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THE 2015 shortlist for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award was revealed last week, naming ten albums from Scottish artists including the established – Paolo Nutini, Belle and Sebastian – the refined – 2014’s winner Young Fathers and the relatively unknown – Kathryn Joseph. Leaving the likes of The Twilight Sad, Idlewild and Mogwai in the dust, get to know the ten records fighting it out to win this year’s prestigious prize.
Belle & Sebastian – Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance- Glasgow’s Belle & Sebastian have long been revered by both the underground and mainstream in equal measure. Gaining a significant amount of praise following the release of 2014’s Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance, their promotional schedule for the record took them across the globe. The release itself was an album of wistful pop, interspersed with moments of aggression and ecstasy that hadn’t always been present upon previous albums.
Errors – Lease Of Life- Part of the Rock Action stable, Glasgow’s Errors are one of the finest Electronic influenced outfits operating within the UK today. With several well-received releases under their belt, the attention accredited to them has certainly increased following the emergence of Lease Of Life. The album is filled with lavish instrumentals and as forward-thinking as anything you’re likely to hear this year.
Happy Meals – Apéro- The duo of Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook have been together for a long time, having been in a relationship for a number of years. However, it wasn’t until recently that they began to truly embrace a musical partnership. Formed on a whim after a session at Glasgow’s own Green Door Studio, the band’s output incorporates a wide range of influences from disco to psychedelia and new wave; ensuring that there is never a dull moment upon their debut record.
Honeyblood – Honeyblood- A Glasgow-based two piece that have cultivated a steadily growing fanbase over the past couple of years since making the T Break 16 in 2013, Honeyblood are without a doubt one of the city’s finest bands. Possessing a tremendous sound that harks back to the golden era of punk-based aggression, the girl duo manage to pluck in facets of modern day dream pop and indie to their sound effortlessly well.
Kathryn Joseph – Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled- Cultivating a sense of ethereal and intangible beauty which is at the forefront of her recorded material, Kathryn Joseph is an artist who is yet to attain the broader acclaim which she undoubtedly deserves. With the majority of the album recorded live, the record truly is an awe inspiring feat; featuring hints of artists ranging from Bjork to Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.
King Creosote – From Scotland With Love- A stalwart of Scotland’s ever expanding music scene, Kenny Anderson has saw himself not only nominated for SAY award in previous years but was also in contention to win the lofty Mercury Prize with 2011’s Diamond Mine project. Conceived as a companion piece to a documentary of the same name, the album’s 11 tracks have since taken on a life of their own; held dear by many within the nation and from further afield.
Paolo Nutini – Caustic Love- One of the country’s most renowned troubadours, the name Paolo Nutini has became synonymous with excellent songwriting and a constant need to redefine himself. Releasing three entirely disparate albums over the course of his already storied career, his latest work Caustic Love sees him dip his toe into everything from funk to northern soul and r&b. Featuring anthemic compositions such as ‘Scream (Funk My Life Up)’ and the poignant ‘Iron Sky’, the album saw him produce his most accomplished LP to date.
PAWS – Youth Culture Forever- With a sound that incorporates the catchiness of indie and 90s alt rock with the visceral nature of punk, Glasgow’s own PAWS have been making waves within the music industry since emerging in 2010. The trio’s touring with bands such as Ty Segall, Bleached and the legendary Breeders has resulted in a fervent fanbase on many continents. Undoubtedly their best record to date, ‘Youth Culture Forever’ opened the FatCat signed band up to a broader audience with its immensely catchy and yet notably raw compositions.
Slam – Reverse Proceed- Arguably the forefathers of underground house in Glasgow and a group who played a pivotal role in techno’s rise to prominence, SLAM are embedded within the nation’s clubbing culture. Curators of T In The Park’s ‘Slam Tent’ that has acted as a mecca of all categorisations of dance music for over 15 years and an act that have honed their craft after decades of touring all over the world, Reverse Proceed is the latest collection of great electronic music from the dance pioneers.
The Amazing Snakeheads – Amphetamine Ballads- A band that have unfortunately disbanded in the wake of a great deal of critical fervour and attention from all corners of the music world, The Amazing Snakeheads shone so brightly; but unfortunately could no longer harness their volatile energy into their creative endeavours. With TTV dubbing the album our favourite of 2014; Amphetamine Ballads continues to resonate with all of those who were entranced by its unique sound; with nods to everyone from Alex Harvey to Nick Cave, it was one of the most original records to have been birthed in the nation in years.
Young Fathers – DEAD- Winner of the much sought-after Mercury Prize, Young Fathers’ incredible Dead is a record which assaults the listeners’ sensibilities with both ferociousness and subtlety. Growing exponentially since their humble beginnings as an Edinburgh based hip-hop group, they have metamorphosed into an act whose music borders upon the inexplicable, utilising elements from any genre that they see fit and incorporating it into what is one of the most downright impressive sounds that can be found anywhere today. After beating Hector Bizerk to the punch in 2014, could it be a double for the Edinburgh guys in 2015?
