Scottish New Music Round-up: July 2026

It wouldn’t be a Music Now column without us holding our hands up and admitting we missed some great releases last month – there’s simply too much good music in Scotland to keep a handle on all of it, even for us professionals. Some choice selections include the euphoric album we’re all in love (19 Jun) from Edinburgh-raised, London-based indie-pop duo Quiet Houses, singles from corto.alto (GO), Nani Porenta (Some Body) and GAÏA (Big Girls), CH UNSPOKEN’s KILLA EP in collaboration with producer Supermann On Da Beat and Frankie Morrow’s moody, country-tinged album Way Out West.

Out this month on Leith’s New Teeth label is Sold the Family Train (3 Jul), an intense, frenetic mini-album from Doom Scroller. Its sound and influences are so broad-spanning that at times you’re astonished to find it’s still the work of the same artist – but the sonic themes tying it all inarguably together are evocative harmonies and an ear-catching rhythmic performance that has an elongating, almost telescopic feel. The percussive sounds, both traditional and non-traditional, are the star here, with echoey drums that seem to fill some unseen, organic space, what sounds like a splash cymbal and, wait – is that the ring of a shop till?

Later in the month brings the debut album from Wild Gods, a dark folk/drone project led by Jamie Livingstone, whom you might know from some co-writing credits on the latest Barry Can’t Swim record. It might not seem like an obvious jump, but there’s a clearly shared sense of unease, deeply resonant basslines and spacious sonic landscapes that reveal a deeper connection between the two projects. The Glorious Abysmal (24 Jul) is drone-drenched, both cyclical and dramatically staged in a way that is sure to appeal to fans of Lankum, the Bad Seeds and gathering Highland storms. Listen out especially for the 'brooding, serpentine doom-folk' of Carlene's Pin and the archival samples and 'barreling folk punk' of Rest & Be Thankful.

Well, July’s certainly a big one for the moody, the electronic, and the atmospheric. Nick Dow returns at the end of the month with Struck (30 Jul), his first album in six years. The Edinburgh-based electronic producer is known for his omnivorous approach to discovering sound, taking sounds from across the acoustic world and digitising them, “reshuffling reams of paper until it sounds like an approaching storm cloud.” Struck, he says, is the purest distillation of that approach yet – the record is in turns yearning and transportive, both ambient and volatilely dynamic. That doesn’t mean Dow can’t still bust a move though – check out middle track Earthed for a fun, laidback groove at the heart of the record.

Some releases to look out for in the world of guitars include the new album Bute by Glaswegian lo-fi slacker Sulka (17 Jul) and Bonnie Kemplay’s upcoming EP someone, somewhere (31 Jul). Bute marks a return to Sulka’s love for DIY recording, with songs evoking solitude, memories and the passage of time steeped in a dark, swampy quality on record that recalls the isle of Bute, where much of the record was written. Meanwhile, someone, somewhere marks a return for Kemplay after three years of injury-induced hiatus from making music. Her voice floats over indie-folk-imbued arpeggios like clouds drifting over an obstructing mountainside – opener Big Machine is a must-listen for fans of Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy.

Stay alert for more little treats in the form of single releases dotted across the month. We’re particularly excited about Almosts And Re-Dos/Wagtails (1 Jul), the double single from BIRDVOX (Sarah Hayes, Inge Thomson, Jenny Sturgeon and Charlotte Printer). Together, the two tracks provide a sneak-peak into the breadth and character of the band’s upcoming album – sounds like we can expect pleasing feathery textures, field recordings and moments of fun, organic trad-fusion. We’re also eagerly anticipating the return of Edinburgh darling Khalid Al Khajah with After the Rain (3 Jul), a jazzy acoustic number that shows off just a little glimpse of what he’s capable of.

Other exciting releases abound from Selkie, Majesty Palm and Other People’s Leisure (all 3 Jul), Community Swimming Pool, Flame and Mason (all 10 Jul), Dara Dubh (24 Jul), Puppy Teeth (29 Jul) – plus whatever other delights we’re sure to have missed...