Brògeal ‘Tuesday Paper Club’
Brògeal have today shared their eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Tuesday Paper Club’. The Falkirk outfit first seized our attention three years ago with the brilliant ‘You’ll Be Mine’, and since then, they’ve been here, there and everywhere – honing in on their brilliantly raucous sound and winning fans all over the UK, Ireland and beyond. ‘Tuesday Paper Club’ is rich with folk tradition, infectious indie charm and youthful exuberance – with instruments like the accordion, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, and perky penny whistle all featured in their raw, catchy singalong anthems. Recorded at Black Bay Studio on the Isle of Lewis and featuring brilliant singles ‘Vicar Street Days’, ‘Friday On My Mind’, ‘Go Home Tae Yer Bed’ and the most recent release ‘Draw The Line’, it’s an immersive listen that’s not only full of beer-soaked revelry, but also a delicate sense of beauty on the likes of ‘Go Home Tae Yer Bed’ and ‘Scarlet Red’. Retaining all of the raw charm and nostalgia that drew us to them in the first place, Brogeal’s influences may be clear, but they’re a band who march to the beat of their own drum.
Psweatpants ‘LIFE WAS SHIT, IT’S BETTER NOW’
A couple of years after the release of ‘LIFE WAS SHIT, IT STILL IS NOW’, Glasgow-based rapper Psweatpants has shared the follow-up EP ‘LIFE WAS SHIT, IT’S BETTER NOW’. Of course, as its title suggests, a lot has happened since the release of that record in 2023 – the rapper has risen through the ranks of the Scottish hip hop scene, contributing to various excellent projects, from his own solo material to VLURE’s debut album, and making a series of thrilling live performances, joining the likes of Soapbox, Declan Welsh and The Snuts on stage. His music has taken another step forward too – the EP takes the incisive flow and high energy from his earlier material and takes it to another level. Drawing from the likes of JPEGMAFIA, Skepta, AJ Tracey and Vince Staples, he adds more punky attitude and brash sounds to the mix, particularly on the likes of ‘RedRum’ and ‘110sOn’. Perhaps the biggest shift though is seen on the moody, cinematic title track, a striking moment of personal reflection that features atmospheric vocals from lolabored. It all sounds bigger, bolshier and more confident – and if the rapper says things are better now, we believe him.
Rianne Downey ‘The Consequence of Love’
It’s a big week for Scottish debut albums with Rianne Downey also sharing her first full-length, ‘The Consequence of Love’. Produced by Ryan Hadlock (Zach Bryan, Brandi Carlisle) and recorded at Seattle’s Bear Creek Studio, the album showcases Downey as a vital new voice in the world of country and folk – it’s polished yet effortless; personal yet relatable; and with a real Scottish thread running through it. As ever, her vocals shine throughout – there’s no denying she’s an astonishing vocalist, particularly when set against hushed finger-picked melodies, lush strings and acoustic guitars. And while it never takes a dark turn, there are emotionally charged moments thanks to the openness of her lyrics – from the emotionally raw title track to the brilliant ‘Angel to the clarity and assurance of ‘Heart of Mine’ With honesty and beautiful storytelling at its core, ‘The Consequence of Love’ marks the arrival of a new Scottish star.
The Rooks ‘Where We Were Before’
Fresh from headlining our BBC Introducing stage at TENEMENT TRAIL on Saturday. The Rooks have shared an ambitious new single called ‘Where We Were Before’ The new cinematic track will appear on a new EP that’s on the way – and it sees them playing to their versatile strengths across its seven-minute run time. It has it all – big Oasis-esque riffs, a strong lead vocal, a rousing guitar work and an emphatic tempo change at around the five-minute mark to see the track off in style.
Frontman Ross Gardiner has commented, “It was really important for us that we capture the feel of the live show for listeners who haven’t seen us yet. It’s a seven-minute song for a reason. We’ve crammed the energy we bring to a one-hour long show into that one song.”
Hen Hoose Collective ‘Out My Mind’
Hen Hoose Collective – the pioneering, female and non-binary-led songwriting collective – have shared a new single called ‘Out My Mind’.. Following the sun-soaked optimism of Wipe Out, their latest track dives headfirst into a shimmering collision of punk attitude and disco-pop flair, offering another glimpse into their forthcoming album, written and recorded at Black Bay Studios on the Isle of Lewis and due for release in early 2026.
Written and performed by SHEARS, Cariss Crosbie, Ray Aggs and AMUNDA, with production from SHEARS and AMUNDA, the track fuses wiry guitars, glittering synths and crisp electronic beats. Layers of vocals drive the song’s restless energy, with SHEARS stepping to the front on lead. The session itself unfolded through improvisation, with the four locking together and becoming, in their own words, “like a punk disco quartet.”
Billy Reuben ‘Pull Me Undone’
Having lent his hand to other projects in and around Glasgow, including Nasari and Medicine Cabinet, Billy Reuben is the new solo project of singer-songwriter Joshua Çakir. Today he’s shared his debut single ‘Pull Me Undone’, and it marks a significant shift in direction – one defined by quiet, folky arrangements; intimate harmonies and personal lyrics. Recorded alongside Mark Johnston and Katie Lynch of Theo Bleak, there’s a beautiful, dreamy quality to the track – its wispy, homespun atmosphere lifted by delicate, finger-picked melodies, close harmonies and yearning strings. Channelling the likes of Jose Gonzalez, Big Thief and Nick Drake, it’s a warming, immersive listen.
He said: “It’s the first single out from my upcoming EP. I had been toying with the idea of doing a solo record for years now and everything kind of aligned. I recorded this track with Mark and Katie (Theo Bleak) and a friend of mine Frederik Daelemans (Tamino) played some beautiful cello. I reached out to Audrey Tait (Franz Ferdinand) to produce this single and the rest of the EP. Making this single was a wonderful collaborative experience for me and I’m glad people can now listen to it.”
Starsky Rae ‘Corner Of My Eye’
Known for his experimental songwriting and dreamy indie pop, Starsky-Rae has shared news of a new album called ‘Taste The Bruise – out 22nd October. We’ve already heard the likes of ‘What?’ and ‘That’s The Way It Goes’, and now he’s dropped a new single called ‘Corner Of My Eye’ ahead of its official release next week. The track moves forward confidently – the steady thump of keys and bass accompanied by Sam Bancroft’s soft delivery, soulful harmonies and a wandering brass section. It’s an immersive listen that strikes a balance between the dreamy and emotive. See him launch the album at the Rum Shack on the 22nd October.
Ain’t ‘Long Short Round’
With four singles to their name and a formidable live reputation, there’s been a real buzz about South London band Ain’t for the past year. They’ve just dropped a new track called ‘Long Short Round’ – and it’s easily dynamic and richly textured track to date. Spanning just over six minutes the song takes all those much-loved elements from their previous four singles – their affinity for stranger side of 90s guitar music, post-punk, and shoegaze – and laces them with fuzz rich guitar lines and hook led harmonised vocals.
Bold Love ‘Dancing and Loving’
Fresh from their appearance at TENEMENT TRAIL last weekend, Irish outfit BOLD LOVE have shared a new EP ‘Dancing and Loving’. Reflective of its title, it’s a bright, lush, eclectic collection that pulls from various genres and styles while navigating big emotional themes like youth, love, death and belonging. Importantly though, it strikes the perfect balance between soft intimacy and big hooks – with pop hooks, twinkling guitar melodies, alt-rock riffs and delicate harmonies thrown into the mix, their sound may be expansive but what shines through is its warmt
