Scotland’s music scene barely needs any introduction.
From Mogwai to The Twilight Sad, Hudson Mohawke to Jackmaster, the nation seems adept at throwing up deeply individual talents, capable of defining and re-defining genres almost at will.
Right now, though, there seems to be a palpable buzz around Scottish music. A flurry of hot shows have seen major label scouts high-tail it north of the border, swapping high tea for a dose of Irn Bru and a steak pie.
Clash counts down some of the new Scottish talent who could define 2016.
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KLOE
When ‘Touch’ ignited the internet in November it felt as if KLOE’s rise was assured, unavoidable, a done deal. Yet her spectacular arrival belies years of work and countless false starts – just 19 years old, her obvious talent is matched to an incredible sense of ambition. Driving harder and faster with each passing day, KLOE’s songwriting is youthful, for sure, yet almost instantly universal.
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Model Aeroplanes
Dundee’s Model Aeroplanes are quite ludicrously young. Fresh of face and flaxen of hair, their angelic looks mask an impish sense of humour. Recently snapped up by Island Records, there’s a tropical tinge to their music that belies their Caledonian roots – well, Dundee is the sunniest city in Scotland, after all. With new music due in 2016, Model Aeroplanes could well be huge.
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WHITE
Glasgow five-piece WHITE share the shimmering indie glamour that made early Franz Ferdinand so seductive, but match this with a low-rent, austerity-era sharpness. Releases to date are marked by an arch wit, those angular riffs set against some genuinely engrossing word play. Jarvis Cocker re-imagined as the leader of a Glasgow razor-gang, you shouldn’t let WHITE pass you by.
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Neon Waltz
Caithness troops Neon Waltz should scarcely need any introduction to Clash readers – the band previously played our Great Escape stage and are Next Wave favourites. Psychedelic songwriting with a Mersey tinge – the band are huge Michael Head fans – their innate musicality is matched to a shrewd melodic sense and a blossoming aura of invincibility. Expect to hear a lot more from this group.
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Catholic Action
The coterie of musicians, promoters and ne’er-do-wells that surround Fuzzkill Records encompass some of Scotland’s brightest – if most unusual – musical lights. A vital DIY imprint, Catholic Action perhaps burn brighter than most – lullabies to pulverise, the band’s fuzz-laden output thus far suggests that a gentle, melodic heart beats underneath that killer noize.
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Spinning Coin
One of the most fascinating aspects of Glasgow’s music scene is the manner in which established totems can rejuvenate themselves on a near weekly basis. Domino offshoot Geographic is run by Stephen McRobbie – of Pastels fame – and the label is currently gearing up to release a potentially fascinating 12 inch from Spinning Coin. A four-piece who draw on experience with The Yawns, Breakfast Muff and Fast Trophies, Spinning Coin sound like, well, Spinning Coin.
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Denis Sulta
Numbers emerged from Glasgow record emporium Rub A Dub, and it returns there with a new release from Denis Sulta. Gainfully employed at the shop, the rising techno don earned his stripes amid some of the city’s most intense electronic devotees. New release ‘It’s Only Real’ matches intricate melodics but still packs a serious punch, sitting in that curiously Glaswegian techno lineage but still standing up strong on its own terms.
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