New Irish albums reviewed and rated: Paddy Hanna, Lullahush, Cushla, Maria Somerville and Danny Groenland

Paddy Hanna: Oylegate (Strange Brew) ★★★★☆

Paddy Hanna has been a critics’ darling for years. Oylegate, his fifth album, may not help him cross the line to commercial success, but if there is some contentment in writing songs that make the weight of the world less burdensome, then he has achieved that, at least. Produced by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band, the album features silky-smooth alt.pop/rock – which is strikingly ironic given that the songs’ lyrics are influenced by “the crushing lows and euphoric highs of parenthood” and “by an artist embracing change rather than fighting it”, as Hanna puts it in the album notes.

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