Acolyte: Edinburgh's Psychedelic Duo Bringing a Slow-Burn Hypnotic Sound
In Edinburgh's vibrant music scene, Acolyte stands out for their unique blend of earthy psychedelia and slow-burning hypnosis. The group, comprising Iona Lee on vocals, Ruairidh Morrison on bass, Daniel Hill on percussion, and Gloria Black on synth, has been gaining momentum over the past seven years. With a distinctive sound that draws inspiration from jazz, trip-hop, and spoken word, Acolyte is poised to make a significant impact in the music world.
Their latest release, Warm Days in December, pairs drowsy synthesizers with baile funk-inspired grooves and hand drumming, creating a captivating blend of sounds. However, beneath the surface lies a darker tone, as evidenced by Lee's macabre lyrics that address climate collapse and mortality. This dichotomy is characteristic of Acolyte's style, veering between the eerie and the sinister.
The EP's accompanying remixes further underscore the group's unique sound, with Ravelston's beat-forward remix adding to the hypnotic atmosphere. As fans of Dry Cleaning, Massive Attack, and Nick Cave, those familiar with these genres will find much to appreciate in Acolyte's atmospheric soundscapes.
Other notable releases this week include Ganavya's soulful collaboration with Sam Amidon, Duendita's uplifting indie-pop gem, Ruthven's funk-infused revival, Modern Nature's delicate indie-rock track Shasta, and PVA's haunting industrial techno. Varials' metalcore offering Where the Light Leaves rounds out the list.
For fans of slow-burning psychedelia and atmospheric soundscapes, Acolyte is definitely worth checking out. With their upcoming EP in early 2026 and a growing discography under their belt, this Edinburgh-based duo is set to make waves in the music scene.
In Edinburgh's vibrant music scene, Acolyte stands out for their unique blend of earthy psychedelia and slow-burning hypnosis. The group, comprising Iona Lee on vocals, Ruairidh Morrison on bass, Daniel Hill on percussion, and Gloria Black on synth, has been gaining momentum over the past seven years. With a distinctive sound that draws inspiration from jazz, trip-hop, and spoken word, Acolyte is poised to make a significant impact in the music world.
Their latest release, Warm Days in December, pairs drowsy synthesizers with baile funk-inspired grooves and hand drumming, creating a captivating blend of sounds. However, beneath the surface lies a darker tone, as evidenced by Lee's macabre lyrics that address climate collapse and mortality. This dichotomy is characteristic of Acolyte's style, veering between the eerie and the sinister.
The EP's accompanying remixes further underscore the group's unique sound, with Ravelston's beat-forward remix adding to the hypnotic atmosphere. As fans of Dry Cleaning, Massive Attack, and Nick Cave, those familiar with these genres will find much to appreciate in Acolyte's atmospheric soundscapes.
Other notable releases this week include Ganavya's soulful collaboration with Sam Amidon, Duendita's uplifting indie-pop gem, Ruthven's funk-infused revival, Modern Nature's delicate indie-rock track Shasta, and PVA's haunting industrial techno. Varials' metalcore offering Where the Light Leaves rounds out the list.
For fans of slow-burning psychedelia and atmospheric soundscapes, Acolyte is definitely worth checking out. With their upcoming EP in early 2026 and a growing discography under their belt, this Edinburgh-based duo is set to make waves in the music scene.
. I remember back in my day when we used to go to these underground clubs that played all sorts of weird stuff – from trip-hop to ambient electronica. It was like a whole different world, you know? These bands were always pushing the boundaries and creating this sense of atmosphere that would just draw you in.
But seriously, it's interesting to see them explore these darker themes – climate collapse and mortality can be pretty heavy stuff. Still, the music itself is so captivating that you just can't help but get lost in it.
I mean think about it, have you ever heard of an artist that's like 'hey, let's just talk about how messed up the world is'? That's Acolyte's vibe all over their new release Warm Days in December. They're not sugarcoating anything, they're going straight for the feels, and honestly, I kinda love it. It's like they're making a statement, saying 'hey, we can't just pretend everything is okay when it's clearly not'. It's like that whole 'artistic expression' thing... can music be protest? 
. I mean, come on, can't they just pick a few standout tracks and actually explain why they're worth listening to? Warm Days in December is literally the only thing mentioned here and it's basically just "it's psychedelic" 
. What about any actual insight into Acolyte's sound or what sets them apart from other similar artists?
. Their sound is so hauntingly beautiful it gives me chills every time I listen to it. The way they blend earthy psychedelia with slow-burning hypnosis is pure magic 
. I love how their music can be both eerie and sinister at the same time - it's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
. And have you seen the lyrics on this latest release? Climate collapse and mortality, man... it's heavy stuff 
. Anyway, if you're into slow-burning psychedelia and atmospheric soundscapes, you gotta check out Acolyte ASAP 
and i'm def here for that slow-burn hypnotic vibe 
i love how they blend jazz & trip-hop w/ spoken word vibes its like a whole different world 
and idk about the dark tone but i think thats what makes it so intriguing 
i've been listening 2 dry cleaning & massive attack all day btw
and i'm HOOKED on that dark yet hypnotic vibe 
anyway, gotta give it up for these edinburgh cats 