Franz Ferdinand, Camera Obscura, Biffy Clyro, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai, Boards of Canada; all wonderful musicians, who all hail from the same place - Scotland! While I could go on about how many great bands have come from here, today, instead, let's shine some light on a few, more current, acts who may not be well recognized outside of Scotland or the UK (or those who are, but you still should listen to them anyway if not!). Anyway, let's begin!
Young Fathers
Young Fathers are a pop and hip-hop group who formed in Edinburgh in 2008. The trio behind Young Fathers - Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and "G" Hastings - find influences from their mixed unbringings, everywhere from Nigeria, Liberia, Maryland, and Edinburgh itself. In 2014, their debut "Dead" was released, which went on to win the prestigious Mercury Prize. This year, they released their second album "White Men Are Black Men Too" to universal critical acclaim.
Chvrches
The band behind the hit "The Mother We Share" are worth listening to beyond one song. Chvrches are a female-fronted electronic band from Glasgow. Formed in 2011, Chvrches has received both a lot of commercial and critical success in just four years. With lyrics are sharp and melancholy as their staccato keyboards and smooth synths, Chvrches are both clever and catchy - a rare combination.
We Were Promised Jetpacks
If you're more of the sad indie rock persuasion, WWPJP is a great band for you. WWPJP were formed in Edinburgh in 2003, and are label mates with other Scottish rock bands such as Biffy Clyro. Like the other bands on this list, WWPJP have received a lot of critical success, though aren't as commerical or mainstream as more pop-based acts. If you like heavy guitar-based songs with emotional, punchy lyrics, you should definitely check them out.
Paolo Nutini
There is no doubt in my mind that you've (probably) heard a Paolo Nutini song. From the infectious "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" or mellow "Last Request" and "Candy", he's had a few hits in his time (though he's not a big name on the charts). While you may have heard these songs, have you ever sat down and listened to an album of his? No? Then do so! From acoustic songwriting ("These Streets", to soulful up-tempo jazz-pop ("Sunny Side Up"), to funk ("Caustic Love"), Paolo has covered a lot of sonic ground. There's no song that I could choose to represent his music as a whole so I just chose one of the singles off his latest album. Paolo Nutini is one of Scotland's most successful current acts, and he's also ridiculously talented and fine as fuq.
Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit are also an indie-rock band, hailing from Selkirk. They are labelmates with other Scottish rock bands like We Were Promised Jetpacks, but are less heavy are more sonically traditional. The band currently have four albums, all which have been critical successes. For those who are a fan of rock and indie, Frightened Rabbit hit all the right notes - good lyrics, catchy choruses, great beats, and a large range of songs to listen to.
sources:
one, two, three, four, five.
Young Fathers
Young Fathers are a pop and hip-hop group who formed in Edinburgh in 2008. The trio behind Young Fathers - Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and "G" Hastings - find influences from their mixed unbringings, everywhere from Nigeria, Liberia, Maryland, and Edinburgh itself. In 2014, their debut "Dead" was released, which went on to win the prestigious Mercury Prize. This year, they released their second album "White Men Are Black Men Too" to universal critical acclaim.
Chvrches
The band behind the hit "The Mother We Share" are worth listening to beyond one song. Chvrches are a female-fronted electronic band from Glasgow. Formed in 2011, Chvrches has received both a lot of commercial and critical success in just four years. With lyrics are sharp and melancholy as their staccato keyboards and smooth synths, Chvrches are both clever and catchy - a rare combination.
We Were Promised Jetpacks
If you're more of the sad indie rock persuasion, WWPJP is a great band for you. WWPJP were formed in Edinburgh in 2003, and are label mates with other Scottish rock bands such as Biffy Clyro. Like the other bands on this list, WWPJP have received a lot of critical success, though aren't as commerical or mainstream as more pop-based acts. If you like heavy guitar-based songs with emotional, punchy lyrics, you should definitely check them out.
Paolo Nutini
There is no doubt in my mind that you've (probably) heard a Paolo Nutini song. From the infectious "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" or mellow "Last Request" and "Candy", he's had a few hits in his time (though he's not a big name on the charts). While you may have heard these songs, have you ever sat down and listened to an album of his? No? Then do so! From acoustic songwriting ("These Streets", to soulful up-tempo jazz-pop ("Sunny Side Up"), to funk ("Caustic Love"), Paolo has covered a lot of sonic ground. There's no song that I could choose to represent his music as a whole so I just chose one of the singles off his latest album. Paolo Nutini is one of Scotland's most successful current acts, and he's also ridiculously talented and fine as fuq.
Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit are also an indie-rock band, hailing from Selkirk. They are labelmates with other Scottish rock bands like We Were Promised Jetpacks, but are less heavy are more sonically traditional. The band currently have four albums, all which have been critical successes. For those who are a fan of rock and indie, Frightened Rabbit hit all the right notes - good lyrics, catchy choruses, great beats, and a large range of songs to listen to.
sources:
one, two, three, four, five.