50. The Mispers ‘Brother’
This London indie folk band make for very interesting listening; their track ‘Brother’ combining folk-based strings with Foals-esque guitar work. Whilst it would be far too simplistic to compare the band to other folk orientated indie acts such as Mumford & Sons or Of Monsters and Men; the brisk almost nordic tone throughout the track is chilling, and while their sound shares similarities with these artists, it is far more intimate and has greater depth.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
49. Tribal High ‘Charlie White’
Tribal High might not be the biggest name on this list, but if the Glasgow group keep producing songs of the same quality as ‘Charlie White’ then that could all change. The tune is a fusion of rock and hip-hop, with some similarities to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. It’s got a super catchy hook and is as addictive as the titular substance, earning it a deserved place on this year’s list.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
48. Alt J ‘Hunger Of The Pine’
The hyper-popular Alt-J released the follow up to their debut album this year with This Is All Yours. The Flagship song of the album was ‘Hunger Of The Pines’, which surprisingly contained a loop of Miley Cyrus’ voice. Putting that aside it is another brilliant, methodical track from the geeks of the music scene.
Listen: Via YouTube
47. The Horrors ‘I See You’
’I See You’ was the first single from The Horrors’ 2014 album Luminous. The opening minute packs in a mix of sounds, somewhere between Daft Punk and Boards of Canada. Then the psychedelic vocals arrive, sounding a little David Bowie-ish. It’s a seven and a half minute epic, but The Horrors sure know how to fill that time. A beautiful, ambient track.
Listen: Via YouTube
46. Bombay Bicycle Club ‘Luna’
Bombay Bicycle Club marked a successful 2014 with their fourth studio album So Long, See You Tomorrow. The singles from that album continued to be released into 2014, including the dreamy ‘Luna’. It’s light, twinkling melody and catchy chorus has earned it a place on this year’s list.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
45. Palace ‘Bitter’
London hype band Palace appeared on the scene this year with the bands debut E.P Lost in the Night making sizable waves amongst fans and concert goers alike for the unique sound. ‘Bitter’ is atmospheric in its openness with trinkets of guitar that resembles indie bands before them such as The Maccabees. The chorus is minimal, vocals barely strained and the guitar perfectly struggles to fill the silence. A song that is beautifully laid back, we suspect big things for this band in 2015.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
44. Death From Above 1979 ‘White Is Red’
Essentially the ‘ballad’ from Death From Above 1979’s new album, ‘Red Is White’ is a beautiful track. Ballad is stretching the term, as there are still the usual grinding chords full of gain thrown in, but it is more chilled than usual and it works perfectly. It is the standout track from a very impressive comeback album.
Listen: Via YouTube
43. Hozier ‘From Eden’
Hozier’s track ‘Take Me To Church’ has been a ubiquitous feature of 2014, but the sombre Irishman has more strings to his bow than just that single. A master of the emotional, heart-tugging genre, Hozier demonstrates all his prowess on ‘From Eden’. It’s a longing ballad with some sweet guitar melody’s thrown in, creating a spacey and yet wholesome sound.
Listen: Via YouTube
42. Jungle ‘Busy Earnin’
London duo Jungle exploded on to the scene mid 2013; having roused major interest online following release of singles ‘Platoon’ and ‘The Heat’. The following year saw the rise of the anthemic ‘Busy earnin’, thrusting the pair to new levels and building on their already unique mixture of urban, synth based groove and inner city malice to great avail.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
41. Happyness ‘Great Minds Think Alike, All Brains Taste The Same’
London three-piece Happyness are still a relatively unknown prospect, but they probably won’t stay a secret for long. Endearingly strange, their songs are a weird mix of pop, punk, grunge and bizarre lyrics. A beautiful example from their debut album Weird Little Birthday is the track ‘Great Minds Think Alike, All Brains Taste The Same’, which is a light-hearted and slow-paced pop tune, reminiscent of 90’s band Pavement.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
40. Belle And Sebastian ‘The Party Line’
Belle and Sebastian will be returning after a five year break when they release their album Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance, in early 2015. However, we got a small snippet of the album this year with their track ‘The Party Line’. Full of synth’s, and with their trademark melodic pop it bodes well for the upcoming release. ‘The Party Line’ could slip neatly into any club dj’s set, such is the feel good nature of the track.
Listen: Via YouTube
39. Jamie T ‘Zombie’
Telling fans the news of his return via a handwritten note on social media, Jamie T crashed back into our airwaves with stomping sounds and a reputable record in the form of Carry On The Grudge. Taken from that release, ‘Zombie’ is arguably even fresher, catchier and more clever than the massive hit ‘If You Got The Money’ from 2006 of the same melodic sorts. ‘Zombie’ sees Jamie T blend his love for hip-hop, reggae and punk. It’s urgent, infectious and has been in our heads ever since its first radio play.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
38. Royal Blood ‘Little Monster’
From the number one selling self-titled album, Royal Blood became one of the biggest rock bands in the last ten years almost over night; thrown into the big capacity venues and all that comes with mainstream acclaim. That said, what remains is a really great rock ‘n’ roll band, who live, are a force to be reckoned with. ‘Little Monster’ is a heavy, pounding track that became the sound of the summer smashing up festivals with their impressive duo drum and bass set-up.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
37. We Were Promised Jetpacks ‘I Keep It Composed’
We Were Promised Jetpacks released their third studio album Unravelling, solidifying their place near the top of the Scottish music scene. ‘I Keep It Composed’ was the first single to be released from the album. It does what it says on the tin, a chilled track with sparse, booming drums, a relentless rolling bass line and some light chords on the guitar, all culminating in a very composed song. Look out for the triumphant and euphoric final minute.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
36. Circa Waves ‘So Long’
With a debut album due out in March, Circa Waves could be one of the acts of 2015. Their 2014 wasn’t bad either, and their track ‘So Long’ exemplifies this. It’s a fully packed indie track with that feeling of dormant energy just waiting to explode occurring throughout the track.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
35. Raglans ‘Natives’
Raglans are a four piece indie band from Dublin whose eponymous release has saw them garner a much wider audience for their jangly, hook laden rock. The standout track from the aforementioned LP comes in the form of ‘Natives’, a pleasant slice of indie rock that recalls its golden era in the wake of The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys’ overwhelming acclaim. Providing a new dynamic to the sound established by The Kooks on their debut record, Natives is driven by a sing-along refrain and prominent percussion with brief yet effective utilisation of horns.
Listen: Via YouTube
34. Slaves ‘Where’s Your Car Debbie’
Kent’s punk duo Slaves are all about creating a racket, and shouting angrily down a mic at people who want to be shouted at. And actually, they are very good at that. They mix the aggression of classic punk with light-hearted topics, creating a confusion concoction that absolutely works. Their track ‘Where’s Your Car Debbie’ is a perfect example of this.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
33. Manchester Orchestra ‘Top Notch’
Atlanta-based rockers Manchester Orchestra have had a particularly fruitful year in 2014, not only releasing the stellar Cope but a reimagining known as Hope. The dual albums indicate the many different facets of the band, verging from boisterous rock to tender moments of self-examination. With identical track listings, the two albums provide a rare glance into both sides of their latest compositions, exploring their limits in a manner that is daring and innovative. One case in which this is particularly effective is on ‘Top Notch’, the album opener in each instance although the opposing versions are drastically different. Driven by an emotive lyric, its initial incarnation on Cope sees Manchester Orchestra at the peak of their powers, with a sludgy riff and powerful vocals from Andy Hull. Its subsequent revisiting on Hope is a much sparser and gentler outing, driven by subtle guitar picking and a piano interpretation of its central riff.
Listen: Tenement TV Session
32. White ‘Living Fiction’
Glasgow-based band White exploded onto the scene this year with their unique brand of radio friendly rock and funky riffs. Featuring post punk breakthrough artist Roxy Agogo among their ranks, the best track to emerge from them is ‘Living Fiction.’ An immensely enjoyable track from start to finish, it incorporates a wide range of influences from acts such as Franz Ferdinand and The Talking Heads in order to craft a track which both sets them apart and leaves fans pining for more in the foreseeable future.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
31. Real Estate ‘Talking Backwards’
Real Estate may hail from Eastern New Jersey but they sound more like they come from the breezy Californian West Coast. With the most chilled-out sound possible for an indie-band, they have been making gentle hymns for four years now. 2014 saw them release new album Atlas, and with it the super serene track ‘Talking Backwards’. If you’ve had a stressful day, let this song ease your troubles.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
30. Young Fathers ‘Get Up’
Young Fathers rose to the attention of many when there electro based R&B won them the Mercury Music Prize. The infectious single “Get Up” gained them many followers with its lo-fi electronic backbone, catchy hook and rapping resembling the work of Massive Attack’s Tricky; a mastered flow plays host to harsh Scottish dialect to great effect. The Edinburgh trio look set to take on the world in coming years and you can expect huge things.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
29. PAWS ‘Tongues’
Glasgow’s PAWS have been making waves around the world, particularly in America where the band have just toured their second record Youth Culture Forever, recorded in New York. Their lo-fi, garage, punk rock sound has seen them become a massive signing for FatCat Records and ‘Tongues’ from their second LP is another example of their robust lo-fi sound. It’s a truly raw track, complete with guitar melodies and captures their undeniable energy to a T.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
28. Augustines ‘Cruel City’
Rising from the ashes of their previous incarnation as Pela in 2005, Augustines have been carving out a reputation ever since reconvening in 2009. This year has seen the release of their eponymous album and the emergence of the triumphant ‘Cruel City.’ Incorporating influences from diverse acts such as The National and Frightened Rabbit to produce an anthemic and uplifting track which wouldn’t be out of place in stadiums far and wide, ‘Cruel City’ is driven by thundering percussion and Billy McCarthy’s bellowing vocals to produce something truly special.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
27. Deers ‘Bamboo’
Four girls from Madrid in Spain, Deers magically mix psychedelic influences with pop rock elements to create a sweet sound. With some of their tracks in English and some in Spanish, Deers have recorded their first batch of material on mobile phones and are currently writing their debut album due in October 2015. Taking aspects of beach goth with ‘Growlers-esque riffs filling their sound, Deers are somewhere in the middle of that and garage rock. With a sold-out Manchester show and packed London and Glasgow gigs under their belts, Deers are destined for big things in 2015 and ‘Bamboo’ is a great preview of what’s to come.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
26. Fatherson ‘I Like Not Knowing’
With an awesome marriage of a distinctive electric hook, powerful harmonies and sing-a-long lyrics, ‘I Like Not Knowing’ from the debut record I Am An Island sees the band create a hit track that throws them further into the realms of the mainstream. It’s a straight to the point track, with soaring riffs and the Fatherson charm that has seen it be the ultimate high in recent live sets. The band have enjoyed recent headline shows around Scotland, including a homecoming show in Glasgow.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
25. Hector Bizerk
Taken from the 2014 EP The Fish That Never Swam – the first in an ongoing series of four inspired by Glasgow’s coat of arms – ‘Little Man Says’ is the next step for the hip-hop act who have extensively played their SAY nominated LP Nobody Seen Nothing throughout 2013 and 2014. This track shows the growth of the band through Audrey Tait’s intricate drumming and Louie’s outstandingly-delivered street poetry. Complete with trumpet melodies and really prominent drumming, ‘Little Man Says’ is another tremendous track from Hector Bizerk, the Glasgow force to be reckoned with.
Listen: Via Bandcamp
24. Crash Club ‘Jawbreaker’
It’s only a matter of time before the UK music scene notices Crash Club, and when they do they will embrace them completely. Their multi-stranded sound combines industrial sounding electronics, big dance beats, rock n roll style guitar lines and some crafty bass. It’s a fresh sound, which is rare in this age, and even rarer, it’s an amazingly effective fresh sound. Their track ‘Recondition’ is possibly also worthy of making the cut, but in the end we have plumped for the brooding, mysterious ‘Jawbreaker’.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
23. Warpaint ‘Disco/Very’
Another’s whose album has also topped our 50 list, Warpaint released their self-titled release in January 2014; their second to date. ‘Disco/Very’ is the most different and out-there tune on the album, with a more loud and aggressive feel. The line “We’ll kill you, we’ll rip you up and tear you in two” repeats over and over in the song. It’s a bit of a refrain from their usual elegant and beautiful sound, but it works well and really lifts the album back up before it can falter into a sort of dreamy maze.
Listen: Via YouTube
22. Parquet Courts ‘Instant Disassembly’
New York-based Austin new wave punk group Parquet Courts made a return with their second album this year Sunbathing Animal. ‘Instant Disassembly’ saw the introduction of a seemingly more refined and melodic approach than had been previously taken by the band. The track is steady and laid back, taking advantage of simplistic instrumentation and casually brash vocal tones to build a great track that closely resembles the sounds of cult New York based acts such as Television.
Listen: Via YouTube
21. Model Aeroplanes ‘Innocent Love’
They must be sick of people referring to their tender age, but it really is worth mentioning just how young Model Aeroplanes are. Still not quite 20, the Dundee four piece have been winning over fans for their, fresh, pop-rock sound. ‘Innocent Love’ is one of the catchiest and most danceable tunes of the year, bringing a force of youthful energy and spirit.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
20. Twin Atlantic ‘Heart & Soul’
There was a plethora of new albums released by top Scottish acts this year, and among the most popular of those is definitely Twin Atlantic. Fronting their new album Great Divide is the classic rock sounding track ‘Heart and Soul’. With a nostalgic feel of rock n roll’s heyday about it, sounding a little like a Scottish Def Leppard, it is a big track with a sing-along chorus. Despite its anachronistic feel, it still works in 2014, much to its credit.
Listen: Via YouTube
19. St Vincent ‘Digital Witness’
St Vincent released an album to huge acclaim in 2014 and its tracks like ‘Digital Witness’ that sent the fans and the critics in a frenzy. With a heavy bassline, brass hooks and dewy lyrics, ‘Digital Witness’ was the sound of the summer playing around the world at festivals including Glastonbury, Primavera Sound and beyond. And if those mesmerising live performances are not enough to land her in the top lists of 2014, her innovative mash-up of catchy pop tunes certainly does.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
18. Mac Demarco ‘Brother’
This year saw the release of Canadian musician Mac Demarco’s second full length album Salad Days. Contained within is the beautifully rendered ‘Brother’, which is backed by the full force of DeMarco’s laconic style. It’s shimmering, hazy pop with guitar lines clinking in and out, all under the warm blanket of his soothing vocals. A great track from a great album.
Listen: Via Soundcloud
17. Honeyblood ‘Super Rat’
Glasgow is a hotbed of musical talent, but poking their head above the crowd is the super-slick duo Honeyblood. Their songs have an element of sweet, innocent aggression about them, as if trying to lure you in gently before taking your head off with malicious fangs. ‘Super Rat’ does this perfectly: “I will hate you forever, scumbag, sleaze, slime-ball, grease, you really do disgust me.” It’s this oxymoronic combination of spiteful lyrics backed by the pairs’ sweet sounding voices that gives this track its charm, and cements it a worthy place on this list.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
16. Paolo Nutini ‘Iron Sky’
If Jack White’s album was highly anticipated this year, it was almost nothing compared to the buzz around a certain Paolo Nutini. This year he released his third album, which raised him above the pack into musical A-lister status. Once again revamping his sound the Scot this time returned in a guise of versatility and maturity, offering some brilliant new tracks. One stands above the rest though, and that is the unrivalled ballad that is ‘Iron Sky’. If you haven’t already, then just listen to it and that will be all the justification it needs for you to know it warrants a place here.
Listen: Via YouTube
15. Scary People ‘Guided By The Blind’
Backed by a little support from city-mates The View, Scary People’s career snowballed pretty quickly in 2013. 2014 saw their profile rise even further with appearances at T in the Park and Wickerman festival, as well as plenty press coverage. ‘Guided By The Blind’ is a beautiful slice of dark, power-driven rock. With a chugging momentum and epic chorus that has hints of Alter Bridge about it stands out in the memory for announcing the arrival of a Scottish band with huge potential.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
14. The War On Drugs ‘Red Eyes’
The standout track from the astounding Lost In The Dream; ‘Red Eyes’ is one of the most well crafted tracks ever to be credited to Adam Granduciel, the band’s principal songwriter since the days when they counted Kurt Vile among their esteemed ranks. The track is a mesmeric affair, combining hazy lo-fi production with a sense of grandiosity. Featuring a myriad of interesting instrumentation, its riff laden chorus captivates while the verses’ feature synth textures and poignant piano at their core. The song also sees Granduciel come into his own as a songwriter, spinning a yarn reminiscent of both Springsteen and Dylan over this incredible composition.
Listen: Via SoudCloud
13. Public Access TV ‘Monaco’
New York threepiece Public Access TV released ‘Monaco’ at the turn of the year, a bright guitar track with a youthful swagger that you would expect from a hype band from the Lower East side. A lack of information on the trio has added to their intrigue but it is clear that their sharp, current tones will gain them further credibility in the near future.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
12. Jack White ‘Lazaretto’
Jack White holds an elevated position of superiority in the rock music world. Highly regarded by almost everyone for his blatantly brilliant musical talent, the virtuoso rarely disappoints. His new album lazaretto was unmistakably the work of White, with weirdness, erratic shifts, left-field touches and the undeniable musk of an album that has been slaved over down to the tiniest detail. Titular track ‘Lazaretto’ is, in its simplest form, a brilliant rock track, and an obvious choice for this year’s list.
Listen: Via YouTube
11. Catfish & The Bottlemen ‘Cacoon’
One of the standout bands of the year has to be Catfish and the Bottlemen, who have been playing almost everywhere throughout 2014, amassing a huge new following. It took them a few years to find success but they have certainly now cracked it. Their debut album had a few tracks that could easily have made this list, but in the end we feel ‘Cocoon’ stands above the others as a stunning example of intense, alternative rock.
Listen: Via YouTube
10. Baby Strange ‘Distance Yourself’
Glasgow’s rock trio Baby Strange have mastered the art of tight tracks drenched in punk. Enjoying packed shows throughout 2014 including sets at Reading & Leeds Festival, the band released ‘Distance Yourself’ in April, showing a much darker sound than previous releases ‘Friend’ and ‘Pure Evil’. Featuring fuzzy guitars and deep bass riffs, ‘Distance Yourself’ shows true progression in the young band. The band are set to tour in 2015 and have recently released ‘VVV’, another strong offering from the young outfit.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
9. Tijuana Bibles ‘Toledo’
Rock made a foray back into the mainstream this year with the popular Royal Blood, but they aren’t the only band capable of producing highly accessible rock riffs. Glasgow’s Tijuana Bibles have had an impressive year, making numerous festival appearances and gigging relentlessly to build a large fan-base. Their stand-out song is ‘Toledo’, with hints of Zeppelin hidden beneath a mask of aggression and ferocity.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
8. The Twilight Sad ‘Last January’
One of Scotland’s favourite sources of misery, The Twilight Sad, dropped another beautifully dark album this year. The roundness and completeness of the record came from the vast bank of experience that the band have gained in the seven years since their first LP. From it spawned various new tracks that will haunt listeners’ ears, captivate and toy with their emotions. ‘Last January’ stands out from the crowd, with a delicate and mesmerising sound that will have you enthralled from the start.
Listen: Tenement TV Session
7. Future Islands ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’
Having toiled under the radar since forming in 2006, Future Islands have undoubtedly had their breakthrough year in 2014 with the release of latest album Singles. A thoroughly enjoyable synth led, new wave indebted record from start to finish, the record’s crown jewel is indisputably ‘Seasons (Waiting On You).’ As perfect a pop song as you will hear this year, Seasons is enhanced by Samuel T Herring’s heart wrenching vocals and the band’s incredible knack for melding typically detached music such as synth pop into something more profound.
Listen: Via Soundcloud
6. Fat White Family ‘Touch The Leather’
Fat White Family may be the only truly authentic rock n roll band left in the UK, living a lifestyle that would impress the bands of old – Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain etc. They practise what they preach, not hiding behind any false images, and that’s what makes their music so stirring. ‘Touch The Leather’ is dark, dirty, grimy and entirely entertaining.
Listen: Via SoundCloud
5. Neon Waltz ‘Sombre Fayre’
Released on the opening day of the year was Neon Waltz’s ‘Sombre Fayre’. The Scottish highlanders create the most scenic music, no doubt influenced by their surrounding setting. ‘Sombre Fayre’ is a spacey and minimal take on alternative-rock, with hints of folk that draws some comparison with Fleet Foxes. The band themselves have had a big year, and 2015 is likely to be equally important for them. ‘Sombre Fayre’ is a brilliant marker, but these guys have the promise to be even better.
Listen: ‘Sombre Fayre’
4. Pronto Mama ‘Goose Steps’
Pronto Mama are one of the most exciting up and coming Scottish acts around at the moment, and definitely a Tenement TV favourite. ‘Goose Steps’ sums up their sound – heavily accented vocals, touches of brass, and a light and springy indie sound. This is a track that can be played again and again and never get boring.
Listen: ‘Goose Steps’
3. Rival Sons ‘Open My Eyes’
Putting in the word for the US rock scene is Rival Sons, who in a short space of time are now onto their fourth album. Great Western Valkyrie dropped in the summer this year and continues the standard the group set on their debut. ‘Open My Eyes’ has all the classic Rival Sons ingredients, a slow, foot-stomping riff, and frontman Jay Buchanan’s screeching vocals and an old-school bluesy guitar solo.
Listen: ‘Open My Eyes’
2. The Amazing Snakeheads ‘Nighttime’
The Amazing Snakeheads underwent a line-up change this year, but it certainly hasn’t affected the non-stop momentum that is propelling the three-piece into the limelight. Their sound can best be described as pure delinquent: “They say I’m bad, bad to the bone, but I know something they don’t know.” The way singer Dale Barclay spits out this line on the track “Nighttime” gives every impression that he fully believes it. Packed with punk attitude but dressed up with something even more dark and sinister, The Amazing Snakeheads are one of the most intriguing prospects on the UK music scene at the moment.
Listen: ‘Nighttime’
1. Prides ‘Messiah’
Glasgow band Prides may have started out in 2013, but 2014 is when they really came into their own. They have had huge success this year, with airplay on Radio 1 and XFM, and appearances at numerous festivals, including the closing ceremony for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Their synthtastic sound is best epitomised by their huge hit ‘Messiah’.
Listen: ‘Messiah’
