TO SAY that the Glasgow music scene is in rude health would be an understatement in the extreme, it’s absolutely thriving, and The Imagineers are one of the most exciting acts on the circuit.  Much like their contemporaries Baby Strange, Pronto Mama and The Van T’s, they have a vivid identity of a vibrant young Scotland: brooding, vocally distinctive and confident in the creation of wonderful music.

Their songs are not always instantly accessible, but they can craft rousing alternative anthems for a new generation. The Imagineers debut album Utopian Dreams, self-released May 3, has the latter in abundance. Title track ‘Utopian Dreams’ opens with a twisted twang of guitar, a flurry of acoustic guitars and a mesmerising vocal that is more Last Shadow Puppets than Del Amitri. Certainly frontman Stevie Young channels his inner Scott Walker on this one with a delicious croon that saw them become popular in the States before splitting up four years ago. Thankfully re-imagined, they are back with a record, smothered in a rich Scottish brogue, featuring gentle gems like ‘If I See You Again’ and ‘The Gallery’. The former a nostalgic peek at loves lost and the latter a swinging pop song with terrific lyricism “a brain without dreams is like a bird without wings.”

‘Black Gathers’ is bare and introspective, seeping out hushed cello tones, it is fraught with quiet defiance. On ‘Cosmic Carsick’ The Imagineers continue to protest “masters will never change, we’re controlled by our fear” but do start to have more fun and experiment with their musicality. With a flamboyant furl of mariachi ‘Dare To Speak’ opens to a chorus of brass before the dark and despairing nature of The Imagineers takes over once more. However, before you can even get settled into that mind set Young and co woo you with a delightful ballad ‘Summertime Was Easy’. Chimes of ivory and bending guitar notes give the track a huge sound.

Utopian Dreams takes a veer in the road just after it’s halfway point. ‘Wishing Well’ is no doubt an uplifting pop song, but can perhaps be criticised for experimenting with too many soundscapes. Spacey synth sounds collide oxymoronically with acoustic guitars and fractured harmonies for too long throughout.

Yet, The Imagineers find their way again. ‘We Won’t End The World’ is a storming three and a half minute prog-rock banger. ‘Californians Drive All Day (In The Sunshine)’ is as close as Utopian Dreams gets to a bona fide indie anthem. Coming to the LP’s end ‘The Spell’ is a destructive chant of self-loathe. Breakdowns of driving bass provide natural breaking points as The Imagineers continue to use keys effectively.

‘The Man In The Silver Space Suit’ falls into the same category as ‘Wishing Well’, ambitious and experimental with a Bowie-esque feel, but maybe not executed as well as is to be desired. The East Kilbride four-piece close their debut album with another melodic tune ‘Love Song For Aliens’ starting out life acoustically it later blasts into a cathartic explosion of strings and synths.

Much was promised when The Imagineers were re-imagined as it were, and they have delivered with 13 songs that display a breadth of musicality and style that encapsulates all that is good about music from Glasgow right now.