Still the scourge of the establishment after 2024’s debut LP Fine Art, a hugely entertaining second LP of punchy, slick, defiant Irish Gaelic rap by Belfast’s Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap, and beatmaker DJ Próvaí, with an expanded sound aided by innovative producer Dan Carey and an appearance by Kae Tempest. Acid house, trip-hop, dubstep are infused into their cheekily bouncing sound, packed with wit and wordplay, Irish pride, political rebelliousness, and plenty of mischievous craic. The craft of delivery, rhythm and verbal dexerity is still very impressive, whether or not understood by listeners. As for controversy, Mo Chara was alleged to have displayed a Hezbollah flag on stage at a London gig in November 2024, but his case was thrown out of court and the band deny any support of terrorism against civilians, and their support for the plight of the Palestinian state under Israel’s bombing campaign, and all forms of colonialism, remains unequivacable. The song Palestine includes an appearance by Ramallah-based rapper Fawzi and concludes “we won’t stop until everyone is free”. Big Bad Mo, but more powerfully, the Carnival darkly atmospheric (with echoes of Massive Attack) recreates Mo Chara’s much publicised trial and ends with the phrase “history will remember you pieces of shit and you’ll never be forgiven”. Liars Tale has pulsating synth sounds and pulls no punches on the prime minister. The title track is a standout, and further caustic British bashing comes on An Ra in which comes the caustic line: “very grateful for sharing your culture with us … Jimmy Savile and HP Sauce”. But beyond the braggadocio there’s a more depth and maturity to this release, candid expressions sense of mental health and drug problems expressed on Headcase and Cocaine Hill, driven by mournful guitar chords and an eerie chorus sung by Lankum’s Radie Peat. But perhaps best of all is a very moving Irish Goodbye, accompanied by a short film, a guest rap by Kae Tempest, in a song that’s really a very moving meditation on the suicide of Móglaí Bap’s mother. A remarkable album far deeper than tubthumping protest. Out on Heavenly Recordings.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new songs and albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: