West Irish noise-punk group Nerves have unveiled their second EP, ‘Iarmhaireacht,’ produced by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band. The announcement is coupled with the release of its second single, “Takes A Second.”

Since their 2024 EP ‘Glórach,’ Nerves have rapidly built a formidable reputation for their uncompromising live shows. Now performing as a four-piece, the band’s sound has evolved in both confidence and dissonance. They’ve already sold out headline shows across Ireland and supported acts like The Jesus Lizard, Maruja, and HMLTD. Their April single, “Dirty Fingers,” garnered early praise from Kerrang!, The Line of Best Fit, Hot Press, and Louder Than War.

“Takes A Second” showcases the band’s knack for building tension. Drawing from both noise rock and electronic music, the track starts with looped guitar static, slowly escalating into a full-blown sonic collapse. Fox’s production skillfully bridges the minimal and the ferocious, capturing a growing sense of emotional unease within the track.

Of the single, vocalist Kyle Thornton explains

It’s the death knell of a romantic relationship – the acceptance that the bond now exists on borrowed time.

The band’s strong Irish identity is deeply woven into the project. This is evident from the Ogham script on the EP’s artwork and the traditional wren boys’ dress featured on the single covers, to the use of Irish language titles for sample interludes. This reclamation of culture is presented as an inclusive and politically conscious act, reflecting a left-wing resurgence in Irish cultural pride amidst contemporary nationalist currents.

Drawing inspiration from literary figures such as John Williams, Flann O’Brien, Albert Camus, and Samuel Beckett, the lyrics offer intimate, diary-like confessions. These gradually reveal their full context, adding narrative depth to the EP’s atmospheric soundscapes.

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