Every year, the Choice Music Prize Awards showcase the best that Irish music has had to offer that year, and this year is no exception

All Tvvins – IIVV (Warner Music UK)

A subject of a previous post on this blog, All Tvvins had been gradually building a strong following in Ireland for a few years before eventually releasing this offering. The wait was well worth it as what would result was a collection of catchy, rift-driven pieces destined to feature in many the party playlist from now on.

Wallis Bird – Home (Mount Silver Records)

Another one of Ireland’s hardest working song/writers over the last ten years, Home is another wonderfully accomplished and endlessly interesting collection of songs by the Wexford songstress.

The Divine Comedy – Foreverland (Divine Comedy Records)

One of the greatest songwriters to ever come out of this small island, Neil Hannon continues to show no signs of slowing down and his most recent LP, Foreverland, is further testament to his abilities.

Lisa Hannigan – At Swim (Pias)

Lisa Hannigan‘s most recent LP is another collection of the beautifully crafted and delicate pieces of music that we have come to expect from the Meath woman up to now. Produced and recorded in New York with the help of Aaron Dessner of The National, At Swim is another reminder of why Hannigan is one of the most respected names in Irish music.

Katie Kim – Salt (Salt Records)

Dark, atmospheric, and broody, Katie Kim‘s third album creates a captivating audio landscape for the listener to move through. An album that stands up to multiple listens and promises something different every time.

James Vincent McMorrow – We Move (Faction Records)

James Vincent McMorrow said before the release of the We Move LP that this was the album where he was going to move away from the sound of his previous releases to better encompass his own musical interests. The result was an album that saw the Dublin man look at different sounds, effects, and demonstrate a more varied style of writing.

Bantum – Move (Self-Released)

Arguably the most experimental or non-mainstream entry on the list, but with Move, Ruairí Lynch has produced a collection of seven tracks that could not be ignored. Featuring a stellar selection of artists on a variety of tracks, including: CC Brez, Farah Elle, Loah, and others, prepare to be captivated.

Overhead, The Albatross – Learning to Growl (Self Released)

One of my surprise highlights at Indiependence over the summer, Overhead, The Albatross have developed a reputation as being one of the most interesting and enthralling live bands in Irish music at the moment, and on Learning to Growl we hear all that intrigue and intricate instrumentation at its finest. A must listen for any music fans.

Rusangano Family – Let The Dead Bury The Dead (Self Released)

In recent times, the amount of high quality hip-hop that has started coming from Ireland has been extremely encouraging and one of the primary leaders of this movement has been Rusangano Family. The Limerick based three piece trade in intense and intelligent raps over a steady and interesting beat, and the result is the outstanding Let The Dead Bury The Dead.

We Cut Corners – The Cadences of Others (The Delphi Label)

Another band who have been the subject of a post on this site previously, We Cut Corners are a band who seem to grow with every album that they release. The Cadences of Others is another example of their willingness to experiment with their sound through every record.

Talos – Wild Alee (Feel Good Lost)

Wild Alee is the debut LP by French musician and producer, Eoin French. The album is an atmospheric and ethereal exploration of the human brain, and rarely has such an exploration sounded as beautiful.

Best of luck to all the nominees tonight.

MK