POP
Middlesborough-born Chris Corner, aka IAMX, has always found that his gothic take on synthpop translates better on the European continent.
His latest single Happiness is hardly a departure from his previous material, exploring isolation, nihilism and faux-eroticism over three minutes of intense bassline and piano gongs.
As on his previous material, Corner’s voice is the real stand-out here. He evokes the high-end quivers of Muse’s Matthew Bellamy or Placebo’s Brian Molko, but conveys his dramatics much more sensually: through whispers and tremoring vibrato.
ROCK
Who’d have thought that Krautrock could sound so modern and fresh? Glasgow quintet Outblinker will divide listeners with their newest official single Pink.
At its core, the track is indebted to the progressive approach of Neu! and Tangerine Dream, with synthesisers whizzing over a motorised rhythm. The frantic drums flip the track on its head entirely though, leading the listener down a rabbit-hole of endless left turns.
It’s unsurprising that several of the band’s members are members of other Scottish post-punk projects though.
For all the electro stylings, Outblinker still seem primarily focused on building on a catchy groove, and Pink has certainly been given a belter.
TRAD/FOLK
Nothing can prepare you for the otherworldly vocal harmonies and atmospheric sound of Iain Morrison. Quite how he’s gone unnoticed for so long is a mystery and Eas, Gaelic for “cascading waterfall”, is a track that deserves to be heard.
The Isle of Lewis songwriter is well known within the Scottish traditional scene, but his scope is more far-reaching here. Inspired by a melody from an ancient piping tune, Morrison manages to capture such instrumental intricacies with the use of little more than his nuanced vocals. The arrangement is undeniably stunning too, though. Arpeggiated guitar picking and shifting drum patterns mesh with gorgeous strings counter-melodies, make for a dense folk masterpiece.
HIP HOP
London act The Four Owls proved they had the skills to go toe-to-toe with America’s best when they drafted in the legendary DJ Premier on their latest album Natural Order.
The latest single, Assassination, solidifies the group’s status with classic jazzy production and fired-up verses from each of the respective “owls”. Each of the emcees has their own distinct flows and styles, but creative imagery is a common trait among all four.
In a month where Scottish rap acts have repeatedly broken new ground – notably Hector Bizerk headlining the Transmissions stage at T in the Park – the Four Owls are showing that the English scene is also in fine fettle.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here