{"id":971,"date":"2020-12-23T14:11:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T14:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/?post_type=feature&p=971"},"modified":"2021-03-08T14:11:02","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T14:11:02","slug":"irish-releases-of-2020","status":"publish","type":"music-features","link":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/music-features\/irish-releases-of-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish Releases of 2020"},"author":1,"template":"","tags":[],"category_post":[],"acf":{"intro_copy":"2020 has been a stellar year for Irish music releases. In a year tainted with uncertainty, artists from within these shores have channeled their creativity to produce some inspiring and much needed, feel-good content.","smudge":false,"section_news":[{"acf_fc_layout":"copy_image","image":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","image_orientation":"portrait","copy":"

Aim\u00e9e – Confession EP<\/b><\/h2>\n

Singer songwriter Aim\u00e9e released her debut EP, <\/span>Confession<\/span><\/i>, back in March. Featuring the 90s inspired power pop anthem <\/span>What My Mamma Gave Me <\/span><\/i>and the reflective electro pop track <\/span>Naked<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Confession <\/span><\/i>is a strikingly honest debut which sets Aim\u00e9e up wonderfully for 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"ac12wXb46xQ","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Ovie – One More Time<\/b><\/h2>\n

One More Time <\/span><\/i>is a R&B and dance single full of upbeat afrobeat influences from Naas\u2019 Ovie. Released in November, Ovie produced and directed the video and the track itself was co-written with producer Jay Pizzle. <\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"GfWGUdLz1Us","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Dermot Kennedy – Without Fear (Complete Edition)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dermot Kennedy has continued to take the world by storm in 2020. With the release of the <\/span>Complete Edition <\/span><\/i>of his stunning debut album <\/span>Without Fear<\/span><\/i>, Kennedy has broken records here at home as he has become the first Irish artist to have a number one in both the singles and albums chart at the same time for three consecutive weeks. Featuring the hit singles <\/span>Giants<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Moments Passed <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Outnumbered<\/span><\/i>, this record, packed full of moments of reflection and hope, has helped carry us through this year.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"Fi33qkv4Bjw","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Lyra – New Day \/ The Magic Of Christmas EP<\/b><\/h2>\n

In September, the Cork artist Lyra released her breathtaking re-imagined version of Jackie Lomax\u2019s 1969 track <\/span>New Day<\/span><\/i>. While the original is an organ fuelled rock and roll ballad, Lyra stripped the number down to its core and reinterpretted it as an epic orchestral anthem. Lyra\u2019s vocals are passionately powerful and the result is a strong, optimistic vision for a more positive future. Just in time for Christmas, Lyra also released <\/span>The Magic Of Christmas <\/span><\/i>EP at the end of November. Featuring one live and three studio tracks, the EP is a striking blend of Lyra\u2019s sublime vocals, grand piano and delicate string arrangements<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"dqMmAyljyi4","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Shane Codd – Get Out of My Head<\/b><\/h2>\n

Shane Codd, the Dublin born and now Cavan based producer, provided us all with a much needed uplifting deep house banger back in May. The track contains a euphoric vocal chop and piano line which could be right out of a 90\u2019s house classic and Codd\u2019s first major effort has been featured on BBC Radio 1\u2019s Party Anthems show.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"nszMPFWJrWk","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

The Academic – Acting My Age EP<\/b><\/h2>\n

In June 2020, indie rockers The Academic released their first EP consisting of new material since their debut in 2018. <\/span>Acting My Age <\/span><\/i>features six blissful tracks produced by Kaiser Chiefs\u2019 drummer Nick Hodgson. Blending pop rock vocals and guitars with catchy choruses that won\u2019t be out of place in any arena, The Academic have gone from strength to strength this year and we can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s next in store for the boys from Westmeath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"1pOfHYRiiQg","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Inhaler – When It Breaks \/ Falling In \/ We Have To Move On<\/b><\/h2>\n

Hailing from Dublin, the quartet Inhaler have released three singles packed full of energy throughout 2020. The lads have been busy writing, recording and releasing <\/span>When It Breaks<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Falling In <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>We Have To Move On <\/span><\/i>\u00a0and the tracks combine indie rock with dance pop synth lines seamlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"np2ABFYM1AI","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Picture This – Troublemaker \/ Unconditional \/ If I Build a Home On The Moon \/ Winona Ryder<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Kildare pop rock group Picture This have enjoyed a solid streak of confident singles throughout the year. <\/span>If I Build A Home On The Moon <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Winona Ryder <\/span><\/i>are both stunningly reflective and heartwarming and are balanced perfectly by the more upbeat and joyous singles <\/span>Troublemaker <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Unconditional<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"ySWx2dwNfNY","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Irish Women in Harmony<\/b><\/h2>\n

One of the most inspiring projects of the year has to have been the formation of Irish Women in Harmony, a group of some of Ireland\u2019s most talented and accomplished female artists who came together remotely in June to record a version of The Cranberries iconic hit <\/span>Dreams<\/span><\/i>. The project saw the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Imelda May, RuthAnne, Aim\u00e9e, Erica Cody, Pillow Queens and Caroline Corr (to name just a few!) collaborate in aid of Safe Ireland. The project then returned with an original Christmas song, <\/span>Together At Christmas<\/span><\/i> in support of Childline. A truly inspiring project to see so many incredible homegrown artists come together for such important causes!<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"ZI8eSPgK9Yg","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Imelda May – You Don\u2019t Get to be Irish and Racist<\/b><\/h2>\n

Hailing from the Liberties, Imelda May shot to fame for her high energy rockabilly, but these past few years we\u2019ve seen more jazz and soul influences in her work. One thing that hasn\u2019t changed is May\u2019s sensational way with words and this year, we saw the Dubliner release a series of poetry oriented works on her EP <\/span>Slip of the Tongue <\/span><\/i>as well as her incredibly powerful home performance of <\/span>You Don\u2019t Get to be Irish and Racist<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"qYluS5kLit0","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Niall Horan – Heartbreak Weather<\/b><\/h2>\n

Back in March, Mullingar native Niall Horan released his second studio album<\/span>, Heartbreak Weather<\/span><\/i>. The album is an uplifting collection of lush pop numbers and features the feel good hits <\/span>Black and White<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Nice To Meet Ya<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Put a Little Love On Me <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>No Judgement<\/span><\/i>. With an appearance on this years return of The Den, Horan has done a stellar job of bringing a bit of feel good into the homes of his Irish fans!<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"k7jeYJA9bgY","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

J090 – Music Is The Answer<\/b><\/h2>\n

Another feel good powerhouse of a track this year came in the form of J090\u2019s <\/span>Music Is The Answer<\/span><\/i>. The Dublin producer has reimagined the 1998 Celeda house track <\/span>Music Is The Answer (Dancin\u2019 and Prancin\u2019) <\/span><\/i>to create an updated deep house version with a rolling bassline, a driving beat and euphoric synth lines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"iV7eDDGHWw0","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"

Wild Youth – Next to You \/ Through the Phone<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dublin four-piece Wild Youth returned in 2020 to produce two synth pop gems. <\/span>Next to You <\/span><\/i>is based around a solid bass groove with floaty synth lines and a super catchy hook of a chorus. <\/span>Through the Phone <\/span><\/i>starts with a softer intro and verse and then builds to an equally epic chorus section.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"60T0kLA45xg","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""}],"block_type":"video-content","thumbnail_size":"height-3","mobile_image":{"ID":1015,"id":1015,"title":"Irish Artists 2020 - Aimee - Umusic - Universal Music Ireland","filename":"Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","filesize":169241,"url":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","link":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/music-features\/irish-releases-of-2020\/irish-artists-2020-aimee-umusic-universal-music-ireland\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"irish-artists-2020-aimee-umusic-universal-music-ireland","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":971,"date":"2021-02-04 16:07:13","modified":"2021-02-04 16:07:13","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":525,"medium_large-height":525,"large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","large-width":525,"large-height":525,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"twentyseventeen-featured-image":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland.jpg","twentyseventeen-featured-image-width":1000,"twentyseventeen-featured-image-height":1000,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Irish-Artists-2020-Aimee-Umusic-Universal-Music-Ireland-100x100.jpg","twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-width":100,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-height":100}},"video_id":"dqMmAyljyi4","display_tag":false,"related":false,"tag_color":"","meta_description":"2020 has been a stellar year for Irish music releases. 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