NEW MUSIC FRIDAY is back with a bang this week as the Scottish Music Scene.

Today marks a major milestone for The Weekender's New Music Friday column as maverick writer Ailsa Gillies takes the reins.

Check out her top picks for February 19:-

Cameo Habitat - Trace of Self
This alternative-indie band from Edinburgh prove that the genre has a rougher, dirtier side in this new single.

One-Line Review: "Heavy, dirty and raw — a head banging, foot-stomping single that explores a dirtier side to the alternative-indie genre and far from gentle caresses: this seduces."
FFO: MGMT, Black Polo, Twenty Four, The Snuts, Shambolics



White Novels - Over Again

Though other previously released singles from this quintet embody Indie-pop, their collective creativity beams through on this New Wave-reminiscent single.

One-Line Review: "80s Synth-Pop undertones, laced with a rock ’n’ roll energy."
FFO: Brandon Flowers, Depeche Mode, Post Ironic State, Bronski Beat

 

Rianne Downey - Fuel To The Flame
From acoustic covers of much-loved rock classics on her YouTube channel, Rianne’s debut single is an incredibly promising start to her own, independent musical career.

One-Line Review: "Captures a charming indie-folk vibe — almost like your ears are being guided through a fairytale land — enhanced by enchantingly-sweet vocals."
FFO: Birdy, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Vance Joy, Gabrielle Aplin, Josephine Sillars


Artesan - Lifesaver
This Falkirk-based band spanning different age-ranges proves to the industry how music is entirely both universal and uniting: It knows no age and that’s evident from this new single that features strong elements of 60s North American folk groups.

One-Line Review: "What starts as a soft, intimate journey of folk rock, soon turns fiery and passionate with the introduction of exceptional lead guitar interwoven with a soft, melodic acoustic, before ending on a haunting solo."
FFO: Neil Young, America, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Band


Josephine Sillars - California
Originally from the Highlands but gaining recognition from her musical presence in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Josephine’s new single juxtaposes the delicacy and beauty of Dream Pop with a dark reality in her lyrics in this new single.

One-Line Review: "Though you feel like you are California Dreamin’ from the dream-pop synth-feel, a break in this song halts you back down to Earth, or should we say "‘Mars", and it’s a dream no longer."
FFO: Rianne Downey, Melanie Martinez, Lana Del Rey


Martin Leary - Watch the Sun Burn Your Eyes
Glasgow man brings faith to the Rock and Roll world with this brand new, infectious single.

One-Line Review: "The Sun may burn our eyes but this song graces our ears with an original, catchy riff and lyrics that you’ll be singing all day — tried and tested."
FFO: Cameo Habitat, Twenty Four, The Snuts, Mike Clerk, Oasis, The DMAs, The Stone Roses


Kings Klub - Phase Me
Offering a totally different style to most in the Scottish Music Scene, Kings Klub have yet again released another upbeat, pop anthem. 

One-Line Review: "When you close your eyes, you can picture this song on MTV with its sensational vocals on a chorus that is built up by drum and bass to reach the ultimate, pop climax."
FFO: Chainsmokers, Years and Years, Calvin Harris, Lewis Capaldi


Mike Clerk - The Air in Here
Different from what the Fife-based artist has ever done before, this single strays far away from the dark and dangerous of previous singles…

One-Line Review: "Warm, fuzzy and mellow — like the feeling you get after drinking a glass of rosé… or a half of whiskey."
FFO: Chris Stapleton, Noel Gallagher, Stereophonics, Martin Leary, Richard Ashcroft, Victoria Sponge


Victoria Sponge - Talk About Tonight
This Alternative-Rock band with a variety of different influences ranging from Jazz to Punk showcase their robustness in this new single.

One-Line Review: "This is the type of song that you want to be headbanging to at a stage in Glasgow Green in the middle of the Summer and listening to Chris’ scream at the chorus—goosebumps."
FFO: The Snuts, Oasis, The Strokes, Twenty Four, Shambolics