Selects is our brand new monthly spotlight on ten emerging artists making serious noise under the surface.
Five are sent to our inbox—direct from the artists or their team. The other five? We’ve dug for them ourselves. Because great music deserves to be found, not just fed to us.
This isn’t a shout into the void—it’s a carefully curated signal boost. A way of saying: “We see you. Others should too.”
At Bonnie Scotland Presents, we believe music has the power to inspire and unite us all. And, that belief is the heartbeat behind everything we do. Radar isn’t just about plays or stats. It’s about giving space to voices that deserve to be heard and helping listeners fall in love with something new, real, and full of possibility.
I know not everyone uses spotify so beside each track you will find a link that will take you to the song and every platform it is available on. Don’t miss out, get adding these tracks to your playlists!
PS… Click the track artwork to visit the bands socials!
From the inbox...
Panhead Sharps – Left Behind
Vibe: Indie-rock banger
From the band: “Left Behind” explores themes of personal strength and letting go – a bold, guitar-driven reflection on standing up for yourself and moving on from toxic situations. We’ve leaned into a raw, energetic sound for this one, and we hope it resonates.
Rhuari Says: Left Behind is a pounding indie rock song and a call-back to the Britpop era, which I’d pop in a box with Stereophonics, The Fratellis, and The Charlatans if I had to file them away neatly. There is a perfect sing-along hook at the outro for your indie club nights out.
The Painting – Scarlett
Vibe: Indie-pop hit
From the band: “Scarlett” tells the story of falling fast for someone
beautiful, complicated—and completely in love with pop
culture. It’s light-hearted but emotional, perfectly
capturing that dizzying first stage of connection.
Rhuari says: If Lewis Capaldi had a band, this is what they’d sound like. This is a big track full of emotion, featuring massive drums, reverb-laden guitar, synths, and beautiful vocals. The song feels huge, and I would be surprised if Radio One hadn’t snapped this up yet.
When I was Young – Dash
Vibe: punk-punk’s emo phase
From the band: Dash is a song highlighting mental abuse for a male perspective. Although we are mainly a pop punk band we see this more as a Jimmy Eat world style song and it was experimental for us to try using different tuning.
Rhuari says: This song feels like it’s from Blink’s emo era. These guys are clearly big fans of that era and the 2000s pop-punk era, as they’ve managed to create something that is heavily influenced but not derivative in any way. It’s entirely new but super nostalgic. With beautifully syncopated drums, duelling guitars, and emotive, nostalgic vocals, this easily slips into your pop-punk playlist.
Neil Morrison – Cry, Cry, Cry (You Cupids)
Vibe: Moody Americana
From the band: “Cry, Cry, Cry (You Cupids!)” is a haunting duet that weaves together themes of lost love, desire, and cruel twists of fate. At its core, it’s a heartbreaking ballad, richly layered with instrumentation inspired by the moody depths of Gothic Folk, the raw edges of Americana, and the cinematic flair of Spaghetti Western, the song paints a desolate emotional landscape that lingers long after the last note.
Rhuari says: Hey, stick a mandolin on and a track and you’ve caught my attention. This is a sort of melancholic Americana-influenced tune that Bob Dylan’s cooler, darker little brother might have written in the eighties. This song is what I’ve been looking for so many times in my life and I have left disappointed because I didn’t find this exact song. Em…where can I get tickets to see this live?
Stephen McCafferty – I only want to hear sad songs
Vibe: Mellifluous & Emotional
From the artist: “I Only Want To Hear Sad Songs” was written around six years ago during a period of introspection and therapy. Influenced by the dreamy melancholy of The Blue Nile, who recorded their debut in the same studio I now use, and the existential pulse of Bowie’s Let’s Dance era, the track explores cycles of emotional numbing and self-destruction
Rhuari says: This songs weaves between a few different vibes starting with a slow Frabbits-esque vibe, then a chorus that I can only link with the likes of Vampire Weekend and The Wombats. The Outro is a tremendous crescendo of haunting vocals and guitars. It’s a really special song and I think probably my favourite from Stephen.
Fresh finds…
Berry Hagman – Be Yourself (Unless you can be Bob Dylan)
Vibe: Clever humour with a kind message
Rhuari says: I think the title says it all here. This is a beautifully simple idea delivered perfectly and with intellect and humour. For an extra bit of banter, check out the B-side The Time Bob Dylan Lost His Keys.
Squid – Fieldworks II
Vibe: Chaotic & Creative
Rhuari says: I recently discovered these guys and absolutely fell in love. They are wild and wonderful. They obviously love sound and audio, and this shows in their anarchic creativity. For fans of Idles, with a touch of Radiohead/Floyd influence, and some ear candy.
Porter Boys Social Club – Confessions on a Monday
Vibe: Irish pub band
Rhuari says: I think these guys probably popped up on a Spotify playlist with The Mary Wallopers, so that probably tells you what you need to know about their sound. This is a cracking wee song with a bit of patter and Sunday afternoon, old-man-pub jam session vibes.
Dylan James Tierney – Winter Blues
Vibe: Great modern love song
Rhuari says: I stumbled upon Dylan playing in the new venue in Inverness (An Seomar) and was totally drawn in by his voice. This is the sort of love song that people will be selecting as their first dance or for a montage on the latest rom-com.
The The – This is the Day
Vibe: Ethereal, nostalgic, celebration
Rhuari says: I’m sorry if this is breaking the rules Bonnie, but I just wanted to end on one of my all-time favourite songs. This song fills me with so much joy.
*Rhuari presses play and dances out of the room in slow motion as the credits roll
