MUSIC ROUNDUP: August Releases 2023
AUGUST! What an incredible month of live music it has been with the likes of Pitch Scotland, Connect Festival, King Tuts Summer Nights, Edinburgh International Festival taking up our weekend’s - take a bow Scotland! As much as we adore going to gigs we also love discovering new talent, reviewing it and sharing it with you all! Lets dive in to this month’s music roundup feature with 10 tracks from across Scotland - we have expirimental jazz, pop, alternative, and rap - trust us when we say there is something in this playlist for everyone!
Words: Ewan MacDonald
55 , Gus Harrower - Maryam
Latest sensation on the Scottish Hip-Hop scene is the artist known as 55, debuting in 2022 with his single ‘Kintsugi’, the artist has gone on to record his debut album ‘Dreich’ which dropped at the start of August. In collaboration with Scottish singer/songwriter Gus Harrower, who delivers the stunning vocal hook, 55 has epitomised the title of his album within this song. The maudlin instrumental and Harrower’s hook cast a muddy grey cloud under which 55 can spin his emotionally impactful rhymes.
Brenda - Sure As
BRENDA is the culmination of the musical force of Apsi Witan, Litty Hughes and Flore De Hoog. The trio personify the raw, unfettered talent into the heart of BRENDA’s debut self-titled LP released on Last Night From Glasgow. On the track ‘Sure As’, the band mould synths and warbling baselines into a monolithic sound as the trio each contribute their own haunting vocals that slinks each melody around this monumental song.
Madani - Lebron
Since his solo debut release at the start of June, Madani has been causing chaos within the Scottish Rap scene with his venomous bars and slick production. Having worked on production duties with Sean Focus, CHEF and JAAD, Madani knows the game in side and out. On the latest single ‘Lebron’, the trap-infused bars flow from the mic like fiery jabs to the gut while the booming instrumental slithers along.
Majesty Palm - Easy
Glasgow based Pop darlings Majesty Palm have been absolutely killing it in 2023, with a live session on BBC Introducing Scotland, a headline at the Hug and Pint and slots at King Tuts Summer Nights and Tenement Trail. It is no question that Majesty Palm are set for huge things, and if there latest single ‘Easy’ is anything to go by, it may be sooner than you think. Powerful synths and a throbbing baseline propel this track into a flurry of gorgeous vocal harmonies at the high point of each chorus. Packed with hooks and punchy beats, ‘Easy’ really shines bright in the brief but powerful catalogue of the band.
MistahBohze - BoomBarClaart/FIFTY
Glasgow Hip Hop Legend MistahBohze has debuted a hot new beat on South Side Deluxe You Tube Channel. BoomBarClaart/FIFTY is direct and to the point with its Two Tone Infused beats, the Rapper is able to deliver quick fire rhymes that will have any adversary running for the hills.
Queen of Harps - Analog Freestyle ft Joe Taylor
Queen of Harps has returned with this charming new track ‘Analog’, featuring Joe Taylor. The Rapper, Harpist and Spoken word artist has created a winding Jungle-infused track that clearly desires to be played in a packed club. Shaking baselines descend as the breakbeat holds the rhythm. Both Queen of Harps and Joe Taylor get to flex their rhyming skills as the pair lay down the smoothest bars that roll right around this hypnotic groove.
Rosie H Sullivan - Chapters
With the glorious debut EP ‘123 Degrees East’ arriving earlier this year, Rosie H Sullivan has more heartstrings to pull with this latest single ‘Chapters’. This country-tinged ditty moseys through with banjo in tow, as Sullivan carves a bittersweet lyrical mosaic. Sullivan’s vocals drip like honey between each brushes of the drums and rising horn sections to create a lush texture to coat the headphones and speakers across Scotland.
Serena Sophia - Tell Me
With a background in worldwide musical theatre, Serena Sophia has been carving her place in Scotlands Pop pantheon with her smokey vocals and sleek instrumentals. With airplay from BBC Introducing, Kiss FM and Amazing Radio already under her belt, Serena continues to garner momentum with each release. On the latest release ‘Tell Me’, Serena packs a powerful punch with each vocal run. The woozy synths and drum machines craft a smooth foundation for the artist to really express her vocal and lyrical prowess.
Tao, James Mackay - Noctilucent
Noctilucent is the jazz-fusion odyssey from musical powerhouse Tao, featuring fellow musician James MacKay. This track ensnares you with the weaving Saxophone melody and subtle drum and bass guitar groove before it completely envelopes you in this glorious fusion between funk, jazz and rock.
Uninvited - Gonna Get Better
Glasgow’s certified rock stars Uninvited have taken the country by storm with their insightful and hard-hitting songwriting. On this latest cut from the four-piece band, ‘Gonna Get Better’ is utterly anthemic in every way possible. Having appeared at festivals like TRNSMT, Leeds Festival and 2000 Trees this year alone, it is clear that the band are writing for increasingly bigger stages. The track is fitted with all the trappings of an arena ready band, serene guitars chords lead you in before the colossal chorus takes charge with its snaking hooks.