DOPESICKFLY

Single: We Are One

A heartfelt message of positivity and inclusivity from the Glasgow funk/soul four-piece, inspired by singer Ant Thomaz’s daughter Gaia and the sense of community that flourishes in adversity. The single was launched at a concert with Musicians In Exile in December, and features a guest verse from comedian Karen Dunbar, plus an ecstatic multilingual earworm of a hook.

‘We Are One’ is out now

Queen

N Ria Graham

Single: The Catalyst

Skipping, playful piano lines trip over the top of this charming single from the Irish Catalan singer songwriter. Lyrics that evoke loss and the cryptic imagery in her—as she calls it—‘stupid Catalan English’, evoke a guileless, openness, and vulnerability. With songwriting matching a pastoral folk ambience and the light touch of a confident musician, its breezy charisma masks a melancholic yearning.

‘The Catalyst’ is from the album Cyclamen, out now via Primavera Records

Chris Queen

Casual Drag

Single: Something Good

On ‘Something Good’ Glasgow three-piece Casual Drag look past the populist posturing of the current post-punk trend to something altogether rawer. There is a rousing energy in the rudimental effortlessness of their no-frills DIY punk that lends it an almost nostalgic quality. The band have worked out that you can sometimes be too smart for your own good, and as ‘Something Good’ will attest, the simplest of formulas are the ones that capture hearts and minds.

‘Something Good’ is out now

Craig Howieson