music
May 1, 2026
Add to playlist: the snarling Irish folk of Madra Salach and the week’s best new tracks
With a feral energy and a Liam Gallagher growl, the Dublin band’s beguiling music is a great evolution of a venerable genre
TL;DR
- Madra Salach, meaning "dirty dog" in Irish, delivers a "feral, snarling energy" to the Irish folk revival.
- Their sound is influenced by Lankum and Lisa O'Neill, with frontman Paul Banks possessing a powerful voice reminiscent of Liam Gallagher.
- The debut EP "It's a Hell of an Age" features dynamic builds, covers of "Spancil Hill" and "Murphy Can Never Go Home," and original songs like "Blue & Gold."
- Future live sets suggest an addition of "punkish antagonism and pace" to their sound.
- The article also reviews new tracks from Yu Su, Loathe, Hekt, Jura, Citizen, Ceebo, and Kalia Vandever, covering genres from techno and shoegaze to metalcore, emo, and jazz.