Spotlight On... New Scottish Music for 2026

Acolyte

Photo: Laura Meek

Following an impressive run of performances at last year’s Hidden Door festival at The Paper Factory, Acolyte remained quiet for the most part in 2025. But in the unseasonably warm run up to Christmas they released Warm Days in December, with a stunning turn from poet and performance artist Iona Lee at the helm. The Edinburgh outfit that also features Maranta’s Gloria Black will release their debut EP on Lost Map Records in early 2026. @acolyte.band

Bemz

Photo: Jack Currie

Glasgow-based, Ayrshire rapper Bemz may have had a quiet 2025 in terms of releases, but he headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at TRNSMT, hosted his second ever M4 Festival and featured on Vagrant Real Estate’s Neither Collar Nor Crown album released at the end of November. We’re reliably informed that you should expect new music in 2026, but that’s all we can really say right now. @bigbemz1

Bratakus

Photo: Lee Lewis

Highland sisters Brèagha and Onnagh Cuinn, aka Bratakus, have been making noise and doing their own thing since 2015. Having formed a friendship with The Hives after touring with them, their new album Hagridden arrives in February. Produced by Hives bassist Johan Gustafsson, their single Turnstile also features the band's Chris Dangerous on drums, bringing a new ferocity to the pair’s already thrilling sound. @bratakusband

Cowboy Hunters

Photo courtesy of band

Cowboy Hunters were an absolute highlight of our stage at Kelburn last summer with their snappy brand of tongue-in-cheek pop-punk. Their cover of Perfect (Exceeder) was followed later that month by 90-second zinger, Money For Drugs, arriving in November. Expect a new EP from the duo in March and if you happen to catch them live before then, you’ll likely be able to grab a copy early, such is the DIY ethos of this pair. @cowboy_hunters

Curiosity Shop

Photo: Rosie Sco

Edinburgh alt-folk five-piece Curiosity Shop haven’t released any music yet, but they’re headlining King Tut’s on 16 January. After a busy 2025, which included a fortnight on the road with Divorce, this year is set to be a big one with even bigger harmonies for the band that cite Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Whitney, Fleet Foxes and The Corries as influences. Expect their first recorded material to arrive this year along with more live outings. @curiosityshopmusic

CUZINO

Photo: Antoine Poulard

Glasgow-based producer CUZINO is just about as fresh as they come, sneaking in as a late highlight for us in 2025 as he released his self-titled debut EP. Featuring collaborative tracks with fellow producer and DJ Plaintainchipps, he brought a much-needed party vibe to the end of last year and assures us he’ll be working on more new projects in the new year. This is your early heads up to not sleep on CUZINO. @cuzino_

Feyvo

Photo: Jack Visser 

Edinburgh-based Scottish-Nigerian rapper Feyvo first caught our attention when she co-released Like Me last March alongside Katherine Aly, which featured as Track of the Week on BBC Introducing. A self-proclaimed “bad bitch”, she later released the standalone single TMS (This My Shit), a riff on Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl. While her plans for this year are still being finalised, we’re hopeful for new music. @feyvo

Fright Years

Photo: Dumi Visuals

Edinburgh outfit Fright Years had an epic 2025 playing TRNSMT and recording a BBC Introducing session at Maida Vale off the back of their Still Life EP. Their huge single Wait For Nothing followed in September with their biggest headline tour due to take place in the spring and, we’ve been told, there’s more new music on the way. Could 2026 be their biggest year yet? @fright_years

GAÏA

Photo: Andy Johnston

If you’re invested in the Scottish jazz and neo-soul scene, you may well have already come across GAÏA. She features on Rebecca Vasmant’s latest album, has supported corto.alto and she sold out her debut headline show in September. Capping off the year with nominations for the Scottish Jazz Awards and the Sound of Young Scotland, expect GAÏA's debut(!!) single in April, with more as the year unfolds plus lots of live shows. @gaia.jea

Haiver

Photo: Simon Murphy

Formed by Frightened Rabbit’s Billy Kennedy, Haiver released So Slow in 2023, with not a whole lot since then. With the album version of the single arriving late last year, they announced that their debut album, The Ghost Dance, is due in 2026. An album that charts Kennedy overcoming depression and grief following the loss of his close friend and bandmate Scott Hutchison in 2018, it’s sure to be a cathartic record for many. @haiverhaiverhaiver

Kohla

Photo: Molly Thomson

The follow-up to Edinburgh singer-songwriter and producer Kohla's debut album, Romance, is on the way this year. On it you'll find a more orchestral sound that centres around her diagnoses of C-PTSD, endometriosis and falling half in love with a close friend. With visuals inspired by the 1800s, the album has been mixed in Dolby Atmos surround sound to give it a more cinematic feel, perfect for her brand of delicate, yearning pop. @kohlamusic

Lacuna

Photo: Rosie Sco

Glasgow atmospheric folk outfit Lacuna first grabbed our attention with their Valentine's Day single Shelley last year. By then they’d already played sold out shows at King Tut’s and London’s Windmill Brixton, and they’d been nominated for Best Newcomer in the 2024 SAMAs. Having just released their beautiful third EP, Nest, in December they’re set to play Belladrum next summer with loads more in the pipeline. @lacuna.music

Majesty Palm

Photo: George McFadyen

Winners of Best Newcomer at the 2023 SAMAs, Glasgow pop duo Majesty Palm went on to be shortlisted for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year in 2024. The pair released their Learning to Swim EP in March last year, showing off their talents at writing a serious pop hook. Rounding out last year with a live EP and headline show at King Tut’s, Majesty Palm have plans for more new music in 2026. @majestypalmband

Nani Porenta

Photo: Blair Kemp

Nani Porenta spent most of 2025 on the road with Jacob Alon as part of their touring band, but still found the time to release the gorgeously intimate South Clerk St Demos towards the end of the year. With plans to further develop their live show in 2026, including an exciting performance at the Bruntsfield Pianodrome in March, they have more projects in the works for the year too. @naniporenta

Radhika

Photo: Future Pilot Art

As last year began to wind down a wee buzz started to surround Glasgow dream-pop artist Radhika as her single Starry Eyes (featuring Gerard Love and Mitch Mitchell) was picked up and celebrated by the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Radcliffe and Maconie. With its official release due in January courtesy of Glass Modern, her debut album Cine-Pop is set to follow later in the year and we can't wait to hear it. @radh__1ka__

Rahul.mp3

Photo: Jock Thomson

Since we last spoke to Rahul.mp3, things have taken off for the Glasgow-based Scottish-Indian producer and DJ. With a feature in Vogue celebrating his music and club night Scandal, he was later nominated for The SAY Award’s Sound of Young Scotland as well as Best Newcomer in the SAMAs. Following the release of Big Dog and Want It, Rahul.mp3 is now working towards a new project for the autumn with big plans for Scandal in 2026 too. @rahul.mp333

Rubie

Photo: Henry Mills

Glasgow-based artist Rubie won a much coveted slot at last year’s End of the Road festival as part of their annual New Wave competition. Playing the Boat stage, we caught the end of her set and you could have heard a pin drop. A mesmerising talent that calls to mind artists like ANOHNI, Rubie has plans to release a new album in 2026, which she’s describing as “apocalyptic campfire-prog.” Yes please! @rubie____

Sarah/Shaun

Photo: Solen Collet

Edinburgh husband-and-wife dream-pop duo Sarah/Shaun have relelased three EPs since April 2024. Following the general release of In Silence Love Speaks Loudest this month, the pair have a busy year ahead; embarking on their debut UK tour in the spring, they play Cowgate Block Party this month, the Queen’s Park Weekender in May and plan to release their debut album at the end of the year. @sarahshaunofficial

School of Paris

Photo courtesy of band

Dundee duo School of Paris released their debut EP, S.O.P., last September, five tracks they wrote over the course of two years. “We moved away from writing songs to wallow in and instead built something that feels physical, urgent, and euphoric," they said. "Music to move to, not sit with.” With a sound they describe as dark disco, the pair are currently working on a new project with a run of summer shows in the offing. @schoolofparis

Selkie

Photo: Tiana

Following the release of singles Hours and Heartspeak in 2025, Scottish ambient pop artist Selkie spent a lot of her time last year playing over 30 live shows across Japan, Chile and Mexico. Returning to Glasgow in March, she’s set to release her debut EP in the spring with, we’re sure, plenty of live dates to follow across Scotland. @selkiesound

SOAPBOX

Photo: Victoria Sykes

One of the most exhilarating shows we caught last year was SOAPBOX at Horatio’s on Brighton Pier for The Great Escape. The energy was electric, a blend of confrontational, sweaty, cheeky and uneasy. They’ve a whole bunch of festival shows already planned for this year, including Manchester Punk Festival, 2000 trees, Stockton Calling and Eurosonic. And we’re hoping their November single Boiling a Frog is a hint at more to come. @soapboxband