Into Music: New Music March 2026
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Having formed in 2013, there was a point five or six years later where VIDA appeared to be on the cusp of being the next big Scottish act to hit the big-time. A sold out show at Edinburgh’s Liquid Room following a steady supply of well received singles had paved the way and working with the likes of Steve Craddock and Kyle Webster only added to their burgeoning reputation. Then, nothing as a hiatus impeded matters until last year when the group got back together.
The Alloa band have a new single out, the exquisite These Times which clocks in at three minutes of indie Brit-pop goodness and has a certain swagger while retaining melodious vibes courtesy of a gallus vocal by front-man Jamie Pollock.
Not only that but the band have announced two shows – Glasgow King Tuts on 3rd April and Aberdeen Tunnels on 4th April. A band that comes alive on stage, playing to audiences is in their DNA and with new music and that string of guitar-based belters, it is a welcome return for VIDA.
For more on the track, the gigs and the band, head to the website here.
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In recent years these been a real positive gaze through to the rich tapestry of Scottish music from the mid 1970s to the 1990s, long forgotten and some unknown bands coming to the forefront once again. The excellent music documentary Since Yesterday, released in 2024 has played a big part in that. The film focused on the untold story of Scottish girl bands and it was a roaring success, sparking and rekindling interest in acts such as Strawberry Switchblade, Sophisticated Boom Boom and The Twinsets.
So this release which covers three John Peel sessions from January 1982 through to November 1983 is particularly welcome. There is much to admire here, the Edinburgh band’s songs are steeped in 1960s harmonies while the guitar sound is scratchy yet melodic. Opener Stranded In The Jungle sets the template for kitchen-sink schtick lacquered with home-made popness that invariably leads to the listener humming along or shaking the hips.
It’s on the second Peel session that the band really come into their own though. The trio of Zippo, Talk and The Monkees-esque Out Of Nowhere more than stand the test of time since these songs were aired on the radio. At times there are elements of The Slits, Mo-Dettes and I imagine a certain Duglas S.Stewart was taking notes as he was about to embark on his own musical journey.
The sleeve notes are quite the thing too – Gaye and Rachel Bell mention the first gig The Twinsets played at Edinburgh’s Nite Club. No songs, didn’t have a full band, yet it was a glorious night of chaos, harmonies and utter fun. Listen to this record and that’s the feeling you’ll get, of a band who are having the best time, absolutely “in the moment” and still producing tunes that work, not despite of but because of the idiosyncrasies. Don’t you wish there were more bands like that these days? I do!
The last Peel session contains Glittering New Day which is insanely catchy, the band playing an upbeat tempo with cool bass and guitar swerves while Gaye and Rachel shriek the vocal, an absolute manic pop thrill. Meant To Be has a distinctive bass which lends to a fuller sound that might have suggested where the band direction would go, but ultimately it was not to be with the group splitting in 1984.
Not only is this a vital release in the history of Scotland’s musical story, The Twinsets are currently working on their debut 7″ single – keep an eye out for that.
To buy the LP, head over to the Bandcamp page here.
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Let’s just cut to the chase shall we? Isolation by Special Friend is one of the songs of the year. There you go, I’ve said it. A laid back track that just drips with laconic beauty. The vocal reminds me of Camera Obscura/Mazzy Star courtesy of drummer Erica Ashleson while Guillaume Siracusa’s guitar work moves elegantly from slow wooziness to mesmeric fret work. I can imagine this playing out well on a David Lynch/Twin Peaks interlude, the track seems to physically ache, the feelings of melancholy and loneliness seeping through the ears and hard wires the brain but it’s impossible to (want to) escape from it.
The single is a pre-cursor to the new album Clipping (the band’s third) which will be released on Skep Wax Records on 20 March 2026. If this single is anything to go by, the album will be something special. Promising everything from dreampop to Krautrock, agit-post-punk disco and a whole lot more.
Special Friend are touring England and Wales in March in support of the album. Real shame there is no Scottish date but it wouldn’t surprise me if the band return quickly as I suspect once the word gets out, the cool cats will flood to see them.
For more on the band, head to their Bandcamp page here.
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