AFTER one of the busiest weeks for Scottish releases for as long as we can remember, New Music Radar has no shortage of bangers to add to your playlists. The nation’s music scene has a lot to shout about with new tracks from Walt Disco, VanIves, Be Charlotte, Dead Pony, Rascalton, The Vanities, The Roly Mo, wrest, Mc Salum and more. Check out all your local favourites alongside established names like Groove Armada, Haim, Marsicans and Khruangbin below.
Walt Disco ‘Cut Your Hair’
‘Cut Your Hair’ is Walt Disco at their very best – fun, eccentric, flamboyant, deliriously infectious and completely unstoppable. Throwing in all of the eighties bombast they can muster, it’s an irrepressibly vibrant display of glitzy synths, disco rhythms, stabbing guitar parts, addictive pop hooks and chanting vocals. Invigorating and fervently upbeat from start to finish, it’s the kind of jolt of energy we all need at the moment and a cue to dance the night away like no one is watching.
Where they continue to succeed is their ability to use old, nostalgic sounds to explore distinctly modern and relatable themes. Described by the band as ‘OK Boomer – The Musical’, ‘Cut Your Hair’ is a firmly tongue-in-cheek anthem that rails against those who pass judgement on others.
VanIves ‘Babyshower’
Nearly five months on from the release of their stunning EP ‘The Waves and I Would Wonder’, the trio are back with a deeply moving new offering titled ‘Babyshowers’. Opening with a gentle electronic hum and subtle hip-hop inspired beats, what at first appears to be a dreamy, otherworldly concoction soon takes on greater meaning when lead vocalist Stuart Ramage reveals the inspiration behind the song.
He said: “While driving back to our home town on a dim morning, Roan showed me a beat he was working on. Stereo cranked, he played the intro to what is now called ‘Babyshowers.’ The chord progression cradled the spring morning. Reflectively, I started writing as he looped it for the duration of the drive. The lyrics reflect on a relationship I had when I was 16, where my partner had a miscarriage. Being so young I’m not sure I properly processed what had happened, so this song is my attempt to express how I feel now that I’m older.
Known for his multi-faceted, shape-shifting productions that oscillate between the heart-wrenching and euphoric, Roan Ballantine opts for a more minimalist approach on ‘Babyshowers’. The beautiful subtlety of the instrumental allows Stuart Ramage’s emphatic vocals and emotional lyrics to shine as he reflects on his loss, showing that with even the deftest of touches, they are able to make a resounding emotional impact on the listener.
Be Charlotte ‘Lights Off’
A track that has been under wraps for some time now (there’s video evidence of the singer performing the song as far back as 2017), ‘Lights Off’ retains the thoughtful introspection of all of Be Charlotte’s material thus far over a luscious musical base of emphatic electro-pop. Reminiscent of Charli XCX’s playful, turn-of-the-millennium brand of avant-pop, the singer pairs her honest, heartfelt lyrics with plucked synth melodies, tight harmonies and big, syncopated rhythms to great effect before the track bursts to life with a banger of a chorus.
A powerful addition to her catalogue, it’s a tune that has the potential to propel Be Charlotte from international pop prospect to Radio 1 mainstay.
Rascalton ‘Sign Of The Times’
Nearly a year on from the release of ‘Employee Of The Month’, Glasgow punks Rascalton are back with a socially conscious new single called ‘Sign Of The Times’. One of three singles to come out of 7 West Music today, the timely track is a stark reminder of the worrying times we live in where food banks, poverty and homelessness have become the norm. “Why we gotta do it like this?” Jack Wyles bellows as they rail against the current political climate and those in a position of power. Paying heed to The Clash and many of their punk forebears in its biting social commentary and political sincerity, ‘Sign Of The Times’ adds a dark, menacing streak to Rascalton’s rollicking brand of punk-rock. Racing in at breakneck speed, it’s a track that hits home even harder at a time when the economic disparities in our society have been highlighted more than ever.
The Roly Mo ‘Diamond Doll’
Tipped at the start of this year as one of our TTV 2020 Vision artists, The Roly Mo continue their upwards ascent with the release of their brand new single ‘Diamond Doll’. Released through the ever-prolific 7 West Music label, the track is a natural progression from last year’s ‘I’ll Be Happy When You Die’ with its booming drums and fuzzed-out guitars as the band add some blues-rock bluster to their increasingly impressive repertoire. Thick with distortion and an irrepressible swagger, ‘Diamond Doll’ wouldn’t sound out of place next to The Black Keys in their ‘El Camino’ days.
Dead Pony ‘Everything is Easy’
New name, new beginnings. Dead Pony (formerly known as CRYSTAL) are ushering in an exciting new era with the release of their riotous new single ‘Everything is Easy’. When we caught up with the band a couple of weeks ago, they told us that a change in personnel and a fresh batch of songs that “were a bit different” to anything they’d turned their hands to before initiated the name-change. Now that we can hear their first release since signing to LAB Records, it’s easy to see why they would want to lay down such a significant marker.
Opening their account for 2020, ‘Everything is Easy’ sees the duo explore cool new dynamics and push the parameters of their grungy sound into exciting new territories, all while retaining the killer hooks and high octane riffs for which they initially became known. Built on a brilliantly addictive and danceable groove, there’s shades of 80s post-punk and disco thrown in but the main draw is in that brilliantly intense vocal dynamic between Anna Shields and Blair Crichton – Crichton’s menacing baritone a foil to Shields’ dreamy lead. It’s all connected to the idea that not everything is as it seems as the frontwoman explains.
“‘Everything is Easy’ is a take on how simple childhood experiences can be soured as you grow older. Lyrically, we tried to capture that feeling of betrayal you feel as a young, naïve child when you find out Santa isn’t real or that your conception wasn’t via your Dad finding a snotter on the wall and raising it to become you. We came up with this idea after having discussed how ridiculous the things were we believed as children”.
The Vanities ‘OTC’
The third single to emerge from 7 West Music this week is ‘OTC’ by The Vanities. A no-holds-barred slice of blistering punk-rock, it’s one that will certainly wipe the cobwebs away as Alan Hannah delivers one of his most emphatic vocal performances to date – his throat-shredding tirade is delivered against a backdrop of electrifying guitar lines and snarling refrains. Drawing inspiration from early Arctic Monkeys as it does from modern punk, it’s another exhilarating outing from one of the nation’s most exciting punk bands.
MC Salum ‘Felina’
After first bursting onto our radar with the hugely addictive ‘Jungle Kids’ at the end of last year, emerging hip-hop artist MC Salum is back with another creative offering called ‘Felina’. Featuring none other than Katie Lynch (stmartiins) on vocals, the singer’s warm, alluring tone soars effortlessly over Liam James’ seamless production. Driven by Mike Vincent Colville’s dynamic, boisterous rap stylings, listening to the track feels like dipping in and out of a lucid dream – oscillating between wistful, dream-like waves and more menacing phases as he wrestles with inner turmoil. Talking about the elaborate plot behind the single Mike says, “a gallus cowboy longs for his old flame, and finds out she is stuck working as a prostitute for a crime syndicate. In order to free her, he trades his soul to a shaman for eternal power. Felina is about the aftermath.”
Ess_Gee ‘PDF Depression’ EP
Growing up in the tiny town of Lochaline in the Scottish Highlands, Ess_Gee started to develop her own singular voice and songwriting skills without the draw of any particular music scene. Crafting minimal guitar pop characterised by thoughtful, strikingly vulnerable wordplay and sparse electronics, the artist displays heaps of potential on her newly released ‘PDF Depression’ EP. Recorded alongside Joe McAlinden in Argyll, the collection has been described by the singer-songwriter as “a journey through adolescence.” She said in a Facebook post “they were a space that I found to write down my thoughts, feelings and ideas which I could never quite articulate in conversation, or show any other way.” Opening with the emphatic ‘Kiss Me Hard’, Ess_Gee invites us into her world with flashes of romance, wistful melancholy and poignant reflection. From the moody, synth-laden ‘Pyromaniac Lover’ which explores the struggles felt by many creatives to balance work life and relationships to the cautiously optimistic ‘Remember Me’ to the darker-edged ‘Kill The Lights’, it’s a beautifully crafted collection that speaks of lived experience and it deserves your full attention.
Man Of Moon ‘Skin’ (The Ninth Wave remix)
Man of Moon team up with Millie from The Ninth Wave for the latest instalment of their remixes project. It’s the third mix of ‘Skin’ the band have treated us to so far after Amber Leith and Edwin Organ both laid their hands the track earlier this month, and what makes the project so compelling is that each take is as different as the next. Adding the kind of dark, gothic touch that The Ninth Wave have made their own in the last couple of years, Millie Kidd’s version is imbued with a creeping sense of foreboding and menacing atmosphere. Built around industrial beats and eerie synth lines, it’s an immersive listen.
wrest ‘A Perfect Spherical World’
Scotland has long excelled when it comes to melancholic indie with a traditional songwriting flare. Hailing from Edinburgh, wrest have inevitably drawn comparisons to the likes of Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks in recent years with their folk-rock anthems but the release of last year’s debut album ‘Coward Of Us All’ proved they were not simply to be conflated with their predecessors. Recorded at home in the midst of lockdown, ‘A Perfect Spherical World’ is the band’s first release of this year and it’s a gently-picked number that gradually builds to a soaring crescendo with pounding rhythms, ghostly harmonies and twinkling guitar lines. The beauty of the track lies in its simplicity as in his strong Scottish brogue, Stewart Douglas delivers the relatable lyrical sentiment – “Nothing’s making sense anymore”.
Scarlett Randle ‘HER (Watgood remix)’
Nearly a year on from the release of ‘HER’, a song we described as “the soundtrack to a deep daydream” upon its release back in March, Scarlett Randle has unveiled a new collection of remixes to accompany the track. Teaming up with BOBBIE, Chuchoter and Watgood, each producer has offered their own entirely unique spin on the stunning ballad – BOBBIE transforms it into a slice of hyper-active Sophie/AG Cook-esque electronica and Chuchoter’s Owen McAllister adds big beats and deep vocal effects while retaining the melancholic feel of the original. Our personal favourite, Watgood’s remix leaves Randle’s dreamy vocals largely untouched against deep synths and dark, industrial beats to create a night-time sound that’s reminiscent of Charli XCX in the ‘Vroom Vroom’ era.
Haim ‘I Know Alone’
Haim have shared a timely new single called ‘I Know Alone’ from their upcoming third album Women In Music Pt III, out on 26th June. Now five preview singles in, the WIMPIII is shaping up to be their most diverse record yet – so far we’ve had sleek pop-rock, a tender guitar-picked ballad, a Lou-Reed inspired bop and a guitar-fuelled banger. Now we can add moody, low-key electronic pop to the mix.
Opening in rather meditative fashion, the track steadily builds up with shuffling beats, layers of ethereal vocals and glitching production to form a sound that flirts on the edges of UK garage. It’s an unexpected combination but one that works brilliantly as they show once again that they’re impossible to predict.
Groove Armada ‘Get Out On The Dancefloor’
One of the most influential forces in dance music returned this week with a fresh sound and brand new track called ‘Get Out On The Dancefloor’. Empire Of The Sun’s Nick Littlemore lends stream-of-consciousness vocals to the infectious production which is all slick grooves and soaring choruses. Along with the single, Groove Armada have confirmed that their first album in ten years is on its way.
The Magic Gang ‘Take Back The Track’
The Magic Gang have given us another insight of their upcoming album ‘Death to the Party’ with the release of the disco-inspired ‘Take Back The Track’. As heard on fellow preview tracks ‘Think’ and ‘What Have You Got To Lose’, it seems that the four-piece have pulled from a wider range of influences on the new record – this latest effort sprinkles their heartfelt indie-pop with disco handclaps, danceable grooves and chanting vocals. Brilliantly retro and full of positive vibes, it has eagerly anticipation album number two.
whenyoung ‘The Prayer’
Limerick trio whenyoung have unveiled a gorgeous pared back ballad called ‘The Prayer’. Recorded in their shared Ramsgate flat in the midst of self-isolation, the stunning track beautifully captures how we’re all feeling right now and crucially offers a glimmer of hope in its poignant lyrics and heartfelt delivery. Pairing Aoife’s delicate vocals with a deeply affecting piano melody, the beauty of the song lies in its simplicity. The band said “”We wrote the song over two days, the music and lyrics just kind of poured out. We wanted to keep it simple and meditative. It was an attempt at creating some kind of sonic embrace, a feeling of hope and love.” Importantly, proceeds from ‘The Prayer’ and the limited edition t-shirts the band have just released will go to Women’s Aid UK and Ireland, who are working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
Fenne Lily ‘To Be A Woman Pt 2’
Following the release of ‘Hyochondriac’ last month, Fenne Lily shows her versatility with its raw and powerful follow-up single ‘To Be A Woman Pt 2’. A track born of restlessness and frustration, it is carried by a pacing beat with calm, rumbling verses that crash to live with angsty storms of guitar. Described as a reclamation of power and a furious retaliation against subordination, she says of the track: “Usually when writing about rage, most of the initial anger I feel towards the person or situation becomes diluted through the recording process, but this song was different. ‘To Be a Woman Pt. 2’ is a call to arms. It’s raw and furious, coming from a place of frustration and pain born from a loss of control and a breach of trust. The result of a manipulative relationship, it’s both a retaliation against subordination and a reclamation of power.”
Haiku Hands ‘Manbitch’
Haiku Hands have teased their debut album with the outrageous ‘Manbitch’. Known for crafting surreal pop bangers as they are for their electrifying live shows, the Australian trio leave nothing behind on this instantly addictive dance-pop anthem. They said: “It’s one of the first songs we ever wrote together. It was written and recorded in Joel Ma’s studio in Melbourne with extra production flavour by Elgusto. We were laughing our heads off as we wrote it.”
“It’s a club banger and a reimagining of the concept ‘bitch’ for anyone from any gender identification who would like to use it, own it and flex it.”
Khruangbin ‘Time (You and I)’
Houston trio Khruangbin have established quite a name for themselves in recent years thanks to their poolside funk grooves and soothing, hypnotic soundscapes. After becoming a cult sensation with their critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Con Todo El Mundo’, the band have now announced that their third full-length is on its way and slated for release on 26th June. Debuted as Annie Mac’s ‘Hottest Record In The World’ earlier this week, our first preview of ‘Morchedai’ is the brilliant ‘Time (You and I)’ – a groovy, hypnotic tune that instantly transports you to sunnier clime.
Alfie Templeman ‘My Best Friend (feat. Coach Party)’
Alfie Templeman has teamed up with his Chess Club label mates for a new single called ‘My Best Friend’. Set to feature on an upcoming EP ‘Happiness in Liquid Form’ which will be released on 15th July, it’s an understated bop which reveals darker, heavier tones to his songwriting. With creeping basslines, electronic flourishes and haunting lyricism, it’s almost Billie Eilish-esque in execution. “It’s about depression and sadness being the only thing that’s always there for you, as if it’s the only thing that really sticks around and lurks behind everything you do,” Alfie explains. “It’s as if these feelings are the closest thing to you, like your best friend.”
Hinds ‘Just Like Kids (Miau)’
Madrid-based four-piece Hinds poke fun at those who give them unsolicited advice on their new single ‘Just Like Kids (Miau)’. Following ‘Riding Solo’ and ‘Good Times Bad Times’, the track is the latest preview of the band’s forthcoming third album ‘The Prettiest Curse’ which is slated for release on June 5th via Lucky Number. A witty, light-hearted rebuttal to all of the hilarious questions, sexist comments and unwarranted advice they have been given in their time as a band, it’s a track that is brimming with confidence and personality.
Hotel Lux ‘Barstool Preaching EP’
Following a stream of impressive single releases, Hotel Lux unveiled their debut EP ‘Barstool Preaching’ via Nice Swan Records last week. It features the Annie Mac-approved ‘Tabloid Newspaper’, a melodic yet rattling rock number that sees Lewis Duffin offer a spoken-word spiel about bending the truth to create a better story, as well as ‘Eddie’s Gaff’, a baggy, meandering cut that’s good-humoured in melody yet features chants about lives being wasted away. Spanning crawling, introspective rock, self-aware post-punk and even jubilant guitar-pop at times, the band’ss frontman has an undeniable charisma and seems to have mastered the manner of rolling off a tale with self-deprecating humour and stark frankness. Carried by a sleazy swagger that few bands are able to get right, it’s a strong and highly enjoyable debut EP that leaves us wanting more.
