SLIX ‘Sick’

Gourock five-piece Slix are back with the incendiary ‘Sick’. A bold, dark return, it effectively captures all their punchy live energy and more as they rally against the state of the world and those in positions of power. Set against brooding bass lines and driving guitars, it’s an anthemic call to arms, a stroke of defiance that lights the fire underneath. After winning the Best Live Act at 2024’s Scottish Alternative Music Awards, they headline the Garage in Glasgow on 11th April. 

They said: “We wanted to take our live energy from shows and produce it in the studio which has always been something we’ve never quite nailed, but ’Sick’ does exactly that. We canny wait to play it live – our Glasgow headline show in April will see its debut performance amongst other brand new unreleased tunes.

“It’s hard hitting and it packs a punch, lyrically showing our discontent with the way things are in the world, being a topic we felt like we needed to speak about. ‘Sick’ shows a different side to us and launches a development in sound for SLIX and we are absolutely buzzing to take you on this journey with us through these next releases.”

Fourth Daughter ‘Full Bloom’

Fourth Daughter, aka Emily Atkinson, has shared her eagerly anticipated second EP ‘Full Bloom’. The classically trained pianist turned electronic producer hit a bit of a breakthrough last year when her Balearic, dancefloor-ready track ‘Higher (Just a Feeling) was picked as Radio 1’s Track of the Week, following it up with the equally mesmerising and well-received ‘HYBRID’.  Both tracks feature on the new EP, which captures all of that potential and electro-pop prowess. The EP is filled with radiant vocals, pulsating synths and luminous soundscapes – opening with the summer hit ‘Higher (Just a Feeling)’, and traversing through darker drum’n’bass influences (‘Deja Vu’) and emotive pop-leaning dance (‘HYBRID’). Citing influences like Rufus Du Sol, Jamie xx, Disclosure, Romy, Jungle, it’s an accomplished collection that showcases an artist who is steadily mastering her craft – its addictive melodies and pulsing soundscapes evoking heady nights on the dancefloor.

Bottle Rockets ‘Video Call’

Glasgow indie outfit Bottle Rockets are back with new single ‘Video Call’ – an uplifting anthem about letting go of the past and finding the strength to move forward. It’s delivered with their familiar blend of introspective lyrics, soaring vocals and driving guitars – encapsulating everything we love about the band. It’s an infectious return from BBC Introducing’s Scottish Act of the Year 2024, setting them up for a busy year ahead.

They say: “Video call is about grasping onto the final tethers of a relationship that is coming to an end – even if you don’t necessarily want it to,” explained the band. “It explores coming to terms with this fact and ultimately going through the motions toward acceptance and moving on. We hope the song encourages listeners to embrace that feeling of empowerment!”

Calum Bowie ‘Wherever She Goes’

Scottish breakthrough artist Calum Bowie has today (Feb 21st) shared new song ‘Wherever She Goes’.  An uplifting and infectious anthem, ‘Wherever She Goes’ is the second track to be shared from the rapidly rising singer-songwriter’s debut EP ‘Through The Window’, which is released 21st March. Set against driving guitars, it’s a heartfelt number full of misty-eyed romance and charm.

Speaking about ‘Wherever She Goes’, Calum says, “It’s about when you feel overwhelmed, and you don’t know the right answer. And then there’s a girl who shines and clears the path… and really, that’s the answer.”

The Rooks ‘Get Up’

Glasgow’s The Rooks have teamed up once again with GRAMMY-Award winning producer Jim Lowe (Foo Fighters, Stereophonics & more) on new track ‘Get Up’. Arriving ahead of their sold-out show at King Tuts tomorrow, it has all the hallmarks of a live favourite – led by Ross Gardiner’s commanding lead vocals, surging choruses and rousing guitars.

They said: “The reaction we’re seeing at home in Glasgow is cool; we’re at the beginning of this buzz around us at the moment, as people are starting to catch on. We released our first single last May and we’ve been on some good shows around the country since, but it’s nice to get our own show back in Glasgow, and it fill up that fast. Get Up will be our third single out, so we’re starting to get used to it all. It’ll be out the day before the King Tuts show, so I think the crowd singing it will be something back for us and it’ll be good to share with the boys.”

Iona Zajac ‘Summer’

Iona Zajac has shared her first new single since 2023 – a haunting track called ‘Summer’. The singer’s powerful yet measured voice has earned her a strong reputation in recent years, leading her to perform alongside renowned artists such as Mercury Rev, Arab Strap, Lankum, John Francis Flynn, Anna B Savage and Cassandra Jenkins. She was also invited to open for and sing with The Pogues in Dublin last December making such a strong impression that this Spring she will continue as a vocalist for The Pogues on their May UK tour, sharing vocal duties with the likes of Nadine Shah, John Francis Flynn, Lisa O’Neill and Lankum’s Daragh Lynch across the dates.

Influenced by Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘I felt a Funeral, in my Brain’, the singer returns a verse of her own – and while there is a powerful melancholy to its brittle instrumental, it is imbued with a sense of hope for brighter days ahead.

Zajac comments on the new single, “It is a song for those dreaming of better days, of wars to end, of lovers to return, of heads to leave the fog. And when Summer finally comes, we might have found enough strength from the bad to make it last.”