THERE really must be something in the air within the Scottish music scene these days.

Between our fantastic female artists emerging with second-to-none singles and several releases from artists and bands that will perfectly form your sounds of the summer playlists — this week we are absolutely spoiled for selection.

 

Fleeces — Mean It Like I See It

The official side project of Josephine Sillars and Kieran Watson, Fleeces have made their debut onto the scene with Mean It Like You See It, sending the message that sometimes, just sometimes: “Things are exactly what they seem." 

One-line review: “Ethereal and edgy energy guided by an unchanging but nonetheless captivating dance beat — undeniably reminiscent of Primal Scream.”

FFO: Josephine Sillars, Radiohead, Primal Scream, Indoor Foxes, Beach House

 

Kodak Ghosts — Fine to be Frightened

Sharing a mutual love of the arts since high school, Erin and Sabrina’s optimistic pop act has caught the attention of much-loved Radio shows such as BBC Scotland. It was here that their Till the Morning Comes track gained the title of “Glorious Pop” and Fine to be Frightened adheres to this.

One-line review: “Exactly the kind of liberating reassurance that we need as we emerge from these dark times — Kodak Ghosts have struck gold with execution and timing.”

FFO: Eleanor Hickey, Pretty Preachers Club, Rachel Jack, Abigail Pryde

 

Declan Welsh and The Decadent West — Another One

Establishing themselves as a growing name within the Scottish music scene for a few years, Declan Welsh and The Decadent West are one of those bands who have grafted to earn the recognition that they so deserve as — what now can be regarded — a big name. Acquiring a large following for their alternative/indie sound, the band have surpassed a million plays on one of their tracks Absurd, and an incredibly impressive 49,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

One-line review: “If you aren’t already pulled in from the first thud of the drums and intoxicating chord progression, Declan will certainly have you addicted from his seducing, hypnotic vocals.”

FFO: Arctic Monkeys, The Pixies, Heavy Rapids, Pleasure Heads, The Snuts, Voodoos, The Lapelles

 

Calum Bowie — Time That I Can Borrow

Edinburgh-based but Aberdeen-born singer-songwriter, Calum Bowie, gives credit to the term "a rising star" because that’s exactly what he is… and so much more. You wouldn’t need a crystal ball to see that Calum’s musical future is not only bright but blinding. Having received airtime on BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio and a promising 1,800 monthly listeners on Spotify, he shows no signs of slowing down after the release of Time That I Can Borrow.

One-line review: “There are not many things that could make me want to go back to drinking in fields on summer nights but this track is in the same league as Gerry Cinnamon’s Sometimes, that holds the ability to really make me want to do exactly that.”

FFO: Gerry Cinnamon, Sam Fender, Connor Fyfe

 

Teague — Wild Card

This 22-year-old artist has emerged from Edinburgh with a unique blend of influences ranging from Machine Gun Kelly to The Cure. Teague used the initial lockdown as a time to work on his production skills and musical talent from his previous band Paradise Found, to create an original "emo trap" sound.

One-line review: “Caught in Teague’s trap and you won’t want to walk out.”

FFO: Sxlus Tempus, JORDAN, Washington, Out of the Swim

 

Retro Video Club — Cloud Nine

Hailing from Edinburgh, Retro Video Club are another one of those bands that have far surpassed the "rising star" title of the Scottish music scene. This quartet has established itself as a widely-regarded powerhouse of indie rock’n’roll smashers, fuelled by the admiration of an ever-growing, but already large, fanbase.

One-line review: “Headphones and a train journey — this is the exact scenario where this song will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and send those feel-good chills down your spine.”

FFO: The Killers, The Snuts, Twenty Four, Shambolics, Vida, Voodoos

 

Martin Leary — Eminence

Glasgow-based artist Martin Leary encapsulates all the sonic, unhinged power of a full band in a single being. Although falling under the label of indie and alternative rock, Leary never seems to stray far from the rock’n’roll roots, doing a great justice with the tools that the decades before us have provided him with.

One-line review: “Eminence is the modern-day equivalent to Across the Universe by the Beatles, only enhanced by instrumentation that explores the sound of both the 60s Kinks and 90s Oasis.”

FFO: The Kinks, Oasis, The Beatles, The Libertines, The Verve

 

Alex Thom — Wise Woman

Alex Thom has made her debut into the Scottish music scene with Wise Woman, a track that is beyond its time and an incredibly promising and impressive start to, what I predict, a budding and bold career. Thom has not just what it takes, but everything that it takes.

One-line review: “Everything — from the melodic synths, catchy chorus and surreal vocals — screams a potential electro-pop sensation, which warrants copious amounts of recognition and airtime.”

FFO: Pretty Preachers Club, Indoor Foxes, Josephine Sillars, Eleanor Hickey, Zara Larsson, Dua Lipa, Rachel Jack

 

Ruth Gillies — Wake Me Up Slowly

Ruth Gillies had an early start to her songwriting talent, penning songs from as young as 11. Now at 24, Gillies has honed her skill, bursting into the scene with promises of a flourishing musical career. What an incredible start with a stellar release like Wake Me Up Slowly.

One-line review: “Sending you spiraling through pink fluffy clouds, sparkling rainbows and warm sunlight, you’ll need to be brought back down to Earth after listening to the enchanting voice of Ruth Gillies.”

FFO: Eleanor Hickey, Rianne Downey, Lana Del Rey, Rachel Jack, Alex Thom, Pretty Preachers Club

 

wojtek the bear — one thing’s for certain

Forming in Glasgow in 2016, with a historically fascinating name but an even more fascinating sound, wojtek the bear are no strangers to publicity within the Scottish music scene. A reminder of the magnitude in subtleties, the power in softness and the refreshment in simplicity, wojtek the bear are respected from a range of European cities including Stockholm, Madrid and Copenhagen.

One-line review: “Staying true to their ever-jangly guitar sound, soft momentum and ability to make your blood pressure drop from the get go, one thing’s for certain and that’s that this is a must-have relaxing staple on your playlist for those warm summer nights.”

FFO: Mt. Doubt, The Ninth Wave, Teenage Fanclub, King Creosote

 

Alannah Moar — Middle of the Night

Moar is another artist whose talents shone through from a young age. After moving to Edinburgh in 2016, Moar has emerged into the Scottish music scene with a visceral, stunning and mature sound, ready and raring to rise.

One-line review: “With a flawless staccato chorus and haunting harmonies, nobody has ever made the middle of the night sound so compelling.”

FFO: Florence and the Machine, Indoor Foxes, Belle and Sebastian, Josephine Sillars, Fleeces, Ruth Gillies, Eleanor Hickey, Alex Thom

 

Linzi Clark — The Kitchen

Beginning a new chapter in her musical career after forming one half of electro-pop duo DRIFT, Linzi has started on the path of showcasing her own individuality and unique talents as an artist.

One-line review: “Why seek the comfort and warmth of coffee when you can be simultaneously warmed and soothed by the soulful, atmospheric vocals of Linzi Clark on The Kitchen?"

FFO: Kate Bush, Alannah Moar, Belle and Sebastian, Florence and the Machine, Josephine Sillars

 

Out of the Swim — Medieval Tummy

This Falkirk/Glasgow quartet describe themselves as a band who “write songs for folk who feel like they’re swimming against the current” according to is this music?, which is a statement credited by their emotionally-conflicting lyrics, and amalgamation of various genres and musical depth.

One-line review: “Faultless production, guttural vocals and a dark unearthly intensity — what a talent it is to create a visual atmosphere using the power of sound.”

FFO: Teague, Brandon Flowers, JORDAN

 

Becci Wallace — Swan Song

(to be released May 15)

Wallace has gained national recognition within the Scottish press after her most recent album Present Tense was named BBC Scotland’s Record of Note on the Roddy Hart show. There seems to be no sign of slowing down for Wallace’s musical career as she continues her momentum with her fourth track Swan Song from her Present Tense album.

One-line review: “Fuelled with passion and spellbinding gospel-like harmonies and vocals, Becci Wallace has delivered an enchanting, medieval-reminiscent ballad.”

FFO: Björk, Kate Rusby, Eddi Reader, Eva Cassidy