SNACK Bits: Scotland’s Essential New Music (September 2026)

Yeah, we took some time off. The music never stopped, but we took a breather. Forget that though, it’s not about us, it’s about new music with a Scottish slant.

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SLEEPING WAVE

Cavalry’, the debut single from Scottish/Australian duo Sleeping Wave arrives fully formed, robust and clean. The post-chorus guitar strut is lovely, but the whole track will appeal to those whose musical tastes were forged in smooth 70s rock, even slipping into theatrical work before the end.

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DARA DUBH

There’s a touch of ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ here from Dara Dubh on ‘Desert Lady’, and that’s great for a couple of reasons. Firstly, that’s a banging tune, so if you’re in that ballpark, you’re onto a winner. Secondly, it’s like that but with harp strums and a delicate lilt that will have you swaying in no time. Thirdly, it’s an indicator of the breadth of the songwriter’s talent. We saw Dara in Edinburgh in August, and that show, plus this song, means we’re more than ready for October’s album release.

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KOHLA

And for November’s album release schedule, we’ve already got Kohla’s second record, Fantasy, on our list. The title track was released recently, another sumptuous track building momentum to the next big step in her career.

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WILLEM MCKIE & MARINA ROLINK

We’re also liking ‘I Am The Night’ by Willem McKie and Marina Rolink. This is sweet, a brisk rhythm and two voices weaving and working around each other, and finger-picked guitar. Both artists are based in Glasgow, so hopefully there’ll be some live shows. If this is anything to go by, you’re in for a delightful evening of harmony, hope, and traditional duet songwriting.

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ELLIJAI

Ellijai’s fourth single of the year buzzes into life, a snotty song of praise to her ‘Skinny Boyfriend’. It’s a song of push and pull, balancing the bad and good, but it all adds up to admiration and a touch of lust, wrapped up in dumb rock, which is one of the best genres you’ll find.

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GALLUS

Gallus have never been slow in serving up melody with an edge, albeit with plenty of social commentary thrown in. Talk of their new album focusing on the ills and decay of Glasgow has us primed for more, but on ‘MK Des (Miss Out)’, they’ve got another number that’s sure to detonate live. I know they never really went away, but it does feel as though guitar acts are back.

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TEENAGE FANCLUB

Someone who never went away but who is now back is Teenage Fanclub, with ‘There Was You’. A very early comment on YouTube suggesting the band needs to write a different type of song was funny, but the honest truth is, Teenage Fanclub could write and release this every year if they want. They have no right being this beautiful so far down the line, a song that fills your heart with everything that is good. From their 1993 record Thirteen to their 13th album, Do Not Dare To Dream, dropping in October, this is a band who can do what the hell they like, because they do it so well.

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STANLEY WELCH

‘The Future of My Heart’ sees Stanley Welch combining peppy music with a grave delivery, creating a theatrical jaunt that’ll split opinions, but those who like it will love it.

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LOST IN VANCOUVER

Lost In Vancouver has a touching tribute to a lost loved one on ‘The Last Thing I Can Do’. It tugs at the heartstrings, loads of people will empathise, but it also soars. Yes, it’s a full-on rock song, a tribute you’d bellow with your lungs at full capacity, which is the way to be remembered.

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ARDENTJOHN

‘Into The Night’ by Ardentjohn has a similar feel, though a touch more restrained, a little country twang. You’ll find yourself nodding, if not stomping, along to the neat drum fills throughout.

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DANIEL LECKERMAN

‘Karma’ by Daniel Leckerman is a squelchy, dark-electro number. Katerina takes a walk on the wild side with ‘A Reckless Expenditure’, and you know what, Lou would have liked it.

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PHILOMENAH

On ‘sovereign’, philomenah gives us a touch of trip-hop, but it’s a song of hope, her vocals wrapping around you like a warm blanket, ideal for the coming months.

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PRAY SILENCE

Meanwhile, Pray Silence takes us to ‘Liminalland’, a striding song with a nervous underside. It could do with a moment where it properly explodes, but it simmers nicely.

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THE NOISE CLUB

The Noise Club drag you down the rabbit hole with ‘The Alex Jonestown Massacre’. Clever title, Aidan Moffat-esque diatribes and crunching, heavy guitars.

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TOMMOROW KID

‘WHEN UR NOT AROUND’ by Tomorrow Kid goes the other way, this heads to the sun with a dayglo turn-of-the-millennium pop style, throwing in a bit of peak-Feeder for good measure.

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GURRY WURRY

You should know Gurry Wurry by now, but if not, ‘Television Loveseat’ is a grand starting point. Dramatic, nippy, and a guitar hook that will dig into your shoulders.

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DJANGO DJANGO

Familiarity is no reason to overlook ‘Dirty Hotel Blues’ by Django Django. It’s a bit darker and more reserved than you might expect, but it’s measured in a way that’ll sweep you along. The hazy 60s vibe in places is a neat touch.

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EMMA DUNLOP

If you want powerful 80s overtones, Emma Dunlop has a cracker. The synth and bass will transport you back to a time when we were all poor, there was no faith in the Government and Scotland left the World Cup with a sense of what might have been. Oh. Anyways, ‘Tell Me Something’ is polished, shimmering, and darker than your average pop song.

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GEFAHRGEIST

Gefahrgeist are gearing up for an album launch in 2027, new single ‘Reverie’ leading the way. It’s too cool for school, laidback yet with strings that carry some life. Fiona Liddell’s vocals also pack a punch so you’ll be chilled yet ready for action.

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FOGLIGHTS

We’ll end with mention of ‘The Rain Felt Kind’, by Foglights, from their debut EP, Nous Deux. It feels weary yet warm, losing but not defeated.

We type this as we look forward to Spiritualized and Super Furry Animals at Queens Park, so anything which is trembly in a Spacemen 3 way gets the SNACK Bits stamp of approval.

Second track ‘I Don’t Know’ sounds like The Velvet Underground singing over ‘Half The World Away’. We’ll spend more time with this as the nights shorten.

As we said earlier, guitar acts are back. See you next month.