MUSIC ROUNDUP: March Releases 2023

Featuring fresh new music by Ocean Tides, Finn Brodie, Iona Zajac, Post Coal Prom Queen & more.

Alexander Romance - BREAK!

After his raw and powerful debut track ‘Lovesick’, Alexander Romance has been releasing music and keeping the hype up ever since. On ‘BREAK!’, the young artist fuses genres together to create something fresh. Combining tenderly plucked acoustic chords with a Trap-influenced beat, the track ebbs and flows through constantly shifting sonic territory.

Finn Brodie - Birthright

The debut release from Edinburgh-born indie-folk artist Finn Brodie, ‘Birthright’ is a striking ballad. Produced by long-time collaborator Andy Monaghan of Frightened Rabbit, Brodie’s new material aches with bittersweet and intimate analysis of identity and relationships.

Gefahrgeist - Reach

Electronic duo Gefahrgeist have been releasing singles since late 2020 and enchanting listeners ever since. Made up of vocalist Fiona Liddell and producer/arranger Niall Rae, the subvert what electronic music can be. With ‘Reach’, the duo fill each corner of the mix with stunning melodies on strings while the thundering drum machines pin the beat down.

Health & Beauty - Never Us

Health & Beauty is the new solo project from Calum Stewart, formerly of The Ninth Wave. This project is Stewarts exploration of dance music with a twist of indie, combining sweeping soundscapes with anthemic melodies. ‘Never Us’ is the third release from Health & Beauty, coming off the back of two double headline shows at Glasgow’s SWG3 with Lost Boy. The track is stacked with arpeggiated chords and rumbling synth bass that creates a heady mix of club ready beats.

Iona Zajac - Lips Feel

Multi-instrumentalist Iona Zajac grew up learning the Clarsach Harp, before joining folk-blues trio Avocet in 2016. Picking up the guitar in 2020, Zajac began forming songs round her new found of love of poetry which would form the material for her 2022 debut ‘Red Corn Poppies’. Having toured with Arab Strap, Idlewild and Hamish Hawk, Zajac has been quickly gathering fans across the country. The latest single ‘Lips Feel’ is a lovesick ballad that tugs at the heartstrings with each plucked chord. Evoking a melancholic atmosphere with her smokey vocals, Zajac will continue to flourish her artistic talent with further releases.

Lo Rays - Algorithm Gods

With continued support from BBC Introducing Scotland, the post-apocalyptic pop of Lo Rays has been infecting everyone with their enticing sonic pallet. On the latest track, ‘Algorithm Gods’, the four-piece fire on all cylinders with this sleek, hard-hitting alt-rock anthem. The wall of synthesisers behind the delay-soaked guitar line brings together elements of Cyberpop and distorted guitars in a seamless fusion.

Namesbliss x Vagrant Real Estate ft. DeeRiginal - Biggest Belief

The all-star collaboration between frequent collaborators Namesbliss and Vagrant Real Estate and London MC DeeRiginal proves to be one of the hottest releases from the Scotland rap scene to date. The rhythmic instrumental provided by Vagrant Real Estate sets up Namesbliss and DeeRiginal to spit their respective bars with the highest amount of passion.

Ocean Tides - Can’t You See

Coming as the first single since their debut self-titled album, Glasgow Metalcore outfit Ocean Tides have released their new single ‘Can’t You See’. Complete with screaming guitars and guttural vocals, the band fill the track with infinite amounts of energy and righteous grooves.

Post Coal Prom Queen - Wheeling Through The Void

Retrofuturist electronic sirens Post Coal Prom Queen return with their sonic portal to another world in the form of Wheeling Through the Void. Preceding their first official album due in April, titled ‘Music For First Contact’, the track is a cacophony of otherworldly sound scapes. Bubbling bass and eerie vocal stylings ripple through the track as it pulls you further in to this new territory.

sarya - Terrified

Emotronic-bedroom pop artist sarya create a world into their own with the breathtaking synthesis of polyrhythms and gorgeous melodies. Now based in Scotland, the Korean-born artist has been releasing music since 2018, with all production done within the confines of their bedroom. ‘Terrified’ is the first single of the year for sarya, a slow burning intro leads way to a whirlwind of winding vocals runs and dense drum tracks.