MAY's bank holiday begins this Monday, providing you with an extra day added to your weekend for the extra amount of new Bluetooth-speaker bangers from the Scottish music scene.

Whether you’re out at the park enjoying the sun or at home, it doesn’t matter where you choose to spend your bank holiday weekend, anywhere can be a dance floor if you’re brave enough.

 

Angelica Mode — Don’t Make Me Wait

Proclaimed as “an act to watch in 2021” by the Scotsman, this recent project of Brian Hughes moves in a completely different direction from his previous band, Screamin’ Whisper. Instead, the Irish-born but Scotland-based musician has made a thunderous eruption into the scene with the success of his debut single ‘Your Love Is All the Rage’. This new single is set for the same acclaim.

One-line review: “If both Bowie and Oasis existed today, this feels like the kind of modern, electro-rock that they’d be making and we’re lucky that we have Angelica Mode to be giving us exactly that.”

FFO: David Bowie, Oasis, MGMT, Empire of the Sun, Richard Ashcroft, Brandon Flowers


Dog on a Swing — Be My Widow

Edinburgh-born Ed Ritchie performs under the alias of Dog on a Swing. Not only does he succeed in capturing the ears of his listeners from all over the UK with his solo work, but also his ability to work alongside other musicians, adding unexpected instrumentation that only enhances the delicacy of his vocals.

One-line review: “The acoustic guitar and strings combo adds an almost ethereal touch to the darkness of loss in this track.”

FFO: Steve Grozier, Robert Sotelo, Modern Studies, Posable Action Figures

 

Gefahrgeist — Parasites

Racking up an impressive 790 monthly listeners on Spotify from all around the world, this Scottish electronic duo have made an incredible reputation for themselves within the scene with their debut single Graceless named as one of the Herald’s Best Scottish Songs of 2020. It’s 2021 and Gefahrgeist are still keeping on top with the release of Parasites.

One-line review: “Fiona Liddell’s out-of-this-world vocals shine so bright they are almost blinding in this track, paired beautifully with Niall Rae’s production to create melodic euphoria.”

FFO: Meursault, Foreignfox, Aphex Twin, M83, Wrest, JORDAN

 

The Deep Shining Sea — Song Plays on Repeat 

It is shaping up to be a promising 2021 for The Deep Shining Sea, a Paisley-based trio whose hunger to create music surpassed the limitations of financial constraints and with their Tascam 4 track cassette recorder, produced a set of demos. This was just the moment in The Deep Shining Sea history that got the ball rolling for what is set to be their best year, especially with the release of this new track.

One-line review: “For a trio, this band knows how to make a fulfilling sound where all three have moments to showcase their impeccable talents on each of their own instruments and this track is a testament to that."

FFO: Viva, Shambolics, Teenage Fanclub, Travis, The Vegan Leather, The Snuts, The Jesus and Mary Chain

 

TAAHLIAH — Never Lose 

Glasgow-based DJ and producer, TAAHLIAH, is one to keep an eye on this year, especially within the electro-pop genre. With her debut single Brave accumulating an impressive 23,000 listens on Spotify after its release in February 2021, Never Lose is set to upkeep that prestige.

One-line review: “Immediate nostalgia is triggered from the 90s ‘Space Invaders’ sound laced throughout this track, set to what can only be described as one of the sickest dance beats of 2021 so far.”

FFO: JACKIE EXTREME, Planet 1999, Laura Les, Shygirl

 

Dictator — Hide and Seek

Launching their career at the end of 2019, Dictator have been hailed as a unique and original atmospheric rock band, fusing elements of psychedelia with electronica to draw in just over 637 monthly listeners UK-wide. This quartet have come a long way in such a short time and truly the gift of the Scottish music scene that just keeps on giving.

One-line review: “Hauntingly atmospheric vocals— enough to send a shiver down your spine and raise the hair on your arms.”

FFO: Cameo Habitat, The Vegan Leather, Volka, The Capollos, The Verve, Alt-J, The XX, M83

 

Shuna Lovelle — Rise Up

Shuna Lovelle has the unique soul talent of artists such as Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, some of which she credits as her earliest influences. Not only this but she has the skill of merging this unique voice with pop and dubstep for an uplifting, refreshing modern feel.

One-line review: “Gradually rising up to a soul-filled climactic chorus, Shuna’s vocals take us on a pitch-perfect journey of liberation augmented by twinkly, charming arrangement and faultless production.”

FFO: KAIT, Emaé, Eleanor Hickey, Rachel Jack, Maya Herlihy, Amy Winehouse, Jess Glynne

 

Craig John Davidson — Down at Dawn

Having a presence in the scene since the early 2000s, this Aberdeen-based singer/songwriter is honed for his incredible fingerstyle playing that fits impeccably with the roots of his own musical foundations: alt-folk/blues.

One-line review: “The fragile, angelic pitch of Davidson’s vocals are set to the backdrop of a simultaneously soft yet powerful musical arrangement.”

FFO: Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Steve Grozier, Radiohead, Vast, Jose Gonzalez

 

Hector Shaw — Masochist

Indie-folk artist, Hector Shaw, made his debut on the scene with his single ‘Gravity’ in February this year. Since then, Shaw has been making a presence on radio stations such as BBC Radio Scotland and Folk Radio UK. His third single Masochist centres on the quest for validation from toxic people and Shaw has revealed that it’s one of his favourites to play live.

One-line review: “Despite the sad theme, the music portrays a much more unexpected neutral tone and maybe even leaning more on the upbeat side with the steady drumbeat, harmonics and beautiful transitional modulation.”

FFO: Jack Savortetti, Chris Stapleton, Sapienn, John Rush

 

Felix and the Sunsets — Pass Me My Matches

Felix and the Sunsets are back with yet another unmatched release, with their diverse musical influences shining through on every guitar solo. This band is no stranger to the scene with acclaim achieved through several blogs and airplay on various radio shows. However popular they are in their home turf, Felix and the Sunsets have gained huge international appeal from various states in North and South America, as well as Istanbul.

One-line review: “Almost instantly with this track, you can feel the warmth of the blues radiate within you, the same way a good whiskey does.”

FFO: Janis Joplin, Santana, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Canned Heat

 

The Katuns — Similar Faces

Originally forming in 2019 as a backing band for frontman Adam Frame, the band formed an identity for themselves under the name The Katuns shortly after the pandemic struck. Although fairly new to the scene, this is a band that keeps on climbing the ladder at an alarming rate and it doesn’t seem like they’re far from the top. If you blink, you’ll miss it.

One-line review: “It’s refreshing to hear a track that introduces the rhythm section not only instantly but impeccably, carrying the flow and acting as a backbone for some raw, indie vocals.”

FFO: Vida, Shambolics, Cameo Habitat, The Snuts, Twenty Four, The Vaccines, The Lathums, The Vanities

 

The Vanities — Wasted All My Days

Identifying as a Glasgow-based garage punk band, The Vanities are never short of energy, vivacity and ferocious sounds. Messy, unkempt but equally as charming as a band, they’ve added a much-needed spice and rejuvenation to the sounds of the Scottish music scene.

One-line review: “Bordering more on the punk rock sound of the 70s (or even as early as the 60s), this track seems to raise the bar for most other modern Scottish rock bands from looking back to the essence of rock and roll, adding a mostly-untouched zest to the progression of the scene.” 

FFO: The Katuns, The Ramones, The Undertones, The Kinks, The Hives