The Savage Hearts are a Cavan, Ireland-based rock band who have just come to my attention through the release of their latest double-A side.

By Graeme Smith

Gang War and Speed Kills are something of a one-two punch. Opening with the vibrant former, we are treated to an instant earworm melody underpinned by anarchic garage rock. It’s punk that feels both familiar yet entirely new, and I found myself instantly hooked.

Following is Speed Kills which ramps up the tempo even more during an adrenaline-fuelled white knuckle ride.

The Savage Hearts are headed up by former The Strypes drummer, Evan Walsh, who plays bass, keyboards and sings vocals. He’s joined by Darragh Muldoon on lead guitar and lead vocals, Terry Brady on harmonica, keyboard and vocals, Eugenio Collinassi on saxophone and trombone, Emil Kapusta on drums and percussion, and Becky Walsh on backing vocals. Gang War was co-written by Ste Kelly of Raglans and is released in collaboration with Blowtorch Records, a record label based in Galway. Speed Kills was co-written by Niall Walsh. Both tracks were mixed and mastered by Martin Quinn at JAM.

You can give both tracks a listen below.