this. After last year’s stone-cold classic, “christmas with a small c,” Neil returns with the touching “Our First Christmas.” The song is a touching stroll through that special feeling you have towards the first Christmas with a loved one. Neil’s voice is really the selling point of this song, soft and emotive – that “ya know” he sings, somehow makes this song feel more deeply personal than a song usually can – like someone is talking just to you. Simple and beautiful.

Bottom Line: Following up one of my favorite songs of the past 5 years was a tough bar to clear, but Neil decided to stroll around it with a lovely, wholly different, and touching song.

LISTEN

Posted on

Neil Brogan “Christmas (with a small c)” (2022)

Brogan Records
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

I have to tell you… I feel like my mix is the most boring mix for you all when it finally comes out, as I’ve been tipping my hand for a month, and now a whole bunch of you already have these songs on your own mixes. I just have to take comfort in the fact that 99% of those folks who I hand/send one to have not heard a single one… when I do release it, let’s just pretend you’re hearing them for the first time…

THAT SAID, here is another stone-cold mix-worthy song. Sea Pinks (on hiatus?) frontman Neil Brogan has been releasing holiday songs (sometimes hidden on full records) for a few years now and this year gathered them up onto one release, Christmas EP. Three previously-released tracks and one, brand-new-fucking-fantabulous song, “Christmas (with a small c).” Jangly and clever, this track has relaxed vocals and indie rock guitars that, in tandem, make my eyes widen and burst with excitement. This is the vibe I need right now…

Bottom Line: Indie rock Christmas to the rescue.

LISTEN