Irish post-punk group M(h)aol is back with their second full-length album, Something Soft, set for release on May 16 via Merge Records. The band—Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, and Sean Nolan—continues to push boundaries with their sharp sound and bold storytelling. Along with the album announcement, M(h)aol has confirmed U.S. tour dates in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with a stop at SXSW Music Festival.
M(h)aol has earned a reputation for intense live shows, blending raw energy with a sense of community. Their 2023 SXSW performance led to a signing with Merge Records, which reissued their debut album, Attachment Styles, later that year. Since then, they have refined their approach, resulting in the urgent and confrontational sound of Something Soft. The album’s first singles, “Pursuit” and “Snare,” showcase Keane’s commanding vocals and tight interplay between drums and bass. “Snare” in particular takes aim at gender norms, pairing biting lyrics with a jagged groove.
The band’s debut album received widespread praise from The Guardian, NME, NPR, and Pitchfork, among others, establishing M(h)aol as a force within the underground punk scene. Their evolution into a core trio has only sharpened their perspective, allowing them to create music that feels both deeply personal and politically charged.
Something Soft carries that same fire. Despite its title, the record resists the idea of softness in both sound and message, tackling feminism, consumerism, and modern disconnection with unflinching honesty. Recorded by Hyland at Dublin’s Ailfionn Studio, the album brings more depth to the band’s sound while maintaining the direct, unfiltered approach that has defined their work. With Sarah Deegan of Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra joining on bass, the new songs hit with even greater impact.
M(h)aol’s music challenges expectations, both musically and thematically. Their ability to balance wit, fury, and sharp observation makes them one of the most exciting bands in today’s punk landscape. Something Soft promises to build on that foundation, delivering anthems that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant.
https://mhaol.bandcamp.com/album/something-soft
05.16 - London, UK @ George Tavern
05.18 - Brussels, BE @ Les Nuits Botanique
05.20 - London, UK @ Rough Trade East (In-Store performance)
05.28 -Belfast, IE @ The Black Box *
05.29 - Derry, IE @ Sandinos *
05.30 - Galway, IE @ Roisin Dubh *
05.31 - Limerick, IE @ Dolan’s Kasbah *
06.01 - Cork, IE @ Coughlan’s *
06.02 - Cork, IE @ Coughlan’s *
06.03 - Waterford, IE @ Luca’s Records and Decks *
06.04 - Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s *
06.13 - Rennes, FR @ Pies Pala Pop
06.14 - Paris, FR @ More Women on Stage
09.17 - Glasgow, UK @ Nice N Sleazy
09.18 - Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete's
09.19 - Birkenhead, UK @ Future Yard
09.20 - Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
09.23 - Southampton, UK @ Heartbreakers
09.24 - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana
09.25 - Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
09.26 - Birmingham, UK @ Hare & Hounds
09.27 - Manchester, UK @ SOUP
+ with Lambrini Girls
* Irish Tour with Cola and Junk Drawer