ANOTHER Friday means another week closer to seeing your favourite artists live again.
If the lockdown blues have been getting on top of you, then you can always depend on the Scottish Music Scene to lift your spirits and get you prepared for a promising music-packed year with some fantastic new releases.
Tom McGuire & the Brassholes - Super Solid Soul Vehicle
This eight-piece soul/funk band bring vibrancy and exuberance to the Scottish Music Scene in this new groovy single.
One-line review: “This single is like turning the vibrancy, saturation and funk up on a Sly and the Family Stone track— call and response, groovy bass and incredible use of brass instrumentation.”
FFO: CeeLo Green, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Sly and the Family Stone, Chic
JORDAN - Promised Land
Edinburgh-based artist, JORDAN, is not short of beautifully individual downtempo, ambient pop tracks and his newly released EP Echoes: Volume One is a credit to that where this brand new track features.
One-line review: “Delicate and emotive, the melody of this track is melancholy without being complex; soft, simple and ambient to the ear yet the use of auto-tuned vocals contrastingly composite.”
FFO: Wrest, Aphex Twin, Gefahrgeist, Meursault, Foreignfox
Anthony McElwee - Moonshine
After his time in Indie Rock Band The Medicine Priests, Greenock-based singer, Anthony McElwee has embarked on a rising solo career after raking up over 11k views on his Lonely Town music video on YouTube and there is no doubt that this new single is just as promising.
One-line review: “McElwee perfectly creates the illusion of drinking Moonshine while listening to this single from his hypnotic, psychedelic vocals that can’t help but exude major Modern-day Donovan vibes.”
FFO: Jake Bugg, The View, Paolo Nutini, Donovan
The Temple Sons - Nightmares Coming
This brand new rock single written during the UK’s first lockdown from the Aberdeen-based quartet is not for the faint of hearted.
One-line review: “Opening with a catchy Led Zeppelin-esque riff accompanied by Nick’s explosive vocals, this single puts a whole other meaning into daring and bold rock.”
FFO: Foo Fighters, Those Damn Crows, Anchor Lane
Mickey 9s - Full American
Describing themselves as Post-Funk/Evil Disco, this four-piece Glaswegian band have no lack of power, beat and bass in this new single.
One-line review: “An incredibly unique blend that Mickey 9s have made from this single by extracting the greatness from both genres by merging the headbanging punk vocals with the toe-tapping rhythm of a funk bass.”
FFO: Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Marshmello
Vlure - Shattered Faith (released Mar 10)
Nothing quite like you’ve ever heard before, Glasgow-based Vlure, have created a whole new listening experience for both lovers of post-punk and club music in this new single.
One-line review: “Forming a bridge between the post-punk genre of the early 80s and dance music of the 90s, this single feels shrouded in dark music mysteries that you can’t quite place your finger on — truly like nothing you’ve heard before.”
FFO: Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Post Ironic State, Soft Cell
St. Clements - Great Britain
Up-and-coming five-piece alternative indie band St Clements have conveyed both their brightness through their visual aesthetic as well as their music style with this new single.
One-line review: “A quintessential indie track to uplift those lockdown blues, to transport your mind to standing in a crowd on a hot summer’s day with the sun beating down on your face — a must-have for your summer playlist.”
FFO: Of Monsters And Men, Circa Waves, The Snuts, The Wombats
Retro Video Club - Checkmate
This Edinburgh-based indie rock band are no strangers to playing packed shows at some of Scotland’s most notable venues and it’s almost certain that this track will make sure they keep on keeping up.
One-line review: “One of the catchiest indie rock songs released this year, 2 and a half minutes just doesn’t quite feel enough so you’ll be forgiven for wearing out that repeat button.”
FFO: The Strokes, The Snuts, Shambolics, The Rah, Twenty Four
Dev Green - Like That
Dev Green is the relatively new alt-pop project of Dundee artist and producer, Grant Irvine, who after spending some time producing other artists, decided to undertake his own solo career and after reaching over 4,500 plays on his single No Sleep in 2020, this single is set for the same appreciation.
One-line review: “If you’re looking for a little bit more of a modern sound for your funk-loving ears, then this single is perfect for you, incorporating a danceable beat, funk-inspired bass and elements of synth-pop for a modern yet eclectic sound.”
FFO: Years and Years, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, Kings Klub, Zedd, Martin Garrix
Savage Mansion - Prizes (released Mar 8)
Though primarily under the category of Indie Rock, Savage Mansion have released a new single that will have you wanting to swing your partner round while simultaneously rocking out.
One-line review: “Uptempo strumming paired with a slide guitar — what could compliment this country-folk sounding single more but the charming indie vocals of Craig Angus.”
FFO: Of Mice and Men, The Lumineers, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
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