The Winter Tradition are an up-and-coming Edinburgh-based quartet who play a pretty combination of indie and pop. They have already shared the stage with Nine Black Alps, Hundred Reasons and Johnny Foreigner, putting them in illustrious and underrated company. Hopefully with their debut album ’Gradients,’ these Scottish upstarts will get the recognition they deserve.

Opener ‘Firelight’ is a tight and perfectly formed pop song. It grabs the ear immediately. Following this opening punch, ‘San Diego’ is a mesmerising and raw song in the style of Scottish contemporaries The Xcerts.

‘Send The Waves’ offers some variation with a Temper Trap-style guitar sound (think the opening to ‘Sweet Disposition’ and you’ll be close) and a delicate xylophone melody. The sound is fresh and combined with the vocal performance (I’m sure there’s something extra-likeable about Scottish singers) ‘Send The Waves’ becomes a real album highlight.

‘Nightscape,’ as one might imagine by the title, is a dark and peaceful track, punctuated by a starry guitar sound that oozes charm. It is one of the most composed tracks on the album, a glimpse perhaps of a broodier edge to the pop brilliance of the album.

There is a maturity to The Winter Tradition that is unusual for such a young band. The sound is well-rounded, evidenced in the beautifully complex ‘Conquer The Sky, Icarus’ and ‘Black Tiger,’ as well as closer ‘Tides And Telegrams.’ Tender and endearing, The Winter Tradition create something very special with ’Gradients.’

Overall, this is a beguiling and romantic album. There is a warmth and passion to the tracks that engages from first listen and every song is perfectly formed. The future is bright for these lot for sure, do yourself a favour and get in on the ground floor!

4/5

‘Gradiants’ by The Winter Tradition is available now on Kittiwake Records.

The Winter Tradition links: Official Website|Facebook|Twitter|Soundcloud|Youtube

Words by Tom White