Belle & Sebastian
This must be one of the most well-known Scottish bands out there. Belle & Sebastian play melodic and endearing indie-pop. There are traces of folk, and more traditional pop music. The early albums were quieter and more acoustically tuned. The newer albums have more instrumentation and bigger production.
God Help the Girl
God Help the Girl sounds a lot like later albums of Belle & Sebastian. There are catchy and innovative melodies and an endearing female vocals. Harmonies are great and string instruments give just enough spice for the great pop tunes.
Camera Obscura
This band continues the same line of bands as the first two. Perky pop music is filled with catchy hooks and melodies. This style of endearing pop seems to be quite usual for Scotland. To me it's just a great thing, because there's nothing I like quite as much as good melodies.
Teenage Fanclub
Teenage Fanclub is one of my all time favourite bands. Their melodies are simple and at first all the songs sound really similar. Once you listen to them a bit more you'll find all the great nuances and hooks. Some of the songs really mean a lot to me in my personal life. This has definitely been a part of the soundtrack of my life.
Primary 5
Much like Teenage Fanclub, Primary 5 relies on catchy and emotional melodies and calm singing voice that carries with it sadness and happiness at the same time. This band is quite new to me, but I can say straight away that there is definitely something exceptional in this band.
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand rocketed to space with their first album. It was already full of hits. Their post-punk influenced music is not quite as dark as many of their contemporary post-punk revival bands', but maybe because of just that this band became a frequent superstar in indie discos and radio playlists. They're one of the most iconic bands of the 2000's.
Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit is all that is great about indie rock. The slightly off-key and trembling singing voice carries huge emotion and electric guitars and drums make just amount of noise keeping the music still pleasantly melodic and touchable. Midnight Organ Fight is among the best albums of the 2000's.
We Were Promised Jetpacks
The name of this indie rock band sounds at first really annoying, but then when you start thinking about the 60's science fiction novels and their promises of the year 2000, I think it has a point. Their music is sometimes a bit overly produced, but there is definitely some great moments. Hard and fast indie rock with clucking guitars.
Glasvegas
There's no mistaking Glasvegas' origin. The lead singer sings in beautiful and strong Glasgow accent. The indie rock songs are loud and emotional songs building up all the time. This band is fantastic live, so if you have a chance to see them, I suggest you go for it.
Mogwai
Mogwai is one of the biggest names in 2000's music genre called post-rock. Mostly instrumental music has tough overdrive laden guitars and loud drumming. Decibels in their gigs can rise to very high levels, but if you carry earplugs, the pressure wave that this sound creates is worth it.
The Unwinding Hours
Another Scottish post-rock band with loud guitars and melancholic melodies. They sing a lot more than Mogwai and their sound is a bit American, but still I really like the lead singer's high-pitched and clear voice.The guitars do most of the work but all in all this band works great!
Astrid
Astrid reminds me of 90's Brit-pop bands but they have even closer link to 60's pop-rock than some of those Brit-pop superstars. There are definite audible links to bands like The Kinks and Rolling Stones. At the same time the sounds are much more modern.
The Aliens
The Aliens play pretty traditional rock n' roll with melodic tunes and vocals that remind me of 80's new wave bands. The songs may be a bit simple and repetitive, but it works in bringing the attitude up. Rock organ behind the rhythmic guitars is a great addition to masterful guitar solos.
Golden Grrrls
Golden Grrrls are a pretty typical indie band of the 2010's. The female vocals sing melodic tunes over lo-fi, shoegaze-like sounds. If you happen to know Veronica Falls, this band sounds a lot like them. Great songs for nights out and partying, but also for jogging and other physical activities.
Close Lobsters
This band's sounds look clearly to 80's aesthetics, but there's authenticity that was lacking from some of those new-wave bands back then. The treble-filled bass plays melodic tunes behind a lo-fi electric guitars and the lead singer sings in laconic baritone. Great stuff!
Withered Hand
If you love clear and melodic electric guitars and high clear vocals, Withered Hand is a band for you. Melodies are exceptionally good and yet there is simple familiarity that hooks you in from the first sounds. The compositions are really good and there's nothing bad to say about the sounds either.
as acoustic
This band's music is melodic and quite simple, but at the same time I feel like they have some influences from progressive rock bands of the 70's. It's definitely not as difficult but the rhythms are not always as simple as they sound. The sounds are at times highly produced but sometimes the huge guitar walls make it sound a bit lo-fi.
Aereogramme
Aereogramme plays light and beautiful pop with catchy melodies. The high vocals and strings make choruses explosive. The songs have a sense of drama and there are nice build-ups here and there. The clean piano sounds work brilliantly here.
A Band Called Quinn
This band is like a modern version of Blondie. Female vocals with attitude, punky pop-rock songs and catchy melodies. Although new-wave influences are apparent, there are lighter rock and disco spices there as well.
Admiral Fallow
Admiral Fallow is a new acquaintance for me, but a most welcome one. Catchy and melodic indie pop-rock songs with massive build-ups and danceability. Excellent running music, but also good music for parties and dancing.
Lightships
Lightships is like a light version of Teenage Fanclub. The melodies are really similar, but the attitude does not reach quite as high as with Teenage Fanclub. Still, there's something really appealing in these melancholic but hopeful tunes with lightness of air above them.
Travis
Travis does not need too much introductions. This 90's brit-pop band is surely familiar to most people who lived that time. The first album, The Man Who was one of the most iconic 90's albums, but then the second album was really disappointing. After this disappointment, they never quite made anything as good as the first album, but still there are some later songs that stand out.
Aberfeldy
Another light indie-pop group that makes wonderfully melodic songs about love. There are definitely some similarities to Belle & Sebastian, but the sounds have some originality. Especially the space synthesiser sounds are quite nice.
Adventures in Stereo
This funky pop group combines danceable beats of 90's britpop and perky female vocals known from 2010's indie pop bands. The songs may be a bit simple from time to time, but the sounds and atmosphere are still quite good.
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat
These two Scots are musicians in their own right, but together they have created something really special. Everything's Getting Older is a fantastic album with some spoken word songs and some sung songs with the most brilliant Scottish accent. The Copper Top is one of my favourite songs of last few years. Gives me the shivers with its beauty every time.
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Isobel Campbell of Belle & Sebastian got together with legendary Mark Lanegan to make hauntingly beautiful folk music combining Campbell's high-pitched endearing vocals that come together beautifully with Lanegan's deep baritone. Ballad of the broken Seas is an excellent album.
Donovan
Scotland's greatest folk singer influenced The Beatles in the 60's with his psychedelic melodies and indian influences. He started off playing quite traditional folk songs, but moved deeper into mysticism by the end of the 60's. Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman are phenomenal albums.
James Yorkston
James Yorkston is a folk singer par excellence! His sound is quite traditional, but there is some great use of instruments. The lyrics are particularly great. The sound is really pure with all the traditional folk instruments doing their part perfectly.
Stealer's Wheel
This band is mainly known for the great song Stuck in the Middle With You playing in the background in Reservoir Dog's famous ear cutting scene. The groove in this country sound is excellent. The rhythm makes you take some dance steps immediately.
The Waterboys
The Waterboys is one of the great post-punk bands of the 80's. As most of music in this style, The Waterboys play dark and melancholic melodies with strong bass lines. In my opinion, however, they made their greatest effort in their album Fisherman's Blues when they adopted a lot of country & folk influences to boost their sound.
Steve Mason
Steve Mason makes great folk music with some psychedelic spices. Sometimes the sound is really traditional and at other times it can move to completely absurd directions surprising at every turn. his high pitched vocals are beautiful and he makes fantastic harmonies on the albums with doubled track.
Mull Historical Society
This band sounds really commercial. Sometimes too commercial for my taste. I still have to admit that the catchy melodies work and I noticed getting ear worms from these beautifully constructed pop songs. Were the sounds a bit more lo-fi, this might be really enjoyable stuff.
Jesus and Mary Chain
This band is considered the father of Shoegaze. Their debut album Psycho Candy is really challenging stuff with it's huge guitar walls. If you want to start from something a bit easier I recommend picking up Darklands. This is a great 80's post-punk album with great hit material, still keeping the style and dark integrity of an underground band.
The Revolving Paint Dream
As the name might suggest, this band plays with psychedelic sounds and melodies. The obvious influence is 60's psychedelia and 70's krautrock, but the sounds are more modern. There is some fantastic surf rock styling there as well.
Primal Scream
Primal Scream is a Scottish answer to Madchester sound. The funky party songs are like a direct nod to Happy Mondays and the likes down in England. The album Screamadelica is still among the most recognisable album covers and songs like Loaded are played on radios and clubs. I would like to see a bit more melodies in my music, but still within this genre, Primal Scream is a classic.
Orange Juice
Orange Juice is one of the most legendary new-wave bands of the early 80's. Their lo-fi sound has influenced a number of indie bands ever since. The off-key vocals are at times a bit annoying, but in small portions this music is quite enjoyable. Historically this band is really significant part of indie music.
The Associates
The Associates represent the dark side of post-punk. They bear similarities to hypnotic riffs of Joy Division and the likes. Typical of the time, the vocals are a bit off-key sung in weird baritone. Electric guitars are raw and brutal.
The Vaselines
Nirvana made common people familiar with The Vaselines on their Unplugged album by covering their Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. The Vaselines is really low-fi, but the songs have great attitude and I can see why Kurt Cobain found their music appealing. This band shows that Sub Pop has always been a top class record company finding great talents for their lists.
Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada is probably my favourite ambient/electro band. Unlike most ambient bands, Boards of Canada sometimes has beats in the songs and they use sounds that go further than just random humming played at airports. Excellent music for relaxing at home on the sofa.
Arab Strap
This electronic band combines electro drums with some acoustic instruments. Aidan Moffat sings with his laconic baritone and heavy Scottish accent making the poppy surface much deeper. There's a weird combination of quiet melancholy and perky electro beats.
Bongshang
This band plays funky folk music, yes, you heard correctly, funky folk. This weird combination of fantastic bass lines, banjos, acoustic guitars and fiddles is very original at the same time using many familiar sounds and cliches. It's mostly instrumental, which in my opinion is the right choice here.
Average White Band
Average White Band is probably mostly unknown to masses, but once you hear the first lines of the song Pick Up the Pieces, you know that you've heard this before. Excellent 70's funk music with excellent bass lines and brasses.
Attic Lights
The instrumentation of this band sounds very American. There are some influences from cheesy 80's bands like Journey, but the music is not as cheesy. Still, I have to say, this music is not very hipstery. If you, however, enjoy some catchy pop-rock melodies, you may well like what you get from Attic Lights.
Ballboy
If there ever was a genre called folk-punk, Ballboy might be categorise in that genre. Their beats are fast, but their songs are played like folk songs and the melodies are more complex than in your average punk band. The groove in their songs is great!
BMX Bandits
This rock band is a model example of 80's melodic alternative rock band. Their music resembles the likes of R.E.M. and The Posies. They may not have as innovative songs, but the slightly lo-fi sounds make it endearing and highly enjoyable listening experience.
Aztec Camera
This 80's new wave band resembles The Smiths quite a lot. The singer has a similar way to sing and the instrumentations are not too far away from The Smiths sound. Melodies are great and there are nice unexpected hooks in their songs.
Cosmic Rough Riders
At the first sounds, this band sounds like pretty average pop music, but the melodies, singing harmonies and skilful playing lift it above the average pop-rock group. There are apparent similarities to bands like Teenage Fanclub.
The Bathers
The Bathers plays folky pop music with high pitched harmonies above baritone lead and acoustic guitars. At parts this music sounds a bit like The Hidden Cameras. There's lightness and summery feel to their songs.
Biffy Clyro
At first, Biffy Clyro sounds a bit too commercial for my taste. The sounds are overly produced. Still, underneath all that, there are great rock songs with emotional highs and lows. The most apparent comparison would be Jimmy Eat World.
King Creosote
King Creosote plays light and airy folk rock extending from acoustic guitars to excellent pop-rock sounds. There's some fantastic use of organs and strings to back up pretty basic rock instruments. The vocals are sung in a strong Scottish accent.
Battlefield Band
Battlefield Band's musk is really close to traditional English folk, but there's something more modern in their sound. They have certainly been around a long time, so there are different sounds depending on the decade.
Broken Records
Broken Records is one of my most interesting finds of late. Their emotional and beautiful folk rests heavily on simple piano tunes and emotional vocals of the lead singer. This is music that will move the world around you away and leave you wondering about the wonder of music.
Grant Campbell
Grant Campbell's deep baritone voice sounds a lot like Leonard Cohen but the music resembles Tom Waits. There are bluesy and glooming sounds deciphering great folk songs. This is quite perfect storytelling music.
Calamateur
Another airy and quiet indie band that relies on beautiful melodies and minimalism. This definitely isn't background music for noisy activities. You really need to focus on the sheer beauty of the music. Great for relaxing on the sofa.
Alex Cornish
This artist immediately strikes as something very special. I only just found it but the songs are so incredibly beautiful that I find myself looking for where to buy this album. Slow and melancholic, but oh so beautiful, folk music with great vocals.
De Rosa
Much like Alex Cornish above, De Rosa plays atmospheric quiet yet extremely beautiful folk music. The high-pitched vocals of the singer have quite strong Scottish accent, which is particularly enjoyable.
Justin Currie
This artist is a bit too commercial to my taste, but still the individual songs are really good. I would have liked the production to be a bit more authentic, but the lyrics are nice and melodies have that comforting simplicity that I love in music.
Cartoone
One of the old 60's psychedelic folk-pop bands that for some reason have been shadowed by the other contemporaries. Cartoone's music is skilfully composed and played. The sounds are typical to the 60's hippie era. Great stuff.
The Poets
The Poets plays 60's surf-rock/pop-rock that can be compared to the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Kinks and Donovan. The guitars are played skilfully and the original sounding vocals make their music rememberable.
Marmelade
Another 60's band from Scotland. Their bass lines are particularly enjoyable. There are quite fantastic vocal harmonies and melodies in their songs. Sometimes the production is a bit cheesy, but that can just be taken to be a part of the 60's techniques.
The Delgados
Fantastic dreamy baroque pop in the style of Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips. There are apparent traces from 60's psychedelia, but the sounds are more modern. There is childlike wonder in the way they play music and the sounds are just appropriately authentic.
The Clouds
The Clouds are quite typical indie pop bands with a quirky female singer. There are similarities to the likes of Regina Spektor. The sounds are quite stripped and sometimes consist only of piano and banjo with those endearing indie vocals.
Kris Denver
Kris Denver has a fantastic sound in his voice. He plays atmospheric dark folk songs with subtle Scottish accent. The songs are inventive and will surprise you with all the hooks and changes in them. Fantastic new find.
Kevin McDermott
This artist plays 80's style alternative rock-pop with mild folk stylings. The guitars are on overdrive, but the general sound is still light and beautiful. His high-pitched vocals sound fantastic. There's also some great guitar playing and solos here and there.
Django Django
This band is one of the most hipstery things of the last years. Their music bows to 60's psychedelia, but it's topped with modern danceable beats and high vocals. The melodies are surprising and they sometimes even have annoying sounds to enhance the memorability. Still, this band deserves to be lifted up from nameless mass of hipster bands.
1990s
As the name of the band suggests, 1990s sounds very 90's. If you listened to Brit-bands in the 90's you'll know that to be true. There are upbeat melodies and rocking attitude with very British sounds. Great party music but perhaps a tad annoying after a while.
Dogs Die In Hot Cars
This band combines together many influences and styles from the 80's underground music. There are definite traces of post-punk, new wave, ska and pop-rock in there. Typical for the decade, the vocals are a bit off-key and sung in baritone and falsetto.
Mother and the Addicts
This band is a close relative of the Madchester sound of the late 80's and early 90's. The cheesy electronic beats and sounds accompany off-key badly sung melodies. This music is very entertaining as party music, but after a while it may get a bit annoying.
Drive-by Argument
This band has quite produced sounds full of overdrive guitars and spas organ sounds. The vocals are fast and have a quite strong accent in them. The most apparent comparison is Maxïmo Park or The Future Heads. Guaranteed 2000's guitar indie from UK.
The Dykeenies
This band, again, is a bit too produced for my taste, but there are some great party melodies and songs in there. At times this band sounds exactly like The Wombats. Great for discos, nights out and partying, but a tad too generic to be listened to by yourself at home.
Geneva
This indie rock band has fantastic sounds with high-pitched vocals and sparkly guitars. The songs have nice rising highs at times and they certainly bring about great emotions with skilful use of strings. A bit cheesy sometimes, but once you get over that, pretty good stuff.
The Fratellis
This band knows how to make believable sounds. I could compare it to The Libertines, but The Fratellis are not as loud and they have better melodies than the Libertines do. Good use of authentic sounding electric guitars and great attitude.
Foxface
This folky pop band has great baritone vocals with Scottish accent and excellent harmonies. Instruments include a plucking mandolin. The compositions leave something to hope for, as the songs are not the most interesting ones, but the sounds give a promise for a possible great future.
Eagleowl
This band plays quite traditional folk melodies accompanied by crappy sounding drums and funny lyrics. The violin in the background gives this band a lot of character. If you like lo-fi sounds, you will not be disappointed by these.
The Golden Dawn
Melancholic folk music with a bit low-fi sounds. The lo-fi sound is really thought of and not just there by accident. There are traces of traditional English folk in the melodies but the sounds make The Golden Dawn's music interesting and different.
Lou Hickey
This female singer sings strong vocals on top of bluesy soul and r&b melodies. It's a bit more melodic than some other performers in this genre, which in my opinion is just a good thing. If you like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, this is somewhat of a crossover between those two.
The Hazey Janes
This fantastic country and western band is more melodic and more melancholic as their idols in South US. Sounds are fantastic and the vocals have airy feel to them. There are catchy hooks and melodic changes to keep you interested.
Lord Cut-Class
This funnily named artist sings folky pop-songs with original accent-filled voice of his. The lyrics are witty and funny. There are great female harmonies also to give nice spice to the mix. Few extra points for the double bass!
Bert Jansch
This man was a classic in folk music. He's definitely one of the best acoustic guitar players of all times. His songs are mostly instrumental and that is a good thing because that lets you just enjoy his perfect guitar-playing. A must-listen to all you guitar players out there.
Matt McGinn
It's a bit difficult to take this artist seriously, because of his overly pronounced Scottish accent. The songs, however are pretty good traditional folk songs with great stories and dark melodies. This goes to proof that some of the best traditional folk music has been made in Scotland.
Old Blind Dogs
This traditional folk group plays beautiful acoustic folk tales. Guitar and mandolin together make great harmonies and the thumping bass drum and flute bring their own spices to the mix. The mystical melodies are fit for rugged Scottish nature.
Moray McLaren
This artist bows to the old traditional folk songs, but the sound is much more modern. There's sad melancholy in the songs and they rise from quiet electronic clean guitars to full-on pop songs very beautifully. Excellent songwriting!
Sandi Thom
This woman makes absolutely beautiful modern folk with influences from more traditional songs and from country ballads. Her clear voice is absolutely fantastic and there is nothing wrong with the guitar playing either.
Mersault
Mersault combines English type of folk to Americana and country western. Banjo brings originality to otherwise more indie-pop style songs. The lead singer's voice is fantastic. Sounds a bit like Beirut, except for the Scottish accent.
Malolm Middleton
This singer-songwriter is one of the best finds on this list. His skilful folk-pop delivers melancholy, sadness and beauty, but also reasonably funny lyrics and excellent singing harmonies. This is a must listen for the friends of melancholic singer-songwriter genre.
Rachel Sermanni
This singer-songwriter plays beautiful and calm folk songs and sings them with her terrific high-pitched voice. Those of you, who like the sound of Julia Stone, will definitely like this as well. Absolute bliss.
My Latest Novel
This dream-folk band uses innovative sounds, which are not however electronic but made on various weird instruments. The melodies are absolutely beautiful and singing harmonies subtle and skilfully made. A lot of strings are involved.
The Pearlfishers
This band takes the folk melodies to more modern direction. At some parts the music is a bit overly produced, but the nice baritone voice and melodic picked guitars make this melancholic music quite beautiful to listen to.
Karine Polwart
Another skilful folk singer playing her songs with perfect voice and beautiful melodies. The way she pronounces the Scottish 'r' is fantastic. Very simple stuff, but really good relaxing music. There is some string arrangements in the songs.
Rab Noakes
This artist plays airy and melodic folk songs with catchy and beautiful melodies. This is one of those artists that really make you pay attention to the lyrics with his clear pronunciation. High-pitched vocals have a beautiful range.
Reindeer Section
Reindeer Section continues my list of folk artists making beautiful ballads. This band is a bit more produced than many others in this genre, but not in a bad way. Piano and guitar come together beautifully.
The Pastels
The Pastels is another melodic indie-pop band relying on catchy melodies and strong choruses. The songwriting could be a bit more innovative, but the general sound is very pleasant. Lo-fi aesthetics make this music really warm.
Maeve O'Boyle
O'Boyle is a fantastic singer. Her voice is the definite main part in this music. Still, the songs aren't bad either. The folk guitars and melodic piano give a beautiful background for her fantastic vocals rising very high from lower raspy tones.
North Atlantic Oscillation
This indie rock band uses mainly traditional band instruments, but there are some weird effects giving spice to the otherwise generic instrumentation. There are traces from progressive rock in the tempo and rhythms.
Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini makes funky and soulful rock music with influences from afrobeat. This is surprisingly summery music considering it comes from Scotland. Nutini's raspy voice is extremely good for this type of music.
The Phantom Band
This band has heavier sounds than most of the bands on this list. The guitars yell with overdrive and above that there soars The Doors style rock organs. Music is pretty basic pop-rock but with spices from 60's psychedelia.
The Shermans
This band is like a lost B-side of the 90's Brit-pop genre. The songs are perky and melodic with a skilful female singer. The instrumentation and vocal harmonies come together beautifully to make great music.
Spirea X
This sunny and upbeat band makes danceable pop-rock songs that could be compared to Happy Mondays and Primal Scream. The 80's music style is present throughout, but the sounds are much more tolerable than usually in that genre.
Trashcan Sinatras
This airy and melodic indie pop resembles Travis quite a lot. There are strong choruses and high-pitched vocals with simple but beautiful melodies. The instrumentation is pretty basic. there's nothing that really stands out with this band, but it's nice to listen to.
The Twilight Sad
This indie rock band sounds quite brilliant. There's eccentric use of guitars, great melodies, Scottish accent and rising songs. This is like the Scottish version of Arcade Fire when it comes to sounds and melodies.
The View
This band could maybe be described as indie pop-rock. The most striking feature is the strong Scottish accent. Drums pound cheerily and the choruses are memorable and catchy. This is one of the bands that will stay in your head after just one listen.
The Wake
This funky shoe gazing band plays mostly clean electric guitars. the vocals are laconic and weird. The sounds are airy and otherworldly. The melodies could maybe be a bit more innovative, but otherwise this music is pretty great.
Zoey Van Goey
This indie-pop band makes funny sounds and melodies with sunny and cheery attitude. The songs are danceable and memorable. There is some great use of more unconventional instruments. Male and female vocals sing doubled vocals.
KT Tunstall
This singer-songwriter plays bluesy indie pop with traces of folk. Her voice is beautiful and you can hear that she really knows how to sing according to the book. Beautiful stuff but the melodies could be more interesting.
Lori Watson
It's good to end this fantastic list with this beautiful voiced singer-songwriter, who has an endearing Scottish accent and a beautiful high-pitched voice. The songs are mostly accompanied by simple picking acoustic guitars.
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