"I've Got A Friend" by Catburgers / Debut LP in September

 

I have been instructed that my summer vacation has ended. From whom was such a draconian edict handed down? Well, the spouse, the office, and a few blog readers -- I was badly outnumbered. Harsh, to be sure, but not entirely unexpected. So, chained to the desk, we begin again.

The first question is what to bring to our readers. When I began writing for the blog about two decades ago I focused a lot of my time on Scottish indie, so it seemed appropriate to write the first post-vacation post about the fabulous news that Slumberland Records has unearthed the never released album album by Edinburgh's Catburgers. Titled Galashiels, it will be available on September 25. We fully expect that this album will be treasured by lovers of jangle, C86 and twee-edged post punk. By the way, Galashiels is a town southeast of Edinburgh.

The first single from the album is the buoyant "I've Got a Friend". A listening note: While we included the video for atmosphere, on our players the Bandcamp link delivered better sound quality. 

Galashiels will be available in digital, CD and vinyl formats.

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

The Just Joans - Romantic Visions of Scotland

 

There are bands that sing about mutual love, sunshine, puppies, triumphs, redemption and similar uplifting things. Then there are The Just Joans. This band makes us happy by singing about disappointments, regrets, failures, shipwrecked romances and the other bits and bobs we call real life. And it all goes down well because they do it with a keep eye, sharp wit, and warmth. The music is damn fine as well, recalling the best of shaggy UK indie pop.

On Romantic Visions of Scotland, the band's recent release, the humor on offer is evident just by perusing the song titles, such as "Strictly Presbyterian", "Back On The Meds", "Romantic Visions (Prepare For Disappointment)", and "Drinking On A Weeknight". Moreover, The Just Joans include lyrics to enhance the listener's enjoyment of the songs. And those of us who have ever sought inspiration to write a song can only admire the band's knack for turning an ordinary event of daily life into a tasty slice of pop music. Please listen to the album and see if you agree with our assessment that this band is a indie pop treasure.

The Just Joans are David Pope and Kate Pope, joined on this album by Chris Elkin, Fraser Ford, Arion Xenos and Jason Sweeney. Additional contributions were made by Maya Burman-Roy (cello), Fenwick Lawson (trombone), and Stuart Pollack (trumpet). Romantic Visions of Scotland is out now via Fika Recordings.

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Two more delicious singles from The Just Joans

 

The two most recent singles from the upcoming LP by Glasgow's The Just Joans demonstrate the band's versatility as well as their quality. With their typical humorous approach to the theme, "Oh Veronica, How Right You Are" lampoons a songwriter self-indulgently expounding on his lousy love-life. The preceding "Limpet" is a rousing slice of northern soul that moves our feet and cheers our soul.

And even more on the good news side (and lordy, we could all do with some good news these days), the band's new LP, Romantic Visions of Scotland, is due on January 23 via Fika.

"Oh Veronica, How Right You Are"

"Limpet"

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Bubblegum Lemonade - To Surf With Love

 

Trying to choose a favorite album of the seven recorded by Glasgow's Bubblegum Lemonade is an effort so fruitless that even we wastrels at WYMA won't do it. Infused with jangle, infectious melodies and sincerity, this project's music fits perfectly in our channel of cozy delights. But having written that, we have to admit that the recently released To Surf With Love has impressed us beyond our pre-release expectations. For this album chief cook and bottlewasher Laz McCluskey has been inspired by the mid-'90s French romantic comedy A Summer's Tale and has arranged his creations with a seaside vibe. His witty title puns on that theme and the famous '60s hit by Scots artist Lulu. The result is a delightful collection of connected tunes with emotional depth and, while true to Laz's jangling semi-shoegaze path, a range of tempos and stylistic expressions. Take a dive into the world of Bubblegum Lemonade, you will find the water to be the perfect temperature.

Bubblegum Lemonade is the solo project of musician and songwriter Laz McCluskey whose other musical endeavor is Strawberry Whiplash (which also recently released an album). To Surf With Love is out now in digital and CD formats via Matinee Recordings.

Matinée Recordings · Bubblegum Lemonade - To Surf With Love sampler

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"Here Come The Rugby Boys" by The Just Joans

 

When Scotland's The Just Joans announce an upcoming album titled Romantic Visions of Scotland we can draw several conclusions. First, we know we will like the album because, well, it is The Just Joans and we love them. Second, the album will have good songs with lyrics worth our attention. Third, those lyrics often will be snarky, humorous, self-depreciating, gloomy, bitter and sarcastic. Fourth, the visions of Scotland depicted in the song may well not be romantic, at least not in any traditional manner. Since the album isn't due until January 23, we won't say a lot more now. But we invite you to feast your ears on the first single, "Here Come The Rugby Boys" recounting songwriter David Pope's less than favorable memories of a season of youth rugby. Its like Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields fronting The Kinks covering Tullycraft, and who can't appreciate that?

Romantic Visions of Scotland will be released via Fika Recordings.

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The Cords - The Cords

 

If you are an indie pop fan you probably will read about Scots duo The Cords in multiple publications. There is a reason: They have earned it. Sure, that is our opinion. But it also is the opinion of other music writers, concert promoters, and other bands. And when knowledgeable label heads like the boss at Slumberland Records and the veteran indie popsters Rob and Amelia (Heavenly/Talula Gosh/Catenary Wires/Swansea Sound/Pooh Sticks) at Skepwax Records sign a band for their debut LP, you can be sure that there is substance behind the chatter. And while sisters Eva and Grace Tedeschi can feel lucky to appear on those labels, we suspect that the labels feel lucky to have them on the roster.

And this leads us to their self-titled debut. Jangle and melody abound, and there is that welcome familiarity of the rush of vocals and guitar that we heard with Shop Assistants, The Vaselines, C-86 bands and Sarah Records favorites. But in our view the special ingredient is way that those familiar and cherished styles and sounds are molded into something present and now by two talented artists born much more recently. It is like going into a vintage clothing shop and finding garments you want with delightful and unexpected details -- an unusual contrasting collar, an offbeat color, or an unusual cut to the lapels. It all is delivered sincerely, but also a dose of wry humor and an understanding that indie pop songs are best at a breezy pace and don't stick around too long.

The Cords is out now via Slumberland Records and Skepwax Records.

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"When You Said Goodbye" by The Cords

 

[Sigh] "When You Say Goodbye" is a song that is so perfect it should be delivered in a blue Tiffany box delivered by a uniformed footman. Although, since it is heartbreak pop, in our personal experience it might be delivered by a angry ex along with a hastily packed suitcase of our belongings and a command to get out of her sight. The song is the latest single from Grace and Eve Tedeschi, the impossibly talented Scots sibling duo known as The Cords. It is taken from their upcoming self-titled album due later this month from Skepwax and Slumberland. Have you placed your order?

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"Fabulist" and "I'm Not Sad" by The Cords

 

Well, well, well -- this is exciting stuff and it is only a taster for the upcoming album. What are we writing about? The two songs shared so far from the upcoming debut album by Greenock, Scotland's The Cords. Comprised of sisters Eva and Grace Tedeschi, the band has attracted the attention of some of the best indie artists from Scotland and beyond, and has appeared on the stage with many. The self-titled album is due September 26 via Slumberland Records (US) and Skepwax Records (UK), and you should line up to reserve your copy because you shouldn't live a minute without it.

Oh, and since we lauded the songs, we would be remiss if we didn't link them below. Feel free to form your own opinions about influences, but our thoughts - limited to one for each song - are Heavenly for "Fabulist" and Shop Assistants for "I'm Not Sad".

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Dropkick - Primary Colours

 

We have listened to Primary Colours several times and a question lingers in our minds: If you are a guitar pop fan, why can't Dropkick be your favorite guitar pop band? The Scottish outfit has great melodies, vocals that tug on your heartstrings, and guitars and rhythms that pound in your chest. And then there is the range -- the ten tracks include crunchy powerpop songs that could nestle comfortably on a Teenage Fanclub greatest hits compilation and wiry country-washed rockers that call to mind the late Tom Petty. Add in a couple of slow burners and the answer to the question is obvious, Dropkick should be considered among your favorite bands. Take our four song challenge, if you can walk away from the album after the first four songs, it isn't for you. But we didn't even need four songs to consider it one of the year's highlights to date.

Dropkick are Andrew Taylor, Alan Shields, and Ian Grier. Primary Colours is out now via Bobo Integral Records.

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Bubblegum Lemonade - Lawrence of Suburbia

 

We do love our reliable delights here at WYMA. And one of our reliable delights for nearly the entire time this blog has existed is the music of one Lawrence "Laz" McCluskey. Recording as Strawberry Whiplash and -- the subject of this post -- Bubblegum Lemonade, Laz vibrant and melodically delightful guitar pop. But on the new Lawrence of Suburbia (nice title!) augments his jangle and 12 string core competency with washes of grittier, rocking elements. The album has depth, variety and delivers the melodic heights and memorable choruses we expect from Laz.

This album has rapidly become one of our most played LPs this year. Lax may have become a man of suburbia, but suburbia has not extinguished the musical muse. Treasure it, folks. By the way, the album has 13 tracks but you can test drive it with the sampler below.

Matinée Recordings · Bubblegum Lemonade - Lawrence Of Suburbia

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Dreams Expire" by Dropkick

 

At certain stressful times all we want to eat is comfort food. And because we write a music blog, at stressful times we want to listen to comfort music. For us, a good bit of jangle in a warm tune is about as close as we can get to total aural comfort. So a big WYMA thank you to Scotland's Dropkick for their new single "Dreams Expire". It is just what we needed two days after the U.S. election. The song's title is apt for the day as well.

Dropkick are Andrew Taylor, Alan Shields, and Ian Gier. "Dreams Expire" is the first single from upcoming album Primary Colours, out February 7, 2025, via Bobo Integral

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Bubblegum Lemonade - Love's Young Nightmare EP

 

We previously have shared a couple of singles from the upcoming Lawrence of Suburbia by Glasgow jangle pop master Laz McCluskey, AKA Bubblegum Lemonade. We now have a double treat: (1) Third single "Love's Young Nightmare", and (2) An EP with that album track packaged with two non-album tracks "Sad Comedian" and "America Calling". The lead track is an upbeat jangle anthem. For the second Laz slows the pace for a lovely, thoughtful tune. The third amps up the pace again and adds the vocals from Sandra, Laz's mate from the Strawberry Whiplash project. Bubblegum Lemonade has always displayed a deft knack for melody and is locked into what made '80-'90s guitar pop special The three-song EP is titled Love's Young Nightmare and is available digitally via Matinee Recordings.

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Nightshift - Homosapien

 

The core of Homosapien, the new album by Glasgow collective Nightshift, is assured and upfront rhythms and taut arrangements. The additional magic is supplied by the affecting vocals, distorted and inventive guitars and and approach to songwriting that embraces multiple styles, perspectives and details. If one were forced to apply one genre, post punk would probably raise its hand, tentatively. But at times the band is more in an inspired alt folk space and in others experimental pop might fit more comfortably. But we aren't going to obsess about such labels beyond telling you that the delights are multiple, varied, and at times pleasingly surprising. After our first listen to Homosapien our impression was that it is as if many other post punk bands are recording in black and white, and Nightshift is painting with a full color palette. The songs are uniformly excellent, but of course any listener will have favorites. We have a big smile on our faces whenever we play "Phone", and we often play "Phone". "Crush" and "Sure Look" pushed their assertive selves to the front as well, but all are worthy. Yes, it is one of our top albums of the year.

Nightshift are Eothen Stern, Chris White, Rob Alexander and Andrew Doig. Ray Aggs contributes violin on "Phone" and "Sure Look". Homosapien is out now via Trouble In Mind Records.

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"Sure Look" by Nightshift

 

Homosapien, the upcoming album by Glasgow's musically adventurous Nightshift is just a few weeks from hitting our eager ears. But the tease continues with the lovely third single, "Sure Look". A calming reminder to pay attention to self care, it bears the band's hallmark propulsive rhythms, inventive guitar and enchanting vocals, all accented with a fiddle. This is going to be a "don't miss album" dear readers. Don't miss it.

Nightshift are Eothen Stearn, Chris White, Andrew Doig, and Rob Alexander. Ray Aggs plays fiddle on several tracks. Homosapien will be out July 26 via Trouble In Mind Records.

TroubleInMind · 02 - Sure Look

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"Phone" and "Crystal Ball" by Nightshift

 

From time to time we scroll through the WYMA music library and recall a band that thrilled us in the past but hasn't released a recording recently. That happened earlier this week when we were listening to the fine 2021 Zoe by Glasgow's Nightshift. We agreed that it would be quite wonderful if the band were to issue another album. Their brand of pop/rock always surprises and delights with unexpected angles and a touch of the experimental. Not quite a day later we learned that Homosapien will be released July 26 via Chicago's Trouble In Mind Records. Based on the two singles to day, the recently released "Phone" and its predecessor, "Crystal Ball", we are expecting the album to be one of our more often played releases of 2026.

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Dancer - 10 Songs I Hate About You

 

We don't know the members of Glasgow's Dancer personally, but we suspect that they may be as fond of caffeine as the WYMA staff. The songs on their new album for Meritorio Records, 10 Songs I Hate About You, are bursting with energy, purpose and a rare level of inventiveness. All of that, the ace musicianship and the distinctive vocals of Gemma Fleet make this album one of the most distinctive and treasured of the year so far.  

I don't know why they call themselves Dancer, but our imagination tells us that their music dances across our brains led Fred and Ginger. The album a warm heart and a good dose of wit. It unspools like a live show with Gemma announcing the title of each song and guitarist Chris Taylor and bassist Andrew Doig seeming to freestyle to great effect while drummer Gavin Murdoch keeps it all grounded.

10 Songs I Hate About You is out now via Meritorio Records.

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"We're Going To Make It In A Man's World" by Camera Obscura

 

A month ago we debuted "Big Love", the first single from the upcoming LP Look To The East, Look To The West by Glasgow's beloved Camera Obscura. Today, we have the bright, lush and upbeat second single "We're Going To Make It In A Man's Word". The song was co-written by vocalist Tracyanne Campbell and keyboardist Donna Maciocia, and reaffirms that this band has lost none of its ability to nail the perfect pop song.

The album will be out May 3 via Merge Records.

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"Bluetooth Hell" by Dancer

 

Our nosey neighbor has not asked about the joyous sounds from our abode this morning (does she not even care anymore?), but then perhaps we couldn't hear her knocking over the repeated plays of "Bluetooth Hell", the new single from Dancer. The single is from the Glasgow band's upcoming album 10 Songs I Hate About You (a strong contender for alum title of the year, in our opinion). It boasts the band's dominant rhythms, inventive guitar and stabbing vocals, and has an overall vibe of well-marshalled chaos. We love it!

The album will be released in two weeks by Madrid label Meritorio Records.

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"Girl 71" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

 

The highly anticipated return of The Jesus and Mary Chain via upcoming LP Glasgow Eyes now has a delayed release date of March 22. But any disappointment at the additional wait should be assuaged by the garage rock swagger of new single "Girl 71". For our ears, the song strips back the years and has us searching for our boots and leather jacket. An additional appealing element on this track is the backing vocals of Rachel Conte.

Note that a couple of vinyl versions of Glasgow Eyes have already sold out, so don't be coy about stepping up. The album will be release via Fuzz Club.

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"Change" by Dancer

 

Assembling talent form several other Glasgow projects, Dancer is a rising star in the City's fertile music scene. Their new album 10 Songs I Hate About You is due March 15 via Meritorio Records, and we are expecting an exhilarating and diverse aural ride. The second single from the album is here now, and "Change" is indeed a bracing and jittery dose of pop that is, well, a change from the album's first single. So thinking a bit more about it, we expect good things but we can't really predict what form they will take. And that's ok, we like surprises.

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