That's My Jam #72 - dune witch trails - Goldenrod Cigar

The savvy advice to all guitar based bands in Glasgow (or further afield) must be to pop into Green Door studios.  The lauded studios in Glasgow's West End seem to be behind the desk for almost all of the promising sounds being made in the 'guitar-band' circle at the moment, and this track from Dune Witch Trails joins that bunch.

Goldenrod Cigar  sets its stall out with cranked up slack guitars which create the bedrock of the track.  Atop sit passionate laid back vocals, with delightful pop harmonies chiming in amidst neat little Dinosaur Jr. style guitar bursts.  The band release this track on their new tape EP being released via Draper Street Records.  Go buy it. 

That's My Jam #71 - Tongues - Religion

The solo project of Kill The Waves frontman Tim Kwant, Tongues has had a 100% hit rate with the tracks released online so far.  And with new track Religion  dropping today he makes it three for three.

The lusciousness of the space in the track is the real standout, mixing Jamie xx production vibes with a cathedral chanting and organs; think of Hozier's Take Me To Church  but done well.  Religion  starts off sparse and works its way into a full blown audio masterpiece.  Like a musical paint by numbers, Tongues fills the canvas with bleeps, blips and drums.

That's My Jam #70 - Stillhound - Think This Way

There's something to be said for mountain retreats when the results they produce are gorgeous electro-pop like Think This Way by Stillhound.  The track is available online now as a free download, and is the second to come from the Stillhound stable. 

Structured synths and match up perfectly with layered vocals as the quartet - Fergus Cook, Laurie Corlett-Donald, Dave Lloyd and  Cat Myers - provide a slice of dreamy electronica which captures the spirit of M83, the vastness of Boards of Canada, and the pop sensibilities of CHVRCHES.  The track is no drab imitation however, and worms into your subconscious like an old friend.

That's My Jam #69 - Be Charlotte - Face

One of the most exciting things I find about the music of Dundee's Charlotte Brimner, released under the stage name Be Charlotte, is the potential.  Listening to Face,  and other tracks on her Soundcloud page,  I can't help but hear how this could sound in six months to a year's time.  There's room for so much expansion, development, and experimenting, partially due to Charlotte's natural talent - she raps, sings, plays, and writes - and also due to the creative input of other musicians, notably Hector Bizerk's Louie and Audrey.

None of this is to say that Face  is not already an incredible tune.  It is.  It really is.  A funky intro, sharp drumming, relate-able lyrics telling the stories of rail travel, a warm and welcoming chorus, and Kate Tempest-esque raps layered over each other, it's got so much going for it.  It's already one of my favourite new tracks, and Be Charlotte is a name to keep a sharp eye on. 

That's My Jam #68 - Carbs - Life Drawing

What began twelve months ago, perhaps just as an opportunity for two brothers to work together, is on the cusp of becoming the most interesting music coming out of Scotland right now.  Brothers Jonnie (of Jonnie Common and Inspector Tapehead fame) and James (Conquering Animal Sound and The Japanese War Effort) make up Carbs, and have been delighting the ears of those lucky enough to see them perform and hear their limited output so far.

Now with album Joyous Material Failure  lined up for release via Save As on 11th September, the duo release their new single Life Drawing.  There's a familiarity to the track, mainly due to the Jonnie Common comparisons which are of course inevitable, but it's pulled into a stronger hip-hop direction.  Think of a Scottish Why? and you aren't too far from the mark.  Dry, observational humour atop intelligent electronica.  More please.

That's My Jam #67 - SEØUEL - Fear Party

The impact that this track has had on my ears over the past two weeks is pretty full-on.  Not a day has gone by where I haven't flung my self about to Fear Party's Teutonic shifts and drops, plus it's been added to the Scottish Fiction Playlist for our radio shows.  The track is the lead from the Edinburgh/Berlin/London based producer's new EP Reykjavik  which comes out on Friday 24th.

With it's unsettling stabs, it's intrusive synths, and the dark-techno influences dripping from the fangs of killers bites, there's definitely a warning in the name.  Fear and dancing make for strange bedfellows, but it's a feeling which SEØUEL has captured and bottled perfectly. 

That's My Jam #66 - WOMPS - Live A Little Less

They went to Chicago to record with the legendary Steve Albini as the trio Algernon Doll.  They've returned as a duo called WOMPS.  And whilst it's a re-birth of sorts for Ewan Grant and Owen Wicksted, for those of us who have followed the growth of Ewan's songwriting and musicianship since the first Algernon Doll record, it's also a huge step forward.

With the new record receiving the finishing touches to it as we speak, there's space in the schedule for a AA-side release on 7" vinyl via Damnably Records.  This track Live A Little Less  retains the raw guitar-heavy sound that was front and centre previously, while Wicksted drums with the fury of a thousand suns.  It's clear that the influence of Albini, who has worked with Cloud Nothings previously, has upped the ante of what was there before.  This isn't overly different, but it's injected with fresh impetus.  As always with Grant's writing, there's pop accessibility, and even with the cries of "wallow wallow wallow wallow" this is track demands to be loved.

That's My Jam #65 - Miaoux Miaoux - It's The Quick

I'm absolutely deeeee-lighted that Glasgow based musician and producer Julian Corrie, better known to you and me as Miaoux Miaoux, is back with a brand new album dropping on Chemikal Underground on 1st June.

From that album comes lead track It's The Quick.  Sharp angular beats, pitch shifting every now and then, as well as urgent synths, Corrie's usual wispy vocals juxtaposed with the dead samples, the whole track is a glorious fusion of trance, pop and dancefloor melody.  It all get's a bit excitable towards the end, providing Miaoux Miaoux hasn't lost any of his frenzied enthusiasm during his down time. 

That's My Jam #64 - Tuff Love - Groucho

Released for Record Store Day on 18th April, Groucho  is the latest single from the ever veritable Glasgow duo Tuff Love.  It's hot on the heals of their last EP Dross  which came out via Lost Map back in February, proving the bank don't wait around to make the next impact.

Groucho  bursts out with intent.  An short intro that wouldn't be out of place in a Cure track, warps into a sun-baked, forceful track, which retains a 'laid back' vibe throughout partially thanks to those lazy vocal harmonies.  Suse and Julie recorded this track at the same time as the Dross  EP but left it off.  Listening to the tracks together you can tell why, and as a stand alone single Groucho  really hits home.

The track is available on a split 7" backed by Portrait  from London's Lazy Day.  Go grab a copy from your local record shop or direct from Lost Map.

That's My Jam #63 - Poor Things - No Way, José

There are two things about today's post that get me pretty excited.  One: a new track from Poor Things who are consistently one of the finest Glasgow bands at the moment.  Two: A NEW SPLIT 7" WITH FOUR BANDS FROM GERRY LOVES RECORDS!!!

Let's focus on the track first; it's a stonker.  Whether a flat our refusal to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's attempts to lure St Johnstone top goal scorer Michael O'Halleran away, or just a cool song name, it's a track with passion and intent.  More upbeat and energetic than last outing Friends  the band don't stray too far from their warm fuzzy guitars and alt-punk ethos.  Singer Craig Angus delivers some sweet harmonies, and an emphatic "woo" at the end.  All in all the track reminds me a little of now-defunct Glasgow band Deathcats, which is a very good thing indeed.

As for the split EP, all we know so far is that it's scheduled for release in June.  I'm delighted to see Poor Things and Gerry Loves Records hook up as in my opinion it's a match made in vinyl heaven.  What you can also be sure of is that judging by this track the quality will be high, and as it's Gerry Loves the final package will be a thing of beauty.

That's My Jam #62 - ULTRAS - The Path To Getting Paid

Fronted by ex-Over The Wall frontman Gav Prentice, ULTRAS came onto the scene late last year with This Is Where I Fall.  Since then there's been relative radio silence, which generally in my experience is a good thing as it means the band are taking their time to craft their next set of tracks.

And from listening to new track The Path To Getting Paid  we can hear the results of that crafting.  Marching drums create an inviting intro, with bouncy guitars quickly filling the air, before Prentice's warm and authoritative vocals begin his political tinged tirade.

The track moves away from the electronic fun that was This Is Where I Fall  but is a thrilling listen; challenging and fun in equal measures.  "Cause what's fir ye, won't go by ye" assures Prentice with a typically brogue delivery.  Keep churning out tracks like this and what's for ULTRAS certainly won't pass by.

That's My Jam #61 - The Van T's - Growler

Christ this is good!  Like really really  good. 

Drenched in grunge and slacker-rock vibes Growler  is the latest track from Paisley twins Chloe and Hannah, better known as The Van T's.  Doing exactly what it says on the tin, the kicks off with a deep growling bass line, before reverb heavy guitars chime in.  Youthful fun flows at the heart of the track, as the vocals alude to -  "I liked you more on a drunken night". 

Describing themselves as "all you ever wanted from a '90's dream" it's clear there's heavy influence drawn from that early '90's alt-rock period, but this is far from a throwback sound, with comparisons to The Dum Dum Girls, Wolf Alice and closer to home Honeyblood. 

That's My Jam #60 - Lidh - Murmur

With a voice that can pierce through the dull monotony, Eilidh Lawrence; better known to you and me as Lidh; puts it to good use on latest single Murmur.

Murmur  takes heed from the woozy ethereal music of Cocteau Twins, almost dream like at times as guitars and mandolin lap against the listeners ear.  Lawrence's vocals are just as delightful; a clear folk grounding but drifting off into dream-pop regions during the choral sections. 

"You'd have to mumble, or murmur, to fill the air" sings Lawrence.  The vocals may be a murmur, but the track has an instant connection, leaving you humming long after the three and a half minutes are up.  Grab a free download via Lidh's Bandcamp page.

That's My Jam #59 - Adam Stafford - Atheist Money

Returning with his first new material since the immense Imaginary Walls Collapse  album, released two years back via Song, By Toad Records, Adam Stafford's new track Atheist Money  hits all the right spots.

Hiccuping guitars create the jagged texture, beneath smooth landscaped melodies which are utterly sublime, which intelligent and gentle vocals complete the package.  Never one to shirk expanding beyond the norm, Stafford doesn't overload the track with loops or samples, but continues to defy the limits of what one man can do with music.

This track is a precursor to a new album, penciled in for an October release, called Taser Revalations,  and it will be out on 1st May.  Welcome back Adam Stafford!

That's My Jam #57 - Babe - The Warbling

Complete with '80's vibes, and spacious electro-pop Babe returning with a new EP, The Hereaftergo'ers,  due out on Moshi Moshi on 27th April.  The EP follows their 2014 album Volery Flighty  and sees the band take a turn into electronica with a more experimental approach to these songs.

Lead track The Warbling,  possesses an onomatopoeic quality with the synth heavy intro trilling harshly.  Lead singer Gerard Black's soaring vocals rise above the quivering guitars, creating an almost out of body listening experience.

That's My Jam #56 - Turtle - Silent Weapon

Jon Cooper, the real name behind the musical moniker of Turtle, has been causing a bit of a frenzy amongst muso types with his spacious and luscious electronic music.  The trend continues with Silent Weapons  a track off his forthcoming second EP Colours.

Featuring whispy vocals, complete with mysterious lyrics, atop hazy electronica, the track really ignites in the final third with pulsing synths and floating guitars whirling round together in a seductive mating ritual.  It's a different dimension to the music of Turtle, intelligent and emotional leaving a real embedded connection with the listener.

That's My Jam #55 - Youngstrr Joey - Michael

As well as being a member of Spinning Coin (check them out here) Cal Donnelly also goes under the alter-ego of Youngstrr Joey.  In that guise, he has released his debut EP 'proper', via Number4Door; a Glasgow DIY label with a tendency for uncovering gems.

The whole EP, which is called Cheerleader,  is pretty grizzly and dare I say nihilistic, with vocals that whilst not directly saying it scream "fuck you", and a kind of (I assume) deliberate out of step melody running through the four tracks.  That's no bad thing, and opener Michael  is a beast of a track, with Donnelly repeating "show me how to be cool" atop a three chord lo-fi guitar sequence which then proceed to scream chaotically.  There's a gleeful 'do-do-do-do' break in the track, which sounds both inviting and vicious at the same time.  A perfect tagline for the whole EP to be honest.

That's My Jam #54 - Poor Things - Friends

The reverse of our previous jam; which came from Catholic Actions; is two new offerings from trio Poor Things being released as part of a split cassette via Fuzzkill Records.

Friends  is the lead track from Poor Things, and is their first original new material since their eponymous debut album which was a firm favourite round these parts last year.  With a sweet acoustic intro, leading into plenty of fuzzy guitars, the track wraps the influences of Teenage Fanclub around it and bursts out with fresh impetus.

That's My Jam #53 - Catholic Action - L.U.V

There's really something special about the new track L.U.V  from Glasgow four-piece Catholic Action.  The sounds are really familiar; touches of Franz Ferdinand art-rock, punches of 70's era punk, and hints of Edwyn Collins style pop; yet at the same time molded into something that feels urgent and fresh.

Perhaps it's against the backdrop of electro-pop which is; rightly it must be said; holding fort in many corners of the internet at the moment, but Catholic Actions style of DIY slacker-pop, littered with the above influences, is at the forefront of a number of bands plying such sounds in Glasgow and further afield. 

This track is part of a split with Poor Things which will be released on Fuzzkill Records on 30th March.  It's infectiously catchy, and embodied all the reasons why Catholic Action are about to be lauded by more and more people.

That's My Jam #52 - Mt. Doubt - Asunder

"Songs I wrote in my bedroom" is how Mt. Doubt is described on their Facebook page.  Which is one of the reasons why latest track Asunder  is so fucking impressive.  I know, I know, people can do all sorts in their bedroom these days [snigger], but the completeness and expansive sound of Asunder  goes beyond what I'd class as lo-fi bedroom recordings, or uber produced bedroom recordings.

Hailing from Edinburgh, Mt. Doubt have released consistently good tracks online, and Asunder  seems like the natural progression from it's predecessors.  Following a playful clinking intro, sweeping drums, soulful vocals, and atmospheric guitars swirl up to the pinnacle of the track; it's building and soaring outro.  More please.