SNACK Bits (Autumn/Winter 2026) Scotland’s Essential New Music Guide

It used to be that piracy was killing music, but now it’s poor streaming royalties, overpriced gig tickets, and a million things fighting for listeners’ attention. Of course, pirates used to sail the seas, pillaging, and sashay in a sexy manner.

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DARA DUBH

Well, that’s Dara Dubh’s take on them. Yes, live favourite ‘A Pirate Named Valkyrie’ sails us to her debut album in a confident and frankly fun manner. There’s been a great deal of variety, not to mention quality, on the singles trailing the album, and this is one more reason to look forward to the release.

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RACHEL WHITE

One of the cleverest pop songs we’ve heard in some time comes from Rachel White in ‘Denial’. After a litany of errors and mini defeats, the song bubbles in a way you know an explosion of joy is on the way. It delivers, delightfully so, and you’ll chase the song to its end, only to start it all over again.

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GURRY WURRY

And if you love pop, Gurry Wurry should be on your radar. ‘Dented Heart’ is the last offering before the release of Glue, his third album. It’s sedate, sure, but the squelching keyboards and swoonsome passages should see camera phone lights illuminating the room when he plays.

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BEMZ

We’ve always got time for Bemz, even if he wants some time to himself on ‘DND’. We’ve all been there, but when we need a break, we get cranky. Bemz, he goes and drops a banger. Your shoulders will dip and shuffle throughout, the infectious rhythm surely placing a smile on your face.

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TOMORROW KID

And if you’re looking for a tempo you can’t ignore, Tomorrow Kid’s ‘FACE DOWN’ will grab you like the sunny rays of the new millennium. The punky-pop vibes with vocoder vocals that should lift your spirits follow neatly from recent track ‘WHEN UR NOT AROUND’.

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ST. DUKES

Warmth also radiates on ‘Is It Now?’ by St. Dukes. First reactions recall Isobel Campbell’s ‘4316’, but that simply means it’s surf-pop adjacent, and it’s a cracker, so we’re all in.

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PUPPY TEETH

The Teething EP by Puppy Teeth glides by, and it deserves some hazy autumnal glow to be fully appreciated. The opener ‘Melatonin’ might be the most aptly named track of the year, and singer Anna Trost’s vocals sit smoothly over choppy guitars and a jazzy-pop vibe.

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LYNDS

We take that chilled vibe further with ‘Meanstreak’ by Lynds. Two Edinburgh acts in a row, this one places you in a smoky room, people escaping their troubles for a little while. It’s not a song in a rush to be anywhere but here, and Lynds’ vocals will have you wrapped up, at her beck and call.

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LIV DAWN

Liv Dawn aims bigger, she’s out of small rooms and into the open, wanting as many people to follow her as possible. Even from the modest piano intro, you know ‘If We Make It’ is going places, and she has a clean and soft vocal style that carries it off, with classic late 60s early 70s guitar holding your hand to the end.

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SALLY STENNING

You know what’s a great feeling? When you’re listening to new music or a new artist, and it’s toddling along nicely, but the back of your mind is whispering, ‘where is this going?’ And then bam, a lift or a swing or a key change hits you, and you love it. Spoiler alert, ‘Reviews, or Sermons’ by Sally Stenning fits that bill. The acoustic strum and her vocals take you for a pleasant stroll but you’ll thank yourself for giving it the full run.

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BIRDVOX

Birdvox offer up delightful vocals on ‘Shape of a Friend’, a key track from their recent album, Shamming The Drama. You’ll find plenty of strands here, don’t pick at them, relax, and let the persuasive synth wash over you.

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ATLANTIC

‘Hey Now’ from Atlantic, a Falkirk-based group, is their introduction to us, and maybe to you. Gravelly vocals melt with phased guitars, and some chiming lines that lighten the mood. There’s touches of early 80s jangle guitar, and you’ll bop your head before you realise it.

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KATIE LINDSAY

However, the best 80s guitar lines of the month come from Katie Lindsay, with ‘Believe’. It’s far from the focus of the track, but the lick is straight out of Miami Vice! It finds its home amongst a lush backing, a poppy song in no rush to move on.

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DEER LEADER

‘Lark Ascending’, by Deer Leader, sounds like nothing else this month, so if you’re seeking uniqueness, jump on. The warbling vocals at the start will see you lay your guard down, but the beats and swirling backing give it more life than you prepared for. It’s a song of restraint, measure, and control, but charming for it.

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ĠENN (FEAT. AIDAN MOFFAT)

This isn’t the case with ‘Jaguar Sun’, from ĠENN (feat. Aidan Moffat). The intent is there from the off, moody electronica leaving you shifting your gaze behind you. The two vocalists interact well, Aidan Moffat being his usual self, that laconic delivery leading back to ĠENN’s more excitable style in a way that simply works.

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CHVRCHES

Which is as good a time as any to welcome Chvrches back. ‘Roses’ dropped with little fanfare, and the promise of two special gigs this month. It’s not the widescreen feel of previous Chvrches eras, but the confinement and drama draws you into their world. We must be heading to spooky season, no better time for Lauren Mayberry to serve in her inimitable style.

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BECCA STAR

A droning intro tees up ‘Follow The Leader’ from Becca Star, which doesn’t prepare you for the beat dropping and spitting bars. It’s pretty catchy, you’ll not stand still during the chorus. For those who plan on casting hexes this October, but want a modern twist, this is the one for you.

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KOHLA

And as we started with Dara Dubh plotting the final route to her album, we close with Kohla doing the same. ‘You Took The World’ gently takes us to the Fantasy album, the record appearing more cinematic with every number. The new music has been a bit dark in places this month making the deliberate yet delicate steps of Kohla a fine place to end.

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We’ll see you back in print at some point, but you don’t get rid of us that easily, we’ll keep you up to date with the latest Scottish music in the winter months online.