There’s been much written about Dublin’s music scene, spawning rock veterans like Thin Lizzy and loud experimentalists like Gilla Band in equal measure. About an hour north, however, lies Dundalk, where the members of Just Mustard put their overlap of noise rock, trip-hop, and electronic to sublime use. “You get to know everyone pretty quickly because it’s so small,” guitarist/vocalist David Noonan said of their hometown scene in 2019, a year after the release of their debut album, Wednesday, via local independent label Pizza Pizza Records. “If you’re playing a certain type of music, there’s only certain local venues you can play, so you end up on bills with people from all over the country. It’s great.” They quickly made their mark locally at Spirit Store before getting tapped to play bigger venues alongside the Cure, Wolf Alice, and Fontaines D.C., but they still revisit the spaces where they honed their chops.
Read more: Fontaines D.C.: New theories of romance
Tomorrow, the five-piece return with their third album, WE WERE JUST HERE, which casts their signature elements — warped riffs, layered synths, a booming low end — in a warmer glow. It’s not unlike the Cure’s evolution from blackened post-punk to euphoric arena hits, who they’ll rejoin on tour in the summer across the U.K. Ahead of the LP release and 2026 headlining tour, the band opened up about the best Irish bands doing it right now, many of whom share their love for laying down textured moodiness.
RÓIS
RÓIS’ newest release, MO LÉAN, is masterful, seamlessly weaving old Irish tradition with mournful synths, drone soundscapes, and her arrestingly powerful singing leading the way. If her live performances are anything to go by, though, she is just as capable of whipping out dance-floor bangers alongside the funereal dirges. Another incredible artist with an exciting contemporary take on Irish folk alongside the likes of Lankum. —Shane Maguire
Junior Brother
A good friend of ours who never ceases to amaze with his expansive and continuing reinvention of folk. His songs can lie anywhere between poetic pastoral ballads and prog-rock-like epics. His newest album, The End, has perhaps his most madcap arrangements alongside the most extensive instrumentation in a JB release. My own personal highlight is seeing him and his band perform the 20-minute epic “Junior Brother’s Favourite” live. —Shane Maguire
The Altered Hours
My favorite live band in the country. Seeing them live is like being pulled into and smashed by a wave of rock and mostly roll. New album coming out in November is beautiful — “Lay There With You” is an instant classic and one of those very rare songs that feels like it has always existed. —David Noonan
Makeshift Art Bar
I saw this band recently, and it was so exciting. I couldn’t guess where they would take a song when it started — the dynamics in their songs were so good. To me, they sounded like if Underworld and Nirvana met somewhere in the middle but like the “Endless, Nameless” version of Nirvana, if that makes sense. They have something very cool, and I can’t wait to hear them again —Katie Ball
Maria Somerville
Heavy, meditative, contemplative, soft memory music that feels instantly relatable but also deeply personal to the artist. Perfect late-night music, whether you’re driving in rural Ireland or walking through town. —David Noonan
Stratford Rise
A very impressive outfit of young lads based out of Belfast, plying their own brand of erratic noise rock. On first impression, one may hear and see loose similarities to early black midi, but they certainly have a more visceral sonic assault to my ears. Yet another band that excels in a live context. —Shane Maguire
Cruel Sister
A very talented producer/songwriter. We’ve all loved her music from the first songs released. Their new EP, A CORPSE IS TALKING, is brilliant, and I’m very excited for more Cruel Sister in the future. —David Noonan
One Leg One Eye
A noise/drone project headed by Ian Lynch of Lankum that is imbued with Irish history. I am a huge fan of Lankum and any other adjacent projects containing their members (also definitely check out ØXN), but One Leg One Eye is a particularly unique proposition. There is even a hint of black-metal influence, particularly on the opening track of the single release so far, …And Take The Black Worm With Me. I must have listened to the album at least four times when recently driving to Achill Island off the West Coast of Ireland, convincing me that there was a powerful ancient energy seeping out of the rugged Irish landscapes. —Shane Maguire
Elaine Malone
Elaine’s songwriting and voice are incredible and backed by her psychedelic band full of elbows and angular turns — they create a glorious sweeping cacophony of sound. —David Noonan
Coolgirl
A recent discovery for me from late-night Irish radio. An electronic project from Lizzie Fitzpatrick, who used to front hard-rock band Bitch Falcon. I absolutely love Road Closures, an ambient-ish release steeped in moody, woozy pads with hints of those Boards of Canada cool colors while altogether feeling cinematic. —Shane Maguire
