Edinburgh's psychedelic outfit Acolyte has been quietly building momentum with their unique blend of jazz, trip-hop, and spoken word. Characterized by their slow-burn hypnosis and velvety voice, the group's music is as entrancing on stage as it is in a dimly lit Leith Walk bar.
Acolyte's latest release, Warm Days in December, has arrived amidst a flurry of activity, including a clubbier remix and hints at an upcoming EP in early 2026. The single pairs languid synthesizers with a baile funk-inspired beat, but beneath the surface lies lyrics that tackle climate collapse with unflinching candor.
The song's protagonist, poet Iona Lee, weaves a macabre tale of mortality and despair, her voice dripping with an air of foreboding. It's a stark contrast to the warmer, more upbeat tone of the accompanying remix from EHFM regular Ravelston. While that version plays into Acolyte's chic world-building, Warm Days in December is a more grounded, earthy affair.
In a broader musical landscape dotted with releases from Ganavya, Duendita, Ruthven, Modern Nature, Samara Cyn, PVA, and Varials, Acolyte stands out for its unique sonic identity. Whether it's the Indian-American folk singer Ganavya's mournful delivery or Philadelphia metalcore band Varials' face-melting blast beats, each track is a testament to diversity and creativity.
As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: Acolyte's unhurried pace will continue to intrigue and captivate listeners. Their commitment to experimentation and artistic expression has them well-positioned to join the ranks of the best new acts making waves in the indie music scene today.
Acolyte's latest release, Warm Days in December, has arrived amidst a flurry of activity, including a clubbier remix and hints at an upcoming EP in early 2026. The single pairs languid synthesizers with a baile funk-inspired beat, but beneath the surface lies lyrics that tackle climate collapse with unflinching candor.
The song's protagonist, poet Iona Lee, weaves a macabre tale of mortality and despair, her voice dripping with an air of foreboding. It's a stark contrast to the warmer, more upbeat tone of the accompanying remix from EHFM regular Ravelston. While that version plays into Acolyte's chic world-building, Warm Days in December is a more grounded, earthy affair.
In a broader musical landscape dotted with releases from Ganavya, Duendita, Ruthven, Modern Nature, Samara Cyn, PVA, and Varials, Acolyte stands out for its unique sonic identity. Whether it's the Indian-American folk singer Ganavya's mournful delivery or Philadelphia metalcore band Varials' face-melting blast beats, each track is a testament to diversity and creativity.
As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: Acolyte's unhurried pace will continue to intrigue and captivate listeners. Their commitment to experimentation and artistic expression has them well-positioned to join the ranks of the best new acts making waves in the indie music scene today.
and I'm obsessed their frozen yogurt is literally better than regular yogurt lol anyway back to Acolyte... have you guys listened to that one band from Japan, M83? they're like the psychedelic cousin of Acolyte but with more synths 
but what I love about Warm Days in December is how they're not afraid to tackle some heavy topics like climate collapse. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, you know? The lyrics are like a punch to the gut, but in a good way 
. Their music may be slow-burning, but it's got some serious substance behind it.
. On a positive note, that remix from Ravelston is a total game-changer 
, and I'm excited to see what this EP has in store for us next year! The music scene right now is looking super diverse and vibrant, it's awesome to see artists pushing boundaries like Acolyte 
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. Their music might not be everyone's cuppa, but they're brewing something special, and I'm intrigued to see where their creative journey takes them next 
. With all the talented new acts popping up left and right, it'll be interesting to see how Acolyte's unique sound holds its own - but I've got a feeling they're going to make some beautiful music... even if it does come with a warning label about climate collapse 
but at the same time the remix from ravelston is a whole different vibe lol love how they're not afraid to experiment with their sound 
anyhoo i'm really rooting for acolyte to keep making music that's true to themselves can't wait to see what they have in store for us in 2026 
i love how the lyrics are tackling these heavy climate collapse issues, it feels so important for artists to speak out on stuff like that. and can we talk about Iona Lee's voice tho? 
I love how Acolyte is pushing boundaries with their unique sound, blending jazz & trip-hop with spoken word. The fact that they're tackling climate collapse in a hauntingly beautiful way, like Iona Lee's voice on Warm Days in December, is really powerful 
. Can't wait to see what they have planned for 2026, but for now, I'm already hooked on this latest single 
their unique blend of jazz and trip-hop is so entrancing I've been listening to it on repeat since it dropped 
can't wait for that upcoming EP in 2026, I'm hyped!
. And can we talk about how diverse the indie scene is right now? It's like, there's this amazing array of sounds and styles, and Acolyte is definitely one to keep an ear on 
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It's like they're speaking straight to my soul 
. Can't wait for that EP in 2026! 
I mean who else can make a song about mortality sound as smooth as a baile funk beat? Warm Days in December is on repeat rn, gotta get that EP when it drops. And yaaas, more indie music with diversity and creativity - just what we need to spice up our playlists