Pebbledash - ‘Killer Lover / Carraig Aonair’ Review: Blending Irish tradition and shoegaze for a lush soundscape
Pebbledash are bringing Irish tradition to the forefront of shoe gaze and alt-rock.
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Credit: Pebbledash 📸
It’s no understatement to say some of the best artists are currently coming from Ireland. All it takes is a moment to see NewDad or Fontaines DC bouncing onto the scene to dizzying heights of stardom. Not to mention one of our favourites to watch, Basht. Pebbledash also hails from Ireland, in particular Cork.
Soaking up the inspiration of their iconic music scene, the six-piece blends shoegaze and alt-rock to craft a dreamy soundscape. On 22nd August, the band released their second single of 2024 Killer Lover, with b-side Carraig Aonair.
Influenced by Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and The Altered Hours, the double-single leaves a lasting impact long after your initial listen.
Killer Lover came from simultaneously conflicted emotions around loving and hating a place. There’s a distinct similarity with the likes of Radiohead with how the track builds, starting with a simplistic riff alongside soothing lyricism.
Of the two singles, Killer Lover leans more so into their rock roots. Where it stands out is with their ability to create a tangible atmosphere through music; which includes multiple vocals and each member of the band playing their role effortlessly.
Whereas, Carraig Aonair is an ode to a classic Celtic folk band from the 80’s. There’s a heavier tone, tackling difficult themes of grief and loss. Where this single shines is with the sheer abundance of Irish heritage crammed into less than six minutes. This kind of music is called Sean-nós and is usually performed in the Irish language. Using gentle vocals and an eerily sinister drone throughout, the track evokes powerful emotion before erupting for a theatrical finale.
As the full band swoops in, it feels as if the skies are collapsing. Or more optimistically a new day is dawning through the pain. You can almost feel the despair through every crying moment, and the cold of the streets rushing towards you. Subtle touches like the sound of cars whizzing by at the final breath also add a layer of grit. Carraig Aonair is beautiful in every way, it could be described as perfectly raw.
As the Summer draws to a close, music like this is a golden saviour for the inevitable darker days that await on the horizon. Pebbledash may be onto something - bringing Irish tradition to the forefront of several gorgeous genres.
Pebbledash are preparing for a huge debut EP later in the year, which is set to introduce the world to its ethereal guitar noise and traditional Irish roots in a cohesive body of music.
Now, it’s your turn. Give it a spin, and tell us what you think on Insta or X.
Rating: 7/10
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