WITH the recent news, it seems that the possibility of returning to support live music is not that far out of sight.

There’s something to be missed about having a pint spilled over you in a hot, sweaty crowd to the beat of an up-and-coming band.

Here are this week’s fantastic new releases so that you can continue to support our Scottish artists in fresh, clean clothes and the comfort of your own home until then. 

Sapienn - Provocateur

Though late to the acoustic music game, Sapienn moves away from the heavier influences of his earlier years in Glasgow’s metal scene and has instead favoured a stripped-back, milder sound with experimentation and progression. Sapienn’s first track of 2021, is exactly that.  

One-line review: “Being introduced to the pizzicato riff from the onset, it’s a pleasant surprise that it guides us throughout the whole track, augmenting the song’s experimental features and the spectacularly unique soft vocals.”

FFO: Jack Savoretti, Chris Stapleton


Volka - Become Undone

This five-piece, Livingston-based alternative rock band produce a whole other meaning to the genre — never short of volume, riffs and emotion and this new single is nothing shy of a testament to that.

One-line review: “Refreshingly heavy, steering away from the safety and stagnancy of most modern alternative rock bands — it feels risky, ample and one for the neighbours to headbang along to.”

FFO: Basement, Thrice, Black Foxxes, Foo Fighters, Nothing But Thieves


Glassmasterer - Trouvaille

Glassmasterer is the guise for Oban-born but Edinburgh-based Lewis Bigham who rather than being the jack-of-all-trades and master of none, is the jack-of-all-genres and master of one — his very own.

One-line review: “There is absolutely no doubt that this track stems from an array of influences, yet somehow still feels individual and experimental with faultless production value.”

FFO: Ariel Pink, Fishmans, Aphex Twin, Brian Eno


Abigail Pryde - Lady

Oban’s very own Scottish Taylor Swift, Abigail Pryde, has released an uplifting, invigorating new single that sets out to inspire women to take a hold of the reins in their life.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: DEBUT: Abigail Pryde unveiled her first single today. Picture by Nicholas Hamilton DEBUT: Abigail Pryde unveiled her first single today. Picture by Nicholas Hamilton

One-line review: “There’s a beautifully brutal honesty in this single that not only resonates with all female listeners but encourages.”

FFO: Rianne Downey, Eleanor Hickey, Gabrielle Aplin, Alison Krauss, Taylor Swift, Amy MacDonald


Jamie Pollock - Free As A Bird

After six years as a valued frontman of Alloa’s 90s-Brit Pop reminiscent band, Vida, Jamie Pollock has set himself up for a successful solo climb in the music world, propelled by the release of his third single this year.

One-line review: “Have you ever studied the birds gliding above you? Well after listening to this light, wispy acoustic, you’ll be right up there beside them, refusing to be brought back down to earth.”

FFO: Vida, Cast, DMA’s, Richard Ashcroft, Liam Gallagher, Oasis, The Verve


Rachel Jack - Warrior

Aberdeen electro-pop songstress Rachel Jack has been gaining well-deserved recognition amidst the Scottish Music Scene and beyond, from featuring on BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio USA, her new track Warrior that makes up her Magazine Girls EP proves why. 

One-line review: “Liberating, empowering while also breathing fresh air into female stereotypes by highlighting individual resilience and strength — an incredibly important message enhanced by the song’s melodic features.” 

FFO: Melanie Martinez, Eleanor Hickey, Taylor Swift
 

swim school - let me inside your head

This Edinburgh-based indie-pop quartet have released their first new single of 2021 after already making a huge presence in the scene last year with many claiming they are ‘ones to watch’.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: INSIDE OUR HEADS: swim school are back with their latest track. Picture by Rory BarnesINSIDE OUR HEADS: swim school are back with their latest track. Picture by Rory Barnes

One-line review: “It can be confirmed that they are, indeed, ones to watch, especially with the power of frontwoman Alice Johnson’s vocals competing with the sheer volume of all other instruments… and as Neil Diamond once sang ‘What a Beautiful Noise’.”

FFO: St Clements, Retro Video Club, stmartiins, The Ninth Wave, Lucia & The Best Boys, Wolf Alice, Pale Waves


Happydaze - Bad Taste

Edinburgh’s Happydaze is a refreshing, uplifting and modern blend of rock, pop and escapism which there is no short of in this new single.

One-line review: “If pop-punk and electro-pop decided to both have an instrument collaboration and exchange over a socially-distanced lunch one day, this fresh, modern and very 2021 single would be the result.”

FFO: Fall Out Boy, Asking Alexandria, Placebo, Panic! At the Disco
 

Franky’s Evil Party - ONE BIG FAMILY

This Dumfries-based quintet return with their first new release since 2019.

One-line review: “Charged with fiery emotion, intensity and an intriguing fuse of rap and screamo, this single invites you in slowly before attacking which is a very clever, power move from Franky’s Evil Party, tactically ensnaring your ears in what sounds almost like a drum and bass metal.”

FFO: Vlure, Idles, Slow Thai, Slaes, Guerilla Toss, Shame