GAÏA ‘Big Girls’
GAÏA is no stranger to the local music scene, having featured on tracks with Rebecca Vasmant, supported corto.alto and sold out their debut headline show. They’ve also received nominations at the Scottish Jazz Awards and the Sound of Young Scotland. They’ve now emerged from the studio with their first official single release – and it’s an enchanting slice of neo-soul. Beautifully laid-back and imbued with nineties R&B, neo-soul influences (think Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu etc), it’s a gorgeous debut that’s perfect for summer listening. Oh, and it also hints of a very bright future ahead.
Frankie Morrow ‘Way Out West’
The most surprising thing about ‘Way Out West’ is that it’s Frankie Morrow’s debut album. Out today, it’s a record that’s so searingly raw and well-rounded that it feels like it could come from a bygone age. Interestingly, she cites the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young as influences (there’s shades of contemporaries like Phoebe Bridgers, Sharon Van Etten and Courtney Barnett in there too), but the singer-songwriter channels these artists and makes something decidedly fresh, raw, invigorating and completely her own. Written after a difficult break-up and the loss of her father, the songs crash, yearn, ache and soar with emotion throughout – some strut with confidence, others grab your heart and others are stripped bare in their vulnerability. Importantly, the arrangements breathe life into the whole thing – there’s warm, acoustic moments, emphatic electric guitars, organ trills, brilliantly measured drums and swelling melodies. Produced brilliantly, its strengths are in its imperfections – lending a warm, homespun, earthy atmosphere to the whole thing and a raw, boundless energy. Above it all though, her voice is perhaps the standout feature – rising, falling, at times roaring, raging and delicate. She drives the album and shows her full range across its ten tracks – inviting us into her world and leaving no stone unturned in the process.
Quiet Houses ‘made for love’
Edinburgh-born, London-based band Quiet Houses shared their debut album ‘we’re all in love’ last week – an ambitious, uplifting and heartfelt record based around romance, friendship, community and connection. Founded on the songwriting partnership of Jamie Stewart and Hannah Elliot and their decade-long relationship, the album touches on matters of the heart with real pop nous and character. And at the heart of it is ‘made for love’, a bright, instantly catchy number with chiming guitars, colourful synths and one of their most direct choruses.
Voodoos ‘So Like You’
After a couple of years away, Voodoos have dropped a new four-track EP called ‘So Like You’. With Ross Coulter, Chris Marshall and Johnny Madden on recording and production duties, they pick up exactly where they left off – delivering four impeccable indie-rock gems packed with big melodies, gritty guitars and infectious energy. Channelling the likes of The Vaccines and The Strokes, they add more textures to their sound too – playing about with vocoders on the title track, gang vocals, synth flourishes and more. Backed by excellent songwriting and a genuine knack for melody, it’s another brilliant addition to their catalogue. However, it remains to be seen whether this is a one-off from the well-loved Glasgow outfit or a fully-fledged return from the band.
James Emmanuel ‘Good Man’
Edinburgh’s Nigerian-born soul star James Emmanuel releases his Good Man EP today, 26th June. Having found his voice in the capital through karaoke nights, jazz bars and busking, the singer is one of the finest artists emerging from Scotland right now. And his new EP encapsulates all that perfectly. Built on personal and often painful experiences, his music is a channel for inspiration and hope – led by his rich, timeless vocal. There’s the upbeat, piano-driven ‘Bridge Over Tears I’ve Cried’ and the rousing celebration of fatherhood in ‘Good Man’, while ‘Time’ is a moving reflection of his personal journey and ‘So Good To Me’ is a brooding ode to his supportive partner. A collection that wouldn’t sound out of place next to the biggest soul stars, James Emmanuel is a real star in the making. This year he has played TRNSMT, will support Nile Rodgers & Chic and headline King Tuts on 16th December.
Yes and Maybe ‘Rumours’
Yes and Maybe share their debut album ‘TRAIN TO NOWHERE’ on 31st July – and they’ve shared another preview single called ‘Rumours’. It sees them get more meditative and reflective – opting for cinematic synths and driving rhythms instead of their usual upbeat, gritty indie-sleaze.
corto.alto ‘GO’
corto.alto, aka Liam Shortall, has shared a new single called ‘GO’. He’s also announced the release of his new album ‘SOME SMALL FORTUNE’, which follows his Mercury-nominated debut ‘Bad With Names’. The album will feature a wide range of collaborators, including Mick Jenkins, Jacob Alon, Terra Kin, Oscar Jerome, Eriff and Vector. The latter is featured on new single ‘GO’.
Madra Salach ‘The Man Who Seeks Pleasure’
Madra Salach have shared a live version of ‘The Man Who Seeks Pleasure’, recorded at the sold-out headline at The Dome in London back in March. A staple of their live sets, we caught the band at TRNSMT last week and were blown away, with this track in particular standing out as a real anthem of defiance.
Singer Paul Banks says: “This version of the Man who seeks pleasure is particularly special to us. It’s from the last show on our debut headline tour and carries with it a lot of raw energy. While we love ‘The Man Who Seeks Pleasure’ which features on our EP, we wanted to release a version with the full band arrangement. We’re really excited to be able to share it with you now.”
Twin Atlantic ‘In Your Eyes’
After recently returning with the superb new single ‘Don’t Quit It’, Scotland’s Twin Atlantic announce their brand new, eighth studio album Separation From The Animals – a declaration of truth and the band’s most brutally honest record, arriving October 2nd via Dance To The Radio.
The announcement is accompanied by the release of simmering new single ‘In Your Eyes’ – heavily-loaded with melancholy. “It’s about being at the other end of a relationship where you feel like no matter what you do, nothing is ever good enough,” says frontman Sam McTrusty. “You take a step back and realise that in trying to appease that one person, you’ve blinded yourself to the fact that everything is great. Look outside of that window and life is much better.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw ‘Get Up and Dance’
‘Man/Woman/Chainsaw have shared a new ambitious single, “Get Up and Dance”; the first to feature Emmie-Mae Avery on lead vocals and the fourth song now to land from their much-anticipated debut album “Cannonball”, coming August 7th on Fiction Records. It’s an eerie, entrancing number that builds from a quiet beginning into something more expansive and enveloping – bringing their orchestral dynamics into full flow.
On the themes of the song, according to Emmie-Mae: “In my mind it’s set in a club, where you spot someone who’s been trying their luck with different people all night and decide to turn the game back on them. It starts playful but then takes a forceful approach, as you push them to prove their interest and test how far they’ll go, aiming to have them make a fool of themselves.”
Opus Kink ‘Will It Come For You?’
After the release of ‘The Head Tree’ (feat. The New Eves), album title-track ‘The Sweet Goodbye’ and ‘Come Over, Do Me Wrong’, Opus Kink have shared a new preview called ‘Will It Come For You?’. Set to feature on their debut album out 31st July, it’s a brilliantly wonky yet gripping track. Frontman Angus Rogers explained: “‘Will It Come For You?’ is a song about searching for your function in the world, the fear that there might not be one, and the sense of an encroaching fate different and maybe more terrible than you had imagined. It’s also about becoming more jaded, more afraid that the world will find ways to dash your hopes, and wondering if you can break through that and discover new ways to live within the ascribed hellscape!”
