Irish band Basht crash the Top Ten with debut album

Emerging from Dublin’s vibrant music scene, the band Basht has made a notable impact with the release of their first full-length album, Poor Advice. Since their formation in 2021, this four-piece post-punk group has steadily built momentum, culminating in their debut entering the Irish Top Ten albums chart at number seven. The record also claimed the top spot on the Independent Irish albums chart, signaling impressive recognition within the national independent music community.

Basht consists of Jack Leavey on vocals and guitar, Lughaidh Armstrong Mayock handling lead guitar duties, Ryan McClelland on drums, and Louis Christle playing bass. Prior to their album, the band introduced themselves through two EPs—Dirty White Lies in 2024 followed by Bitter and Twisted in 2025. These releases helped lay the groundwork for their growing fanbase and facilitated a UK headline tour alongside support slots for acts including Wunderhorse, DEADLETTER, Everything Everything, and Miles Kane.

Poor Advice presents a cohesive thematic exploration, with the band confronting topics such as institutional power, the lasting influence of the Catholic Church in Ireland, and the reach of the military-industrial complex. The album’s ten tracks serve as a conceptual statement, demonstrating Basht’s ambition to engage with complex social and historical issues through their music.

The band’s rising profile was further underscored by their scheduled headline performance at Dublin’s Button Factory on November 7, 2026—a venue charged with personal significance for lead singer Jack Leavey. His father previously managed the site when it operated as the Temple Bar Music Centre, linking the band’s current success with familial and local musical heritage.

Basht’s entry into the Irish Top Ten coincides with other Irish artists making strong chart debuts. Former Saint Sister vocalist Morgana reached number eight with her album The Whole Thing Was Very Emotional, while Waterford’s The Wran secured the tenth spot with their release The Stone Man. These chart positions highlight a broader wave of Irish talent gaining traction in the national music landscape.

Across the Irish Top Ten albums chart for the week of October 16, 2026, international artists maintain dominance with Olivia Rodrigo’s You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love holding the number one position. Other established names like Noah Kahan, Michael Jackson, Olivia Dean, and Fleetwood Mac continue to feature prominently, reflecting a blend of legacy and contemporary appeal.

Meanwhile, the singles chart remains steady, with ASHE’s Stop the Wedding! retaining the top spot for a second consecutive week. This stability in singles contrasts with the notable movement seen in the albums rankings, where fresh Irish acts like Basht are emerging.

While Basht’s accolades are significant, details about their upcoming projects and further tour plans remain limited. However, their swift ascent from local EP releases to a charting debut album suggests a band poised for continued growth within both the Irish and UK music markets. Basht’s blend of post-punk sensibilities with topical lyricism marks them as a distinctive voice amid Ireland’s current music renaissance.