Scottish New Music Roundup: May 2024

Before we get into this month, here's a nod towards some of what we missed in April. There were new singles from Philip Jon Taylor, Be Charlotte, Lewis McLaughlin, Tamzene, Cathal Murphy, Priya, Zoe Graham and Nina Nesbitt, a mixtape from Joell, an EP from swim school, and the list goes on. A reminder here to follow our Music Now playlist on Spotify which gets updated with all of this good stuff every Friday.

Then comes May. While Point Nemo might refer to a point in the ocean that's farthest away from land, it’s also the title of award-winning Edinburgh duo No Windows’ second EP, which sees the pair sounding more grounded than ever. Due for release on 3 May via Fat Possum, it’s the first time Morgan Morris and Verity Slangen have written together, and the first time they’ve worked with an external producer – Ali Chant (Dry Cleaning; Yard Act) mixed the record with the pair at his Bristol studio – and the payoff is well worth it. Across Point Nemo’s five tracks, they deliver a more crisp, more mature, more assured and more confident sound than before, with a strong cinematic aesthetic; it’s a beautiful piece of work that leaves you wanting more.

16 May brings the long-awaited The Gitika Project from Edinburgh artist Bee Asha. The project comes in the form of an eight-track album titled Goodbye, Gracious which flows beautifully as songs melt into one another traversing jazz, garage, trip-hop, R’n’B, spoken word, house and more, cautiously navigating its way through tricky subject matters like deception, dishonesty, trust issues, toxic friendships, self-care and healing. The midpoint Message fae Ma brings a comfort that only a mother can; it’s a beautiful touch that places Bee Asha as the main character, despite what closer Grey might say.

The following day, rEDOLENT’s debut album, dinny greet, arrives via Post Electric, evoking feelings of giddiness, claustrophobia and hopefulness. Andrew Turnbull’s skittering drums make your chest feel tight, but there’s a hushed emotional warmth to Robin Herbert’s vocal delivery that keeps things soft, almost soothing, like everything might be okay? That coupled with thoughtful, infectious tumbling electronic motifs manage to keep things bright and balanced, making for an optimistic record that satisfyingly always feels on the brink of discomfort.

rEDOLENT. Image: Rory Barnes.

On 24 May more fast-paced drums can be heard across MACHINISM, the latest record from Man of Moon, which sees singer and guitarist Chris Bainbridge joined by drumming behemoth Iain Stewart (Pictish Trail / Bronto Skylift). Leaning into influences across kraut, psychedelia, rock and electronica, MACHINISM is spirited, hefty and ultimately sounds massive as it twists into unexpected shapes across 11 tracks. Sometimes the unrelenting onslaught of instrumentations means Bainbridge’s vocals act more like a tool to shape melodies, but there’s balance to be found and less busy moments allow the richness of his timbre to punch through as topics of “doom scrolling, technological reliance and servitude to our encroaching AI overlords” are explored.

From one type of doom scrolling to another, 31 May sees the arrival of The Flat Earth, the debut album from Alex Auldsmith, Scott Bathgate and Alex Palmer, aka Doom Scroller. A record that refuses to stick to one genre, or adhere to a classic album structure, The Flat Earth is bold, dynamic and packed with ideas, but it all really works rather beautifully together. Compositionally, everything feels meticulously placed and thought out as the record dances through rich production and Auldsmith’s spine-tingling vocals at a gorgeous pace, picking up a roll call of contributors along the way – Kapil Seshasayee, Iona Lee (Acolyte) and Gloria Black (Maranta) included. Songs work on their own, but as a continuous and cohesive piece of work, bookended by End 1 and End 2, The Flat Earth could be left on an endless loop, as if we needed more proof that the Earth is round.

But wait, there’s more. The top of the month brings us the vintage sounding, dripping-in-soul For Who To Say (1 May), the latest project from London-based, Edinburgh rapper Oyakhire. On 3 May, Skye bagpiper Malin Lewis releases Halocline via Hudson Records, and alt-folk artist Seán R. McLaughlin & The Wind-Up Crows release Goodnight, Lad via Stitch Records. On 10 May, Arab Strap’s latest, I’m totally fine with it, don’t give a fuck anymore, arrives via Rock Action; Rick Anthony and David McAulay release We Are the Animals in the Night, their debut as Afterlands via Lost Map; and LYLO release Thoughts of Never via El Rancho Records.

The following Friday sees the release of Lou Mclean’s latest EP KILLJOY, as well as Isobel Campbell’s sixth studio album Bow to Love via Cooking Vinyl (pick up our May issue for a full review), while the 24th sees Randolph’s Leap frontman Adam Ross release Littoral Zone on Fika Recordings. There’s also a slew of singles to be had this month from the likes of Karys, Linzi Clark, Saint Sappho, Gurry Wurry, racecar, Midnight Ambulance, Thundermoon and loads more.

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Listen to our Music Now: New Scottish Music playlist in the player above – follow on Spotify, updated every Friday