A Muso's Top 10: The Pictish Trail

"Just spent a week writing and recording with Adem - the results are pretty bonkers. Crazy electro stuff. Looking forward to putting that out at some point next year. It's a busy few months ahead - my album, Secret Soundz, is coming out in September, Rozi's in October, and a new collaboration from King Creosote + H.M.S. Ginafore in November. On top of that we've got a Fence Club show with James Yorkston headlining on September 17th in Edinburgh. Malcolm Middleton has just confirmed as support - so it should be a crackin' night. See yiz there?"

1. White Williams - New Violence

OnTheFly (from our electronic off-shoot label, DeFence) put me on to this guy. It's a bit glam, a bit pop, a bit electro - and it's got those Paul Simon Graceland style guitars the kids all seem to love.

2. Loudon Wainwright III - The Swimming Song

I'm writing this while sitting in the back of car on a long journey - and my friends in the front seats have been playing Bob Dylan for what feels like 5 hours. Pish. I'd rather listen to Loudon any day of the week.

3. Rozi Plain - Foot Out

We're putting out Rozi's album on Fence in October, and I think it's one of the best things we've ever released. She is from Bristol, and is blessed with a stunning voice and highly original songwriting style which i can't describe without sounding like a twat. I can't stop listening to her.

4. Hot Chip - Crap Kraft Dinner

My favourite song by my favourite band. Sax solo!

5. Hercules & Love Affair - Blind

Best song i've heard in 2008 - Antony's vocal is astonishing. He should chop off his Johnsons and do this full time.

6. Kid Canaveral - Second Time Around

t's the summer, and the summer was made for insanely catchy indie-pop songs like this. However, I think it'.s being released in October in order to reflect the danger of melting ice caps. Oh yes.

7. Smog - Say Valley Maker

Bill Callaghan is a genius. Jim White, the drummer, takes centre stage on this tune, though. Drummers, eh?

8. The National - Fake Empire

I've only just gotten into this band. This is the first track on their recent album, Boxer, and it's deep deep deep.

9. Talk Talk - I Believe In You

I was on a bus in Fife a few weeks ago,.. listening to Talk Talk's 'Spirit Of Eden' on my headphones, full blast, while it pissed rain outside. The bus slowed past a crowd of people gathered around a guy who was sitting on the curb, head in hands, having been in a car accident. This song came on - it was perfect.

10. James Yorkston - The Capture Of The Horse

This is the jaw-droppingly great closing track from his new album. Each record he puts out is so good it's hard to decide which is best. His new album is particularly good.