The first record from Nealo’s debut album, Lianne La Havas’ sun-kissed effort and one of the best projects to come out of Ireland this year.

There’s so much music dropping every week and so much fanfare around releases that it’s becoming increasingly harder to cut through the noise.

With that in mind, we’ve made your life that little bit easier by curating the best releases of the week so far.

From underground, indie anthems emanating from rural Ireland to trans-Atlantic collaborations and the return of Ireland’s prodigal son, this week’s roundup is red hot.

God Knows – We Move The Needle

Following the release of ‘Who’s Asking? EP Vol. 1’ God Knows has shared a visceral new cut that enlists the help of MuRli and Bony to take charge of the narrative.

The video for the track was filmed by Steve Hall in Cork just last week. It will be available exclusively on Bandcamp to people who purchase ‘We Move The Needle’.

“I wanted to give the people who love and support my music a little bit more,” says God Knows. “The essence of hip-hop was there with ‘We Move The Needle’ as a result of the art made by the lads in Cork as a response to what’s going on in the world. They made art and I happened to be in Cork that day with my people and we did the video – so everything with this record is in real-time. We don’t react. We move in real time.”

Gemma Dunleavy – UP DE FLATS

‘Up De Flats’ is a vibrant response to the misguided characterisations of the bubbling community that Gemma emerged from and a love letter to its unmatched spirit.

One of the best projects to come out of Ireland this year.

Rejjie Snow – Cookie Chips Feat. MF DOOM & Cam O’bi

Ireland’s prodigal son made his long-awaited return this week. ‘Cookie Chips’ sees Rejjie Snow recruit childhood hero MF DOOM for a verse on a soft, summer head-nodder.

A dream come true for the kid from Dublin with a DOOM tattoo.

Mac Wetha – Blur

Mac Wetha has a penchant for collaborative efforts, illustrated by his ‘Mac Wetha & Friends’ project that featured the likes of Biig Piig, Puma Blue and Lava La Rue. However, the NiNE8 Collective member has moved front and centre this time with his second solo single ‘Blur’.

It’s a nostalgia-tinged effort that pieces together challenging emotions and memories into a beautiful patchwork quilt.

Nealo – You Can’t Go Home Again Feat. Uly

Put simply ‘You Can’t Go Home Again’ is veteran artist Nealo‘s best song to date.

Adam Garrett’s pensive production coupled with Uly‘s tender vocals captures the pensive allure of the deep night sky, while Nealo meditates over lost relationships dropping words into the ether, knowing things may never be the same again.

The first single tees up the themes that will likely prevail in his debut album – emigration, hometown love and transformation.

Lianne La Havas – Lianne La Havas

Sun-kissed, soul-cleansing vibrations are on the menu this weekend.

With the weather looking A1 this weekend, there’s no better album to unwind to than the south Londoner’s self-titled record.

Blond Model – Heroin Honey

A moody anthem that captures the drawl of the strangest summer in recent memory.

Understated pop ambience from the Dublin pairing.

JPEGMAFIA – ROUGH 7 Feat. Tommy Genesis.

Another in a series of loose releases from Baltimore’s adopted son JPEGMAFIA.

Arthur Valentine – Fruit Juice

Sitting somewhere between Dominic Fike, Choker and Clairo, Arthur Valentine is ensuring all is not lost this summer.

‘Fruit Juice’ is that song to play as you escape the city for brighter skies this year.

Certified grooved from the Hausu artist.

Gaff – Last Night

Rural Ireland is showing up the rest of the country when it comes to forward-facing music.

None more so than teenage sensation Gaff, who has predictably drawn comparisons to Bakar with his woozy brand of indie ballads.

Watch this space.

Photography: Bobby Zithelo