ADEYEMO

Previously part of a folk/blues duo in South West England, the Paisley-based singer-songwriter is starting to unleash song ideas she has spent the last ten years crafting. Written amid the pandemic, her emotive track Social Distance immediately grabbed my attention becoming one of my favourites in 2024.
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ALX ROMANCE

I’ve been tracing the Dumfries & Galloway artist from early in his career. He’s now in a very healthy place developing his exciting take on anti-pop but referencing global artists like Drake and Fred Again. Having showcased at Tallin Music Week in Estonia, he’s all set to step up a level in ’25.
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THE DRESS REHEARSAL

The brainchild of Glasgow’s David Milne, The Dress Rehearsal’s self-titled debut album is an incredible collection of pop songs making it come across like a Greatest Hits. A concept album loosely based around a theatre show, I’m reminded of 60s legends like The Beatles and Beach Boys with a 21st century twist.
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INDOOR FOXES

Created by singer-songwriter Martha Barr, the debut EP Sadolescence takes us on a journey of self-exploration. The title suggests a melancholic air, but any darkness in the lyrics is compensated by a triumphant indie rock sound. Each of the 6 songs displays a different facet of “girlhood” from an artist set to progress to the biggest stages.
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JACOB ALON

The Edinburgh-based Fifer’s performance of their song Fairy In A Bottle on Later… with Jools Holland was one of 2024’s great musical moments. My introduction was at the Tennement Trail all-dayer a year earlier. There was a certain spark about that performance to ignite my interest, so when the first couple of singles appeared I was more than ready to lap up their beautifully delicate sound.
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KULEEANGEE

East meets West in this exciting new duo. Duncan Grant from Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Keshav Kanabar initially met in London as jobbing musicians. Spiking interest with an “accidentally” leaked demo, their mash-up of club sounds and guitar creates a wonderful crossover. That’s demonstrated on the explosive first official single Animated Love.
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NATI.

Formally known as Nati Dreddd, the Fife singer-songwriter has previously supported Tidelines and Newton Faulkner plus festival appearance at the likes of TRNSMT, Belladrum, Kendal Calling and Cambridge Folk Festival. First emerging with covers on TikTok, she has come into her own as she bares her soul with a captivating blend of folk, rock and pop.
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THE NEW SHADE

Playing together in various bands over the years, the Dunfermline lads have discovered a refreshed musical freedom. Just 2 singles down the line, their explosive indie rock sound is set to open many doors in 2025. I can’t wait to hear what they’ve got lined up next.
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PISTOL DAISYS

Rounding off 2024 supporting Callum Beattie at the Barrowland, Belly and Lorna first met at a Glasgow open mic night. Their wonderful fusion of rock and country has also taken on a new life with a GBX mix of their latest track Saint Glasgow. The song itself reflects on Belly’s move from Malaysia to Glasgow and the characters that make Scotland’s biggest city.
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SOAPBOX

Incendiary punk rock with a social conscience, the band hit the headlines with an unlikely far right endorsement. They set the record straight with the track Fascist Bob. Of their songs the Glasgow outfit have stated that they cover “complaints, frustrations and observations we’ve made as young people living in the UK”. Delivered with a strong dose of wit, their repertoire is packed with relatable numbers.
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If you were wondering what I picked in previous years…

Jim’s 10 for 2024: Ben Walker / Blair Davie / Bobbi Arlo / Cloud House / Fifidiny / Girls.Speak.French / Goliath / Joe Goodall / Kirsteen Harvey / Sixth Wonder

Jim’s 10 for 2023: Becky Sikasa / The Big Day / Calum Bowie / Kaeto / Katie Gregson-MacLeod / Medicine Cabinet / Pink Limit / Plasticine / Redolent / Russell Stewart

Jim’s 10 for 2022: Brooke Combe / Chef / The Katuns / Lvra / Morrell / Murdo Mitchell / Tamzene / Uninvited / Vlure / Wukasa

Jim’s 10 for 2021: Alex Amor / Bow Anderson / Daytime TV / Dead Pony / Drift / Joshua Grant / Liimo / Lizzie Reid / Mike McKenzie / Ruby Gaines

Jim’s 10 for 2020: Glassmasterer / Joesef / Keir Gibson / Luke La Volpe / Luna The Professor / Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves / Retro Video Club / Spyres / Swim School / Zoe Graham

Jim’s 10 for 2019: Beta Waves / The Dunts / The Eves / Hyyts / OK Button / Parliamo / The Snuts / Stephanie Cheape / Us (Unify Separate) / Vistas

Jim’s 10 for 2018: Anchor Lane / Callum Beattie / Dancing On Tables / Dogtooth / Lewis Capaldi / Love Sick / The 101 / Rascalton / Skjør / Static Union

Jim’s 10 for 2017: BooHooHoo / Brat And The Bonemen / Emme Woods / Indigo Velvet / Kvasir / The Lapelles / The Ninth Wave / Shvllows / Siights / The Vegan Leather

Jim’s 10 for 2016: 100 Fables / Be Charlotte / Bella And The Bear / JR Green / Lional / Lucia Fontainé / Man Of Moon / November Lights / Single By Sunday / The Van T’s

Jim’s 10 for 2015: C Duncan / Jim Valentine / Kloe / Monogram / Neon Waltz / Sunshine Social / Tallia Storm / Tuff Love / White / The Wild Curve

Jim’s 10 for 2014: The Amazing Snakeheads / Mark Angels / Baby Strange / Herculean / Honeyblood / In Atlanta / Jakil / Model Aeroplanes / Prides / Vigo Thieves

Jim’s 10 for 2013: Anderson McGinty Webster Ward and Fisher / Chvrches / Fatherson / Fluorescent Hearts / Flutes / Fridge Magnets / Holy Esque / Madison / Megan D / The Velveteen Saints

Jim’s 10 for 2012: Bwani Junction / Carly Connor / Discopolis / The Imagineers / Jack Townes / John Wean / The LaFontaines / Little Eye / Nina Nesbitt / Vukovi

Jim’s 10 for 2011: Any Color Black / Capitals / Dot JR / Julia And The Doogans / Midnight Lion / Mopp / Saint Kilda / Rachel Sermanni / Shambles Miller / Weather Barn

Jim’s 10 for 2010: Ambulances / The Boy Who Trapped The Sun / Erland & The Carnival / French Wives / Alex Gardner / GoGoBot / Grum / Kassidy / Kid Adrift / Kitty The Lion

Jim’s 10 for 2009: Alto Elite / Healthy Minds Collapse / Mr Kil / Paper Planes / Pearl And The Puppets / The Phantom Band / Punch & The Apostles / Sugar Crisis / The Velcro Quartet / We See Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2008: The Fire And I / Broken Records / Urbnri / Fangs / Glasvegas / Big Face / Kizzy Star / The Vivians / Twin Atlantic / Attic Lights

Jim’s 10 for 2007: Drive-By Argument / Flood Of Red / ElectricBoyShock / Ghosts / The Law / The Envy Corps / Sixpeopleaway / Low Vs Diamond / Sergeant / Crash My Model Car