MUSIC ROUNDUP: February Releases 2022

Featuring tracks by Swiss Portrait, Pretty Preachers Club, brownbear, Kathryn Joseph & more.

Welcome to SAMA February music roundup! As always we dive into 10 exciting releases from across Scotland for you! Listen to the playlist on the links below, or follow us on Spotify @officialsama

Words: Ewan MacDonald

In alphabetical order

Blanck Mass - Montana (Main Theme)

Coming as part of the score for the new motion picture Ted K, legendary artist Blanck Mass (Benjamin Power of Fuck Buttons fame) brings his heady mix of pounding electronica to the forefront of the scene once again. Kicking off with the thundering drums and a menacing synth bass, Montana is an unrelenting almost tribal track that features some of the most engaging production Power’s has produced to date.

brownbear - One More Night

With such accolades as support slots under The Libertines and airplay on BBC Radio 1, Ayrshire based artist Brownbear has been slowly climbing onto the ladder of success. Whether it be selling out King Tuts or appearing at Alexandra Parade in London, Brownbear have been crafting their acoustic driven pop-rock to perfection. With this latest single One More Night, expert melodies are crafted over luxurious acoustic guitar and syncopated lead. Catch Brownbear at their headline show at Stereo May 25th.

Goodnight Louisa - Only a Matter of Time

The eagerly awaited debut album from Edinburgh synth-pop artist, Goodnight Louisa has finally arrived. After a small run of shows in celebration of the release of Human Danger, the reception has been incredible. With tracks like Only A Matter of Time being unleashed in a live setting, in all their sweeping synth glory. With a snappy beat backing the angelic vocals of Louise McCraw, Only A Matter of Time is evolves into a storming, bass driven banger.

Kathryn Joseph - what is keeping you alive makes me wanna kill them for

The eternally ethereal singer/songwriter Kathryn Joseph has returned with her first single since 2019. With nothing more than a steady rise of chords from her electronic piano, Joseph excels in her vocal performance. With stunningly, heart wrenching lyrics delivered in a way that reaches for the heart from the first note and doesn’t let go till the song fades out. Don’t miss the chance to see Kathryn Joseph support The Twilight Sad at the Glasgow Barrowlands this April.

Man of the Minch - Gone (ft. Broken Chanter)

The combination of two of Scotlands finest acoustic singer/songwriters, Man of the Minch has graced us with this stunning collaboration with Broken Chanter. With Man of the Minch aka Pedro Cameron bagging the Up and Coming Artist of 2019 at the Scottish Trad Awards, the artist has been on an upward trajectory since with his fusion of Trad and Celtic music with pop music staples. A wave of powerful yet calming melodies spun by both Cameron and Broken Chanter, Gone is a testament to this unique fusion of genres.

Nova - Survival

The award winning MC/Vocalist Nova has released her second single of the year with the impressive Survival. With the swirling pitched vocals providing the driving force and main hook of this track. The confidence from Nova oozes out effortlessly, as her sleek flow snakes through the trap style beat.

Pretty Preachers Club - GRLfriend

Formed out of lockdown, dream-pop two piece Pretty Preachers Club have been quickly making a name for themselves in the live scene post-pandemic. With a headline at Broadcast in Glasgow already under their belt, the band continue to craft their own band of hazy guitar driven pop. GRLfriend is immediately catchy with its vocal hooks and glistening lead guitar. With a slot at this years Doune The Rabbit Hole set in place, this year can only provide good things for the exciting duo.

Rebecca Vasmant, Nadya Albertsson - Broken Biscuits

One of the hottest DJ’s to come out of Glasgow in the last few years, Rebecca Vasmant once again merges jazz and electronic dance music into a wonderful cocoon of musical fusion. Teaming up with the extraordinary vocalist Nadya Albertsson for the latest single Broken Biscuits, this collaboration is a sublime mix of jazz brass and potent breakbeats.

Sean Focus ft. F9ine (109) - Way 2 Much

The multi-faceted Sean Focus merges his skills as a rapper, producer and engineer to create some of the most hard hitting Rap/Drill music to come out of the UK. The Zimbabwe/Scotland native, Focus teams up with F9ine for Way 2 Much. Trading off bars each artist gets a chance to flex their respective flows, tearing up the beat heavy track.

Swiss Portrait - Paralyzed

Edinburgh based musician Michael K. Terrance aka Swiss Portraits has graced us with a follow-up single after his excellent debut Familiar Patterns. Paralysed continues to craft a world of hazy DIY dream pop that is Swiss Portraits calling card. A chipper beat propels the subtly catchy lead guitar line, as Terrance croons his falsetto over the top.