AS a great year of music comes to an end, we decided to take a look at some of the top Scottish acts who are well worth looking out for next year.

Crash Club: Crash Club are an out-and-out dance band who will almost certainly leave their mark on 2016. Their closing set at this year’s Tenement Trail festival is just one highlight from a year in which they played the T Break Stage and the SAMAs.

Although recognition is building, Crash Club haven’t quite hit full stride yet, and with a new record peeking its head out in the distance, next year could be the moment the electronic pioneers explode.

Recondition, which features Medicine Men’s Ian MacKinnon, is their best release to date, and if they can continue to match that energy and drive they will do just fine.

WHITE: They might be on our bands-to-watch-out-for list, but WHITE are no secret. In a few short months the band have propelled themselves to the forefront, and it is difficult to imagine them staying quiet in 2016. With plenty of new material written, we have our fingers crossed for an album, but if that doesn’t materialise quite yet they are sure to release plenty of dancefloor-filling tunes to keep us occupied.

Sweaty Palms: The alternative Glasgow band only recently came on to our radar after the release of one of the singles of the year in the form of Captain of the Rugby Team. Grungy and experimental with an inventive post-punk sound, Sweaty Palms easily have what it takes to make the step up. If you want to get an idea of what to expect from them next year, just listen to the Hollywood Wax EP. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

Be Charlotte: Dundee’s newest musical sensation is definitely on the cusp of something special. Mixing different genres and styles, Charlotte Brimner may be one of the most adaptable artists in the country. Recent collaborations with the likes of Hector Bizerk have won her a whole new fan base, and going by her live shows, it is obvious there are plenty of great songs stored away. Electro, pop, hip-hop and soul – all mixed into one.

The Lapelles: This fresh-faced indie-rock outfit may have many similarities to their predecessors, but there is a real edge about their music. Recent singles Snakehips and Seventeen are nothing groundbreaking, but they do show just how much this East Kilbride five-piece are capable of. Their live shows are far from a jaunty sing-a-long and leave a lasting impression. If you get the chance, go catch them in action. It won’t be long before the Lapelle bug catches on.

Ciaran Mac: Having received support from the likes of Loki and Solareye (Stanley Odd), Glasgow rapper Ciaran Mac has already generated a buzz as a promising up-and-comer.

Since first showcasing his crisp flow and dazzling wordplay on debut EP Take Your Time, the 23-year-old has enjoyed support slots with everyone from local six-piece Stanley Odd to American superstars like Machine Gun Kelly.

As Scotland’s hip-hop scene has grown extraordinarily, Mac’s tongue-in-cheek humour and artistic approach have helped him stand out. This year he might just grab everyone else’s attention.

Apache Darling: When navigating the saturated world of synth-led pop music, it can prove difficult to find acts that offer a new perspective. Glasgow duo Apache Darling, above, led by imposing vocalist Stefanie Lawrence and backed by synth player Andrew Black, have already carved their own niche.

The most logical comparison would be Chvrches, given the duo’s fondness for 808 rhythms and intense synth progressions, but other influences are harder to pin down.

Lawrence’s melodies are particularly haunting at times – debut single Firebird being a breathtaking example.

You won’t have to wait long for a chance to see their live show – they headline King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut on January 20 as part of the venue’s new year festival.

The Van T’s: Twin-led band The Van T’s are another act that belie their collective age. Channelling both 60s-style surf rock riffs and 90s shoegaze noise, the Van Thompson sisters top it all off with their natural vocal harmonies.

Having dropped one of the EPs of 2015 in Laguna Babe, the quartet have improved immensely in only a year.

Their visceral performance at the Tenement Trail festival was a specific highlight.

The band have already announced that they’ll be playing Brew at the Bog in June, but Glasgow readers will doubtless have plenty of gig opportunities before then.

WOMPS: In November we revealed that grunge duo WOMPS were the first band to record with Nirvana engineer Steve Albini since Mogwai. If that doesn’t give you a picture of how raw this band’s sound is, nothing will.

Scotland has a strong record in producing bands that are unashamedly heavy, but WOMPS’ minimalist set-up makes it all the more remarkable.

While booming drums and fuzzy guitar lines collide, there’s also a melodic bent to frontman Ewan Grant’s writing that makes them more palatable.

Whether you sample them on the radio or in a sweatier environment, rest assured you’ll hear what all the fuss is about.

Gus Harrower: Though still only a teenager, Edinburgh’s Gus Harrower boasts a startling maturity that manifests itself through his songwriting. This is particularly pronounced in his deft Bon Iver-inspired arrangements.

His debut EP Mystery, which came out this year, sums up why he’s one to watch. In spite of the title, Harrower’s personable style of vocal delivery is compounded by a gift for storytelling.

He might be the youngest artist on our list, but his potential is as marked any of the others.

Eyes of Others: Labelling himself as “post-pub couldn’t get in the club music”, solo adventurer Eyes of Others, aka John Bryden, has a good grasp of why his sound is so appealing. His electronic soundscapes are some of the most inviting we’ve heard over the past year.

Crossing analogue synths with dubstep and post-punk influences, Bryden has the sort of rare feel for textured production that countless DJs couldn’t replicate.

After releasing his debut Nightwalking EP late this year, the timescale for an album release is uncertain. Regardless of that, it’s recommended you check out his intimate live show while you still can.