MUSIC ROUNDUP: December Releases 2022
DECEMBER…hellooooo! Can we talk about just how fast has this year gone in!? What a year it has been for new music - we’ve loved featuring SO many talented artists in the music roundup! We also had a blast hosting events at Sound City, Focus Wales, Paisley Takeover, Pitch, New Skool Rules Rotterdam, and also the 13th edition of the music awards last month at Saint Luke’s. Catch up with all the highlights of last month’s SAMA ceremony here.
It is time for one last music roundup of 2022…get locked into this, headphones on, and grab yourself a cuppa or since its Christmas - a mulled wine!
-Team SAMA
Words by Ewan MacDonald
In alphabetical order:
Ask Alice - Heartwork (Live version)
After the last single Demonia established the new style of Ask Alice, paving the way for this new sonic adventure. With this latest track, a live version of the song Heartwork, Ask Alice creates a stunning synth landscape that envelops you immediately in the cocoon of wavy chords.
Escher - drain rat
Interlocked in musical harmony, Jazz outfit Escher are absolute masters of their craft. On this latest cut, drain rat, the band meld together tight bass groove with a headful of sax and woodwind harmonies as the main motif, but switching flawlessly into tighter, aggressive runs to change it up.
Jodie Elizabeth King - flesh & bone
Hailing from Fife, Jodie Elizabeth King is a burgeoning young Alt-Folk artist with her debut single flesh and bone coming ahead of her first EP due in March 2023. Icy piano stabs and wistful guitar serve as the serene backing to Kings vocal performance, as she hangs each note in the air like a breath in the winter cold.
JusHarry - What's Happening?
Producing a sleek mix of club ready Trap beats with an honest and emotional perspective, JusHarry elevates himself with this new single What’s Happening? Backed by Lude on production duties, JusHarry is able to weave through with his elegant flow.
Katie Gregson-MacLeod - to be eighteen
After a spectacular year of nothing but highs, young songwriter Kate Gregson-MacLeod has took the world by storm with her tender and striking songs. Her demo for ‘Complex’ captured and broke the hearts of everyone, paving the way for the artist to release her sophomore EP entitled ‘songs written for piano’. This track, ‘to be eighteen’ is subtle in its movements with just the gentlest touch of the guitar strings and piano keys to create a warm but bitterly nostalgic atmosphere. No doubt next year will bring this phenomenal young artist another wave of quality releases.
MAYO, Lude - Pressin Me
Up and coming MC Mayo has teamed up with the producer Lude to deliver his second single title Pressin Me. A throbbing kick drum and pitched strings in the background create a menacing vibe that allows MAYO to truly dig in with his bars and commanding presence.
Pocket Monica - Glow
SAMA Best Newcomer winners Pocket Monica have had a sensational year, with a string of live dates across the country showcasing their experimental electronic-jazz fusion. Their debut single Glow is a hypnotic whirlwind of synthesised instruments grooving alongside the likes of a harmonica. A superb showcase of the genre bending this band are so well versed in.
Sinathi - Back to Sender
SAMA Nominee for Best Newcomer, Sinathi continues to break sonic ground and transform his sound. On this new track, Back to Sender, the Producer/Artist dials it back with a Neo-soul vibe, glassy licks and gospel backing vocals setting the mood.
T e s t p r e s s - On My Own
The powerhouse dance duo T e s t p r e s s have made their name as one of the hottest acts to come out onto the Scottish dance and techno scene. With their infectious grooves reaching every basement venue and festival tent across the country this year, the duo have decided to squeeze one last dance into 2022 with the new single On My Own. An expansive track that keeps bringing you back in for more each time the bass drum drops back in.
Ziggy - Getaway
Ziggy is one of the fresh new pop artist on the block with her first single “Getaway” courtesy of the newly established record label ICON MUSIC. Flourishes on snappy guitar licks along with the Afrobeat rhythms create a summer breeze that is so desperately needed in these cold times.