‘I feel it burning right here in my heart, don’t you know it’s like a heat wave?’
That’s all well and good for a brief love infatuation, Holland, Dozier and Holland (and of course, magically sung by Martha Reeves), but if this weather persisted for much longer, Bits would have to up and leave for colder shores. Like the bottom of the frozen peas cabinet in Farmfoods (other stores are available). But as always, nothing lasts forever – by the time you read this, it could be chucking it down. Still, if you can, hold that heat in your heart as we dive into July’s music round-up.
If we revert to stereotypes (which we shouldn’t do, but we’re music writers with a deadline, so that’s exactly what we’ll do), summer isn’t kind to the goths and metal kids. Black is a slimming colour, but it draws the sun in, which isn’t great when the temperature hits the heights we saw in June.
It’s not all bad for those who like to rock out at extreme volume, though, as ‘Blair Witch Eye’ makes no concession. It lunges directly for your throat as the singer does his best to shred his own vocal cords in front of you. Nice. Shag Nasty will be at Back Doune The Rabbit Hole in August, so if you want to traumatise the kids (or just redirect them from pure pop), add them to your festival list.
‘ChAnge’ is an apt title for Psweatpants. It’s still distinctively him, but looser, with a bit more of an indie swing. It won’t lose existing fans, but there’s every chance a raft of new listeners will click with its smooth flow and laid-back confidence.
‘Mosaic’ by Michael Steele has, on first listen, the sort of rhythm that makes you feel as though something is off. And then you get your head around it – and you realise it leans into that off-kilter groove, the kind of measured chaos that bands like Talking Heads or The Beta Band delivered so well. The sound of someone teetering on the brink of a breakdown but secretly taking it all in their stride. The final flurry, sparked by a mighty drum riff, might leave you gasping for breath, but things simmer to a halt before you lose track of it all.
The clever and bristling pop feel continues with ‘Magical Animals’ from Edinburgh’s The Micro Band. The song skips with the giddiness of a hazy summer day, where hope leaps in your heart and the possibilities feel endless. With an album hopefully on the way before the end of 2025, you might hear more from this lot soon – but this single should burrow into the back of your mind for a while.
By now, the M. John Henry album is available, and if ‘Strange Is The Way’ is any indicator, it’s the dark yet beguiling collection every summer needs. With banjo-picking and a sense of unease that will leave you glancing over your shoulder at every creak, the former De Rosa man still knows how to get inside your head with ease.
There’s also something about ‘Like It’s Love’ by Jess Allardice that keeps you poised, ready to move. There’s a slight trip-hop feel – ideal for days when your clothes stick to your skin for that split second too long – and the song’s gentle repetition conjures a mood that’s hypnotic in all the right ways.
Your mind will also be messed with by Acolyte and ‘The Blue Dark’. The spoken words of Iona Lee hover over hypnotic, tribal drums, creating a Scottish take on the swampy stew of New Orleans voodoo. And then, out of nowhere, an electronica flow swoops in, throws you off course, and leaves you blinking at the sun as birds chirp in the new day.
And continuing the theme of unique artists, Maya’s Radio Orchestra is throwing everything she has at ‘Garden Variety’. It blossoms and blooms in a delightful manner, leaving you swaying and hotstepping as the mood takes you.
And even though it’s the height of summer, we aren’t going to chastise Annie Booth for dropping ‘Spring Hands’. This is the first track from The Brace EP, and if you’ll forgive us for going big with a comparison (let’s blame it on the heat), the song has that woozy feel of Minnie Riperton’s ‘Les Fleurs’, albeit with a folkier edge. Okay, it doesn’t have that same power-packed chorus – but that’s hardly a criticism. Only Muhammad Ali delivered a more pulverising knockout blow than that track. So there you go, Annie, no pressure for the EP!
And on that pugilistic note, up next is Toy Fighting with ‘Lady Sail On’, an acoustic strum that sends a scatter of melodies drifting your way. It’s likeable – maybe the sort of thing a band releases to show they’ve got more up their sleeve than blistering indie-rock. And hey, it’s summer: the season of anthems you belt out with pals.
Let’s round things off with yet another mention of Mha Iri. It feels like she’s had more releases in 2025 than we’ve had columns, and frankly, it’s hard to keep up. ‘Loops & Tings 2025’ is her most recent drop (at the time of writing) and yes, it blisters like us in the sun – quickly, deeply, and likely to leave a mark. Also, don’t skimp on her collaboration with Marie Vaunt, ‘Out of Time’, which if anything, goes even harder. The Edinburgh DJ is putting in more work than our air conditioning right now…
Whether you’re off to a festival, sitting in the park, or hiding away until the temperature drops to a more manageable level – play it cool. We might not see you for a while (festival and freshers stuff looming), but remember, BITS loves you more than any other monthly music column!
