New Music: BRIARS – Qualms

Cork-based BRIARS may bring together some disparate musical influences on new single Qualms, but it has to be said that they do so in an electrifying and emotive fashion.

The alt-folk outfit – based around a core of the band’s two main writers Mick Grace and Paul O’Shea – bring elements of post-punk and baroque pop into the mix on Qualms. Not the kind of genres I’ve ever come across before in such a smooth fusion of sounds and styles.

It works surprisingly well with the folk flow of the track, as the brooding bassline and energetic strings heighten the raw power of the vocals and lyrics. Think Gurriers meets The Waterboys and you’ll get a feel for just some of what is going on in the lively alt-folk gem.

BRIARS play The Roundy in Cork later this month and Electric Picnic in August. For ticket details and other listening options for their music, check out the band on Instagram.

Header photo by Zé Bateira