Music Review | 6th March 2026
Irish alt-rock risers Kampala are back with their new single, ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’, straight from their debut album, Madernity.
Their first LP, Madernity, is a live-wired soundtrack to the modern condition – capturing the strange psychological climate of the 2020s: digital overload, fractured attention spans, political noise and the slow erosion of genuine connection. It’s a record that asks what intimacy, identity and communication even mean in a world shaped by algorithms and sound bites.
‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ explores the liberating moment of recognising toxicity in a relationship. It’s personal but universal – a sharp emotional counterpoint to the album’s commentary.
“The chorus hook was irresistible. As soon as we heard it, we knew it had to be on the record,” said Kampala.
Formed by Rob McDonnell (vocals/guitar) alongside Baz Daly (bass) and Justin Capocci (drums), with former Keeley guitarist Dan Kane later completing the lineup, Kampala have quietly built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most compelling underground guitar bands.
https://www.thebeat.ie/kampala-single-release-orangutan.php
Alt-rockers, Kampala, return with latest single
Music Review | 17th Oct, 2025 Kampala
Dublin/Kildare-based four-piece Kampala are carving out their place in the alt-rock scene with a sound that hits that sweet spot between melodic indie hooks and aggressive, beat-heavy energy. Think post-punk meets new wave, with a splash of grunge and classic alt-rock attitude, all mixed into something that feels totally their own.
Over the past few years, Kampala have built up a solid rep for their explosive live shows, earning plenty of love on the local gig circuit. 2025 marked a big milestone for the band as they hit the studio to work on their debut album, which kicked off with the release of their first single, “Fifteen Seconds”.
Now, they’re back with the follow-up, Orangutan.
The track kicks off with picked guitars and steady percussion before erupting into a heavier, riff-driven groove. It’s a proper guitar anthem, balancing raw power with tight, crunching rhythms that pull you right in.
Lyrically, the track takes a sharp look at the chaos of modern politics, calling out how world leaders often seem more interested in the circus than in actual leadership. The metaphor is clear, the world’s turning into a zoo, and the apes are running the show.
Like the rest of their upcoming album, “Orangutan” was self-produced and recorded live in the band’s Ballymount rehearsal room, giving it that raw, authentic edge. The final mix was handled by Diarmuid Breathnach, bringing everything together into a track that feels both polished and alive.
https://www.hotpress.com/music/new-irish-songs-to-hear-this-week-230-23112983
New Irish Songs to Hear This Week
Music Review | 17th Oct, 2025 Kampala
Kampala, Orangutan
The follow-up to May’s ‘Fifteen Seconds’ (a song about the problems with the modern world’s attention span), ‘Orangutan’ looks at the state of partisan politics in the world and how our elected leaders regularly fall short of any sort of meaningful leadership and effectively are making the world more a zoo led by the apes every day.
Like the rest of Kampala’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Orangutan’ was self-produced and recorded live at the band’s rehearsal room in Ballymount in Dublin. And mixed by Diarmuid Breathnach
Kampala are a 4-piece alternative rock band from Dublin and Kildare. There are echoes of Depeche Mode, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, and Suede in the band’s music, which draws inspiration from decades of iconic sounds.
https://puremzine.com/kampala-release-new-single-orangutan/
Ireland’s alt-rock band Kampala are back with ‘Orangutan’, a snarling, groove-heavy anthem that takes a swing at the chaos of modern politics. Hailing from Dublin and Kildare, the four-piece, Rob McDonnell (vocals/guitar), Baz Daly (bass), Justin Capocci (drums) and Dan Kane (guitar/vocals), sound like they’ve bottled frustration and turned it into feedback.
If their May single ‘Fifteen Seconds’ called out our goldfish attention spans, ‘Orangutan’ turns the lens on those in power, the so-called leaders running the world “like a zoo led by apes.” It is social fury delivered through biting riffs and pounding rhythm, the kind of song that makes you clench your fists and shout along.
Recorded live in their Ballymount rehearsal room and mixed by Diarmuid Breathnach, ‘Orangutan’ has all the sweat and spit of a gig, no polish, just pulse. The guitars bite, the bass growls, and McDonnell’s voice cuts through like a warning siren.
Kampala wear their influences proudly, a mix of The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Joy Division, and Fontaines D.C., yet they’ve got their own snarling identity. It’s indie rock with scars, mixing melody with menace.
Since hitting stages across Ireland and Germany in 2022, the band have earned a reputation for live shows that hit hard and leave bruises. And with a debut album set for 2025, twelve tracks deep, ‘Orangutan’ is the sound of a band sharpening their teeth.
Kampala aren’t here to play nice. They’re here to make noise, ask questions, and set the zoo on fire.
https://imro.ie/news/kampala-set-to-unleash-captivating-new-single-orangutan/
Kampala Set To Unleash New Single ‘Orangutan’
Kampala are a 4 piece alternative rock band from Dublin and Kildare, Ireland. Formed by Rob McDonnell (vox, guitar) with Baz Daly (bass) and Justin Capocci (drums), before finally adding former Keeley guitarist Dan Kane (guitar/vox), they are more than sum of their parts. Bringing their own blend of a mixture of melodic and aggressive beat-heavy indie rock. It feels new but with mileage, hooky but with complexity.
Drawing inspiration from several decades of iconic sounds, the band’s music carries echoes of Depeche Mode, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Suede, Seattle Grunge, Johnny Marr, Joy Division, Gang of Four, DIIV, Interpol, Foals, among others. In more recent times, the band have also been influenced by contemporary artists such as Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, NewDad, The Twilight Sad, Osees, Lo Moon, The War On Drugs, Deep Sea Diver to name but a few.
The band in full flow is earning a name for their electrifying live performances, seamlessly blending a powerhouse rhythm section with bold guitar work and commanding vocals. Playing regular shows and festivals in Ireland and Germany since 2022, Kampala have honed a dynamic and self-assured energy in each performance.
2025 sees the band going into the studio to record a debut full-length offering, with a dozen songs in the pipeline. The lead single for the upcoming album is ‘Fifteen Seconds‘, is out now.
See you at the next show! Agus bígí linn ar an eachtra.
Orangutan
The follow up to May’s ‘Fifteen Seconds’ (a song about the problems with the modern world’s attention span, ‘Orangutan‘ (October 17th) – looks at the state of partisan politics in the world and how our elected leaders regularly fall short of any sort of meaningful leadership and effectively are making the world more a zoo led by the apes every day.
Like the rest of Kampala’s forthcoming debut album ‘Orangutan‘ was self produced and recorded live at the band’s rehearsal room in Ballymount in Dublin. And mixed by Diarmuid Breathnach.
Ireland’s Kampala takes a dive into the power of beauty pitted against the chaos it creates on their heavy rock anthem ‘Heathen’.
‘Heathen’ features blackened imagery and rich guitars. Blasting with its riff-laden melodic sound. It abounds with heartfelt emotion as it channels the frustration at how those that are beautiful can also be destructive and cause so much suffering. As if they’re using their beauty as a bargaining tool, a way to lure people into believing there more than they are. The idea of a silk-wrapped razor blade or a smiling assassin.
The vocals are stunning, raw, and somewhat sinister, with a nervous energy perfectly encompassing the track’s anguish and uncertainty. The groove running throughout is captivating.
‘Heathen’ is a piece of clever, relatable songwriting while musically, it’s a blast of unapologetic heavy rock. In short, it’s a banger!