Autumn bids us a fine farewell to vibrant hues for another year, and I can already sense Jack Frost on the icy horizon. And with him, he brings the very common yet universally dreaded condition of the good ol’ ‘winter blues’. But this year, I’ve found a ‘winter blues’ I can get behind – that isn’t really musical ‘blues’ at all. It’s riff-ridden and guttural alternative rock from the Scottish Music Scene. Blue Nicotine’s debut album, Into the blue, is something I think you could really get behind. So, let’s go for a deep dive…

Bio: Blue Nicotine are a three-piece, Glasgow based alternative rock band, originally created by multi-instrumentalist Aidan Kelly in 2019. Their largest single ‘1982’ (which is featured on this album), garnered over 67k streams on Spotify.

For fans of (FFO): Biffy Clyro, 1975, Foo Fighters, Royal Blood

One-line review: “I didn’t know it was possible for an album to sound exactly like a colour – that takes some serious arrangement and talent to create.”

Stand-out tracks: Fading, Alone Together, Placebo Effect (personal favourite)

Brutally Honest Impression:

I’ve been reviewing both emerging and seasoned artists from the Scottish Music Scene for over 6 years now, and as much as I’ve been witness to some authentic and unique talent over that time, it’s natural to pick up on some patterns that, as a journalist, become peeves. Some of which I call ‘copy & paste’ bands (clones of other bands), and ‘forced accent’ fronts (overly forced Scottish accents from vocalists that feel somewhat inauthentic). It’s my first fear before I review any band.

Blue Nicotine evaded that. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief when I heard an unforced Scottish accent from frontman, Aidan Kelly. His vocals felt melodically authentic, showcasing an impressive and natural range which I found quite unique from an alternative rock band. What really did it for me? The riffs. It quite literally blew me away. Well, not literally or I’d be typing this from the River Clyde. Which, oddly, feels a fitting concept for this album…

From first impressions, it was immediately obvious to me that the production was highly professional and the arrangement was seamless, especially on my favourite track from the album ‘Placebo Effect’. Seriously, wait until you hit the 2 minute mark of this song and your faith in meaty bass lines will be restored.

And, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you’re served a godly guitar solo. If Goldilock’s was looking for the perfect track to get stuck into instead of porridge, she’d choose this. Not too decorated, not too simple – just right.

I’ve been a huge fan of concept albums for the longest time, owing that to Pink Floyd and The Beatles, but those are overtly conceptual. You know, Animals, an album whose tracks are all named after animals from George Orwell’s Animal Farm. It’s obvious.

I’m inclined to say that Into The Blue is, in contrast, subtly conceptual. Its theme isn’t driven by the names of the tracks, but rather by the ambience from its musical arrangement. Into The Blue feels, well…BLUE! And that’s exactly it. It doesn’t just sound like something, it feels like something. That’s pretty powerful stuff. 

For me, Into The Blue was missing unique drum pattern variations that invited something a little more exciting into an alternative rock album. Though consistently and objectively good in its entirety, I just longed for something a little more. I wanted a bit of spice in my rhythmic porridge!

At times, the lyrics can be hard to grasp, so I found it difficult to relate to Kelly’s lyrical sentiments and as a literary fanatic, this was a little sad because…I want to feel! Luckily, the real feel of this album is carried by its instrumentation and Kelly’s melodic voice, so it can really afford to have these gaps.

Anyway, it’s time for the instrument scoreboard (drum roll, please!)…

Over all rating:

Blue Nicotine really hit all the marks for a solid debut album that showcases professional production, seamless arrangements and powerfully charged riffs that, in honesty, I was not expecting. There are tracks from this album that I’d gladly revisit due to their freshness and memorability. Oh, and did I mention that the riffs blew me away? Into the Blue definitely left me a bit hungry in some places, craving a bit of variety and a little more excitement, but not enough to complain to the chef. Because, truly, this is fantastic work!

Are you looking to have your music, writing or art featured or reviewed? Contact Ailsa Gillies Editorial below or email ailsagillieseditorial@gmail.com.

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