Born on July 5: Róisín Murphy, the Irish pop alchemist

She was born in 1973 in Arklow, County Wicklow, but there is no trace of Ireland’s rich musical heritage in her music.

Róisín moved to England with her family at the age of twelve. Three years later, her parents returned to Ireland, but she chose to stay and didn't really listen to The Chieftains, Van Morrison, or The Pogues. In Manchester, where she settled, she took as much pleasure in rummaging through thrift stores as she did in discovering alternative rock and, above all, trip-hop, which was just beginning to emerge.

Her career took off in the 1990s when she met Mark Brydon, with whom she formed the duo Moloko. Their blend of trip-hop and funk proved spellbinding. Still frequently remixed by today’s producers, we recommend the irresistible seven minutes of “Forever Now,” “Fun For Me,” or the Soulfood Remix of their biggest hit, “The Time Is Now.” 

Moloko (“milk” in Russian) also has the distinction of teaching us a new word in Pushkin’s language, following “Korova” (“cow”), the name of Echo & The Bunnymen’s micro-label in the early ’80s. Between 1995 and 2003, Moloko released just four albums, some of whose tracks remain timeless classics: “Do You Like My Tight Weaver?” (1995) and “Things To Make And Do” (2000), for example. On their career compilation "Catalogue" (2006), there’s a previously unreleased track that likely reflects the state of mind of the two bandmates during the final months of their collaboration: “Bankrupt Emotionally.” Although they reunited shortly afterward for a few acoustic performances, Róisín has always made it clear that a full-fledged reunion seemed out of the question to her. It must be said that her own career keeps her busy full-time and brings her one success after another.

Since "Ruby Blue" (2005), her solo career has been marked by a constant exploration of electronic music. Hints of disco and even jazz can also be detected in certain choruses. Co-written and co-produced with experimental musician Matthew Herbert, “Ruby Blue” stands out distinctly from Moloko’s repertoire. Her second album, “Overpowered” (2007), takes on an electro-disco vibe. The title track, “Let Me Know,” and “You Know Me Better” shine with a special brilliance under the disco ball. An eight-year hiatus allowed her to meet Italian producer Sebastiano Properzi and settle permanently in Ibiza. Meeting the father of her second child undoubtedly inspired her to record “Mi Senti,” a delightful EP entirely in Italian, in late 2014. Her cover of Lucio Battisti’s “Ancora” is simply superb.

An obvious tribute to Grace Jones (one of her idols) and to a deliberately dark brand of disco, “Hairless Toys” (2015) proves that the singer has lost none of her relevance or innovative spirit. The albums then followed one after another at a faster pace: “Take Her Up To Monto” (2016) and then “Róisín Machine” (2020), often considered the ideal gateway into her world. 

In 2023, she signed with the legendary label Ninja Tune and released “Hit Parade,” a somewhat disorienting sixth album produced by German DJ Koze. She herself describes it as “a joyful record,” but there’s a hint of irony in that statement. Since music is also a family affair for the Murphys, it’s her daughter Cloodagh who chirps alongside her on “Fader.”

We won’t attempt to explain her comments from 2023 and 2026 regarding gender transition and the rights of the trans community. Everyone can form their own opinion. The singer may have learned the hard way that, in the age of all-powerful social media, it’s sometimes wise to think twice before speaking out publicly. 

Photo: Róisín Murphy on stage at the Cirque Royal in Brussels (Belgium) on March 16, 2024