Katie Gregson-MacLeod ‘Teenage Love’
Freshly signed to Last Recordings On Earth – the artist-focussed label ran by Matt Maltese – Katie Gregson-MacLeod has returned with ‘Teenage Love’.
With an innate ability to combine love, heartache, anger and poise in her work, the new track channels familiar influences like Elliot Smith and Lucy Dacus while bringing something fresh to the board. It’s got all the hallmarks of some of her finest work – melodic flair, emotional catharsis and incisive lyrics – and has already garnered huge support on social media.
She says: “Teenage Love’ honours the small but mighty part of me where anger resides. I wrote the majority of the song over two years ago, making sense of some new resentment I was feeling on behalf of a younger me. As a teenage girl, there is a feeling that ‘angry’ is the ugliest thing you can be. Only in hindsight did I realise the power anger would have given me back then; a power that I thought I would land on in the pursuit of appearing ‘mature’ or ‘patient’.
“The song doesn’t regret, but it questions a lot. It sieves through some residue from past relationships; unanswered questions, resentments. It also laughs at it all the way we must to make sense of it.”
Lacuna ‘Shelley’
Opening their account for 2025, Lacuna are back with the brilliant ‘Shelley’. The band have carved out a reputation for their rich storytelling and melodic flair, expertly crafting intricate and dynamic soundscapes that often lull the listener into a false sense of security before taking flight.
New single ‘Shelley’ is a long-time live favourite and the recording captures the essence of their captivating live energy – opening in understated fashion before unfurling into three minutes of infectious chaos. Coming together in a quick ten minutes in the rehearsal room, there’s an electric spontaneity to it, as the band bring the character ‘Shelley’ to life – a quiet wallflower who secretly wants to join the ‘in crowd’. Filled with harmonies and dynamic rhythms, it’s a cathartic, euphoric and wholly uplifting return.
Patrick Hynes ‘Wild Country’
You may recognise Patrick Hynes as the frontman of post-punk outfit Holy Esque, but he’s back with new solo material and a new musical genre – midnight country. It was the loss of his uncle Jeff that sparked the new direction – and the result is a refreshing track that blends Americana tradition with Glaswegian soul. At its core, ‘Wild Country’ is a love song – warm, soulful and uplifting – and it finds Hynes in a purple patch of creativity, with a renewed thirst for his craft. Cinematic in its arrangement and heartfelt in delivery, it’s a stand-out solo debut that’s sure to tug on the heartstrings. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come next.
He said of the track: “With its resonance, warmth, guitars and melody: I’m sure Jeff would approve. After all, his musical tastes and influence are scattered all over it. The first five songs were written on his guitar. I then went back home to Scotland and continued writing on my own guitar. It’s not something I’ve considered in relation to the writing process, whether he was there with me, but I do believe our loved ones moved on are much closer than we know and are never truly far. So yes, Jeff is with me. I always thank those before me when a song comes, so maybe they are there after all.”
“Like it was meant to be. My time spent in Texas has given me the good fortune of witnessing the change in country music, in real time. Its influence runs through me and what better time for Scotland to carve its own new take, with its own artist sharing in that storied connection between here and there. Wild Country serves as the perfect opening love letter. It encapsulates a love story in its rawest form. New, beating and alive. It’s a great indicator from where I am and also for what to expect.”
Cloth ‘Golden’
The band today announce their brand new album ‘Pink Silence’ released through Rock Action Records on April 25th, featuring contributions from Portishead’s Adrian Utley, Owen Pallet and Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwate.
Their latest single ‘Golden’ traces how it feels to grapple with the breakdown of a relationship, and wade through the aftermath. Their way of meeting heavy themes with the quiet power of their feather-light approach has always been really special, and ‘Golden’s hypnotic thrum shows just one of the new sonic paths they look to walk down on the new album.
Paul Swinton comments on the new single: “I remember writing the main chorus guitar hook of this song, Rachael adding a chord accompaniment, and me saying to her “this songs needs to sound like Talking Heads!” I think that plan of action maybe got a bit lost along the way, but it’s still one of the album’s most musically upbeat moments, with a great hi-hat-driven beat in the chorus and a bridge which might be my favourite of any Cloth song. The song deals with the tough breakdown of a relationship, and the feeling of that loss being so difficult to reconcile with you’d rather have never fallen in love at all.”
LeisureLand: ‘Feeling Kinda Blue’
Hot off the back of an electric sold-out show at King Tut’s, Paisley-based Indie heart throbs LeisureLand have once again delivered with their new single ‘Feelin’ Kinda Blue’, in perfect timing for Valentines Day. Produced by Luc Grindle, hazy guitar lines soar across the track as vocalist Adam Dolan’s passionate performance leads, rising up in a euphoric burst of lament and nostalgia, culminating in a bittersweet finish that leaves you wanting more. The band take to the stage at Gallowgate 226 on Friday 26th February for ‘Eyezzz Of The Orb’, alongside the likes of San Jose, Cosmic Empire and Straid.
Roller Disco Death Party: ‘Another Saturday Night’
‘Another Saturday Night’ is Roller Disco Death Party’s final release from The Pink EP, a collection of electronic dance tracks recorded with Producer Jagz Kooner (Primal Scream, The Chemical Brothers, Soulwax). Their latest release explores the build up and anticipation of a good night out; sometimes you just know you’re in for a good time with all your loved ones around you.
Featuring a spoken word vocal, it follows the story of pre-drinks to the club, with both a driving beat and synths leading into a feel good electronic pay-of Roller Disco Death Party are a two-piece electronic duo from Glasgow, Scotland, comprised of the songwriting expertise of Neal McHarg (synths) and the musical prowess of Amelia Boyle (drums).
Ben Walker ‘Freedom of the driveway’
Another artist opening his account for 2025 is Ben Walker. Known for his singalong indie-rock anthems and relatable songwriting, the new track is another great addition to his catalogue – its self-reflective verses leading into soaring, driving choruses. Written from personal experience, it captures the essence of an artist who is on the brink of success – reflecting on the past, waiting for the breakthrough moment but always looking ahead. He headlines a sold-out St Lukes tonight.
PVC ‘Cara’s Song’
A band who are steadily making their mark on the local scene, PVC have shared a new single called ‘Cara’s Song’. It’s a hypnotic slice of post-punk, dripping in atmosphere – led by cool vocals and wiry guitars before it takes things up a notch around the two minute mark and drives towards a frenetic finale. They play Hug n Pint tonight.
Check out our New Music Radar playlist below.
