Top New Scottish Lassies
words by Katie Guthrie
In Scotland, we have an absolutely booming music scene and we have plenty of loud lassies making waves. All of these women have a slightly different sound but are all equally as powerful and inspiring. These are my top three ones to watch.
Ruby Gaines - ‘Cardamom’
You can always rely on the Glasgow scene to provide some really cool projects; Ruby Gaines lives up to this perfectly. With her first offering, ‘Cardamom’, I’ve been left spellbound. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but there is something so captivating about Ruby Gaines, I just can’t look away. Whether it is the Irn Bru aesthetic or the eclectic mix of jazz and R&B tones featured on ‘Cardamom’, there is a spark that I am drawn to.
The incredibly powerful vocals featured on ‘Cardamom’ features a raw, seductive quality which matches the intensities of the sensual subject matter. The track is nothing like anything else coming out of Scotland right now and an absolutely unique first release. When gigs do eventually return, I can’t wait to hear what ‘Cardamom’ sounds like in a live setting.
‘Cardamom’ came sweetly to me in the early hours. It felt like I had finally solidified the newness of my sound and being that I'd been trying to encompass. It felt like metamorphosis and I was elated to leave my old skin behind and journey deeper into the sound and taste of this new musical direction (which I feel runs parallel to my own personal development). I wanted to deliver saccharine feelings similar to the weightless mornings felt after a night of love and contentment.”- Ruby Gaines
The intimate atmosphere created in ‘Cardamom’ only draws me in further to the allure of Ruby Gaines. I know that I, for one, can’t wait to see what else Ruby Gaines comes out with in the future.
Photo by Kris Boyle
Chiara Baillie - “Disappear”
Charia Baillie is dropping her first ever official release with the track ‘Disappear’. This Edinburgh based singer-songwriter has recently graduated with a degree in music and since then had a focus on establishing herself as an artist. Chiara often performs and writes an array of acoustic and pop music, usually found accompanying herself on piano or guitar, Chiara enjoys playing songs stripped back and raw.
This dreamy debut track will leave you floating, Charia Baillie’s soft vocals soothe the soul. With haunting undertones over beautiful and peaceful melodies, fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine and Sasha Sloan will find peace in “Disappear”. The track openly and honestly explores themes of mental health and the struggles it can bring. Stand out lyrics include, “Sometimes the world moves way too fast and it makes me want to disappear” and ‘I looked in the mirror and decided to stay another day’. Lyrics like this really hit deep emotionally when listening for me and I am sure it will for most people who listen to the track.
The emotional track was recorded at Eggman Studio’s in Dunfermline, Fife and is just a taste of what Chiara Baillie has to offer.
Photo by Kayleigh Bissett
Indoor Foxes - ‘Peach Stone’
Indoor Foxes is an artist I once said has one of the purest voices coming out of Scotland and when listening to her new single ‘Peach Stone’, I could not agree more. Indoor Foxes has some impressive experience under her belt, having sold out Sneaky Petes in Edinburgh and already having an album out there is no sign of slowing down.
For her latest track ‘Peach Stone’, Indoor Foxes has really mastered the art of bedroom pop with a song comparable to the likes of legends Girl in Red and Beabadoobee. ‘Peach Stone’ explores the feeling of becoming the worst version of yourself because of somebody else. I think this feeling can be relatable for many and nearly always comes after the fact. Stand out lyric for me is, ‘Put a price on my pretty head, assume that it would be hollow instead’. There is a beautifully poetic style to some of Indoor Foxes lyrics and ‘Peach Stone’ is full to the brim of this genius.
Having tapped into a grittier 90s-bedroom guitar kind of vibe, ‘Peach Stone’ will find indie lovers putting this straight into their playlists. ‘Peach Stone’ was completely self-produced and then mastered by Scott Maxwell. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Indoor Foxes, you should all definitely get on the hype.