Joesef ‘Stephanie’s Place’
Joesef has made a welcome return with the release of ‘Stephanie’s Place’, along with news of a Glasgow residency at the Art School from 28th-30th March. Following on from last year’s ‘Cynical’, it marks another step forward into his new era of electrifying optimism – pairing his tender, soulful vocals with an upbeat funky groove. At its core, it’s a song about love and friendship, as he says: “Stephanie’s Place is about that particular vulnerability of telling someone you love them for the first time.There’s a level of airs and graces that’s stripped away by an all nighter which usually makes it easier to profess your love for anyone, whether that be someone you care for deeply or even a complete stranger. It’s the one of the rawest states to be in, and I’ve met some of the greatest loves of my life as a result of it, platonic or otherwise.”
Theo Bleak ‘Peach Sky’
Along with the announcement of a new EP ‘Bad Luck Is Two Yellow Flowers’, slated for arrival on 15th May via Polymoon, Theo Bleak has shared a new single called ‘Peach Sky’. Channelling the likes of Radiohead and Mazzy Star, it’s a deeply affecting return about memory, impermanency and fleeting beauty – one that immerses the listener with moody guitars; gliding, ethereal vocals and cinematic textures. With raw emotion at its heart, it feels both intimate and expansive – seizing the heart with its diaristic lyrics and emotive vocals. An artist who evolves with each and every release, it’s a poignant return from one of Scotland’s most consistent and talented songwriters.
She said: “I wrote the song from fragmented thoughts and observations I had kept record of, I wrote ‘Peach Sky’ with Mark (Johnston) and Dan (Gatreau), while reflecting on the second time I lived and worked on the Isle of Skye. The morning I left the island to return home, the sky was a beautiful peach colour. I reflected on how impermanent my feelings were.”
Alice Faye ‘Bitter Minded Lover’
Taken from her upcoming EP ‘Silly Little Fools’, Alice Faye’s new single ‘Bitter Minded Lover’ is a playful, theatrical number about being with the wrong person, inspired by 1960s songwriters like Melanie (Any Guy) and Harry Nilsson. Like the songs have come before, her arresting vocals take centre stage against a backdrop of orchestral flourishes and country influences – delivering her compelling narrative with her tongue firmly in cheek, turning a tale of romantic mismatch into something fun and playful. It’s a typically bold and compelling return from a fiercely unique artist.
Zoe Graham ‘Happen’
Zoe Graham dropped another preview of her upcoming album ‘TENT’ during the week. ‘Happen’ follows the likes of ‘Good Girl’ and ‘Push and Pull’, and is a perfect encapsulation of this bold, vibrant new chapter for the singer. It’s a radiant return, filled with bright melodies and brilliant creativity, strutting forward with total confidence and maximalist flare – her introspective lyrics set against funky, Thundercat-esque basslines, fun synth embellishments and big buoyant choruses. It’s a constantly evolving track that shifts from one section to the next, leaving you gripped from start to finished.
Eriff ‘Every part of you’
Eriff is the new project of the team behind VanIves – and today they share their new single ‘Every part of you’. Known for their inventive and meticulous approach to songwriting and production, they strip everything back to its core for their debut single under their new guise. Stuart Ramage’s heartfelt vocals and deeply moving lyrics take centre stage, layered with vocals and an acoustic guitar before lifting off with an upbeat, horn-embellished cathartic bridge at the end. Most familiar is the emotional punch at the heart of the song as he reflects on the loss of an important relationship; it’s a poignant and very welcome return from a duo we’ve missed hearing from.
Rebecca Vasmant ‘Blessed’
Premiered by Lauren Laverne on BBC 6Music, “Blessed feat. Nadya Albertsson” is the new single from Glasgow-based pioneering DJ-Producer Rebecca Vasmant, taken from her upcoming album ‘Who We Are, Becoming’, out 9th May via a label partnership between New Soil and Women In Jazz.
Written as a love letter to one of Rebecca’s favourite records, “Blessed feat. Nadya Albertsson” takes inspiration from the Garrick’s Fairground track “Blessed Are The Peacemakers”, by Michael Garrick and Norma Winstone. “I am so incredibly grateful to have heard this track, it has absolutely changed my life”, Rebecca explains. “I wanted to make my own version as a way to show my gratitude and love for such a beautiful piece of music”. Through the making of the track, Rebecca became pen pals with Michael Garrick’s son Gabriel, after asking for his blessing to use a sample of his dad’s piano from the original record.
The LP is a standout contemporary jazz record, representing an exciting new chapter in Rebecca’s artistic journey. Staying true to her roots, it boasts powerful collaborations with some of Scotland’s finest musical talents, with the single featuring interdisciplinary artist Paix and vocalist Emilie Boyd, alongside Amanda Whiting (harp), Joe Rattray (bass), Graham Costello (drums), and Cameron Thomson-Duncan (trumpet).
‘Who We Are Becoming’ is out 9th May via Women in Jazz x New Soil digitally, with limited edition vinyls available for pre-order.
PG Ciarletta ‘Freedom’
Released amidst a headline tour throughout February and March, PG Ciarletta returns with his first single of the year. Playing across Scotland in Falkirk, Kilmarnock, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Helensburgh, Ciarletta embraces his nature for catchy feel-good choruses with his latest tune produced by Jamie Holmes and Johnny Madden.
Already booked for This Feeling’s ‘By The Sea’ festival headlined by Stone and The Lottery Winners, 2025 looks to be a bright year for the singer/ songwriter after a successful campaign in promotion of his ‘From Glasgow To Berlin’ song targeted at the Tartan Army’s efforts across the 2024 Euro’s.
Ciarletta is yet to conclude his Scottish tour, with tickets available for his upcoming shows in Clarks, Dundee (February 28th) and Peckham’s in Helensburgh (March 1st).
No Windows ‘Return’
Hailed by NME as “loaded with nostalgia while waltzing into the future”, No Windows announce their new EP ‘The Great Traitor’ releasing May 9th through Fat Possum Records, with lead single ‘Return’ out now.
A slow burning mixture of 90s alt rock and pastoral indie that sounds like something Buffy would have swooned to at the Bronze, ‘Return’ is written from the perspective of Verity at 16-years-old – understanding her autism, always feeling awkward and out of place at school. The track makes its way from dark and dissonant to sunny and delicate, like someone weaving through the woods and out into the open. “I can’t fit into your space / Mould me into the girl you want to see,” Verity sings with a fiery confidence that has come with age. “It feels quite angry,” she says of the track. “The way I sing it live, there’s a lot of emotion behind it. If I had actually written it [back then], it probably would have been a much sadder, mellower song.”
Goodnight Louisa ‘Sunday School’
Following the release of ‘Actor’ last month, Goodnight Louisa has followed it up with a new track called ‘Sunday School’. It’s a compelling slice of alt-pop that takes many twists and turns – bathed in glowing synths, brass embellishments and centred around a big, catchy chorus. Featuring a dark, twisting breakdown at around the two-minute mark, it’s another thrilling return from a continuously inventive artist.
