Acolyte, a Scottish psychedelic collective, has been quietly building momentum with their unique blend of earthy psychedelia and slow-burn hypnosis. The four-piece band, which features poet Iona Lee's commanding vocals and a looped bass line that sets the tone for their atmospheric soundscapes, have released just two singles this year but are gearing up for a long-awaited EP in early 2026.
Their latest release, "Warm Days in December," is a standout track that showcases Acolyte's ability to craft infectious beats while tackling darker themes. The song features drowsy synths and a baile funk-inspired groove, with Lee's macabre lyrics cutting through the heat. Lyrically, the song is a bleak commentary on climate collapse, with lines like "I've been thinking about the seasons / I've been thinking about how the young do not live long."
Acolyte has gained a reputation as fixtures of Edinburgh's gig-turned-performance art scene, and their music reflects this aesthetic. Working with Lost Map, the free-spirited indie label run by Pictish Trail, they have built a unique sound that is both glamorously unhurried and sinisterly compelling.
For fans of Dry Cleaning, Massive Attack, and Nick Cave, Acolyte's slow-burn psychedelia is sure to be a draw. With their debut EP on the horizon, it's clear that this band is one to watch in the coming year.
In the meantime, listeners can discover more great new tracks, including:
- Ganavya – Would Be Better (ft Sam Amidon), a folk-pop collaboration with US folkie Amidon
- Duendita – Uplifted One, a hopeful and meditative indie-electronic track
- Ruthven – Precognition, a funk revivalist tune with Daryl Hall-esque vocals
- Modern Nature – Shasta, an indie-rock warmer with dappled soundscapes
- Samara Cyn – What Will They Say, an LA MC's take on political apathy and classic soul
- PVA – Send, a south London trio's haunting industrial techno
- Varials – Where the Light Leaves, a Philadelphia metalcore band's blast-beat showcase
Their latest release, "Warm Days in December," is a standout track that showcases Acolyte's ability to craft infectious beats while tackling darker themes. The song features drowsy synths and a baile funk-inspired groove, with Lee's macabre lyrics cutting through the heat. Lyrically, the song is a bleak commentary on climate collapse, with lines like "I've been thinking about the seasons / I've been thinking about how the young do not live long."
Acolyte has gained a reputation as fixtures of Edinburgh's gig-turned-performance art scene, and their music reflects this aesthetic. Working with Lost Map, the free-spirited indie label run by Pictish Trail, they have built a unique sound that is both glamorously unhurried and sinisterly compelling.
For fans of Dry Cleaning, Massive Attack, and Nick Cave, Acolyte's slow-burn psychedelia is sure to be a draw. With their debut EP on the horizon, it's clear that this band is one to watch in the coming year.
In the meantime, listeners can discover more great new tracks, including:
- Ganavya – Would Be Better (ft Sam Amidon), a folk-pop collaboration with US folkie Amidon
- Duendita – Uplifted One, a hopeful and meditative indie-electronic track
- Ruthven – Precognition, a funk revivalist tune with Daryl Hall-esque vocals
- Modern Nature – Shasta, an indie-rock warmer with dappled soundscapes
- Samara Cyn – What Will They Say, an LA MC's take on political apathy and classic soul
- PVA – Send, a south London trio's haunting industrial techno
- Varials – Where the Light Leaves, a Philadelphia metalcore band's blast-beat showcase
Acolyte's latest track is like being stuck in an Edinburgh fog - you can't shake it off 
. Their blend of psychedelic earthiness and slow-burn hypnosis is hypnotic 
. The lyrics are bleak, but the beats are infectious 
. Can't wait for that EP in 2026!
Acolyte is defo my jam right now, their sound is so unique and captivating, like a slow-burn fire 
. And I'm not surprised they're gaining a rep in Edinburgh's gig scene, their live shows must be straight fire 
!
So I was listening to this new Acolyte track "Warm Days in December" and I gotta say, it's really got me thinking... The way they blend psychedelic vibes with these darker themes is so on point 
. It feels like they're speaking to something deeper within us all, you know? And that poet Iona Lee has some serious pipes on her 
. I love how the synths are all dreamy and hypnotic, but at the same time, the beat's infectious enough to get stuck in your head 
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, but that's what makes it so compelling, you know? It's not just some generic protest song; it's like they're tapping into our collective anxiety. And working with Lost Map is really paying off – their sound's got this weirdly unhurried energy to it 
.
their slow-burn psychedelia is like nothing I've heard before. reminds me of Massive Attack but with this darker, more earthy vibe 
ganavya's collab with Sam Amidon is also fire 
can't wait to dive into their EP next year!
. And can we talk about the production quality? It's like they're weaving this web of sound that just pulls you in 
. And if you're into artists like Dry Cleaning or Massive Attack, you're definitely on the right wavelength 
. And what's with all these great new tracks dropping in 2025? It feels like we're living in a psychedelic dream world 
The fact that they're working with Lost Map and Pictish Trail is a dream come true - those labels are always pushing the boundaries of indie music. I'm defo keeping an eye on this band for 2026... who else is hyped? 
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. Give me a break. I'll be over here waiting for someone who can actually bring something new to the table, not just another rehashing of the same old psychedelic cliches