In a genre-bending new musical collaboration, Scottish folk-rock band Rhymer have fused traditional Scottish ballads with a sci-fi twist, taking listeners to a realm of alien elves.
Rhymer is a five-piece experimental folk-rock band that consists of Rory Walker (guitar and vocals), Iain Lawson (bass and mandolin), Colin Grieve (keyboards), Sam Baxter (drums), and Scottie Campbell (steel guitar). The band describes its music as a mix of “classical and unorthodox sounds,” combining traditional Scottish folk songs with psychedelia, bluesy riffs, and experimental, progressive elements.
Their newest album, titled ‘Galactic Elves’, sees the band exploring a new spin on classic Scottish folk music, with a twist of electronic and synthesized notes, plus a generous helping of lyrical inspiration from the realms of fantasy and science fiction. The album opens with the track ‘A Journey to the Stars’, a bright and shimmering piece of guitar-driven folk-rock that soontransitions into a soaring interstellar theme. Other tracks on the album continue this cosmic journey, with spellbinding soundscapes of alien-like ambience and gentle folk melodies.
What really sets ‘Galactic Elves’ apart from other forays into Scots-based music is the presence of electronic and synthesized elements. These textures add a sci-fi flavour to Rhymer’s already captivating sound, making for a truly magical listening experience that takes the listener far beyond this world.
The band have succeeded in creating a completely new musical landscape – something they explain was a deliberate decision: “We wanted to reinvent traditional Scottish ballads and add a sci-fi spin to them. We used synthesizers and electronics to evoke a feeling of being in a far off, distant place, and the narrative of the album follows the journey of a group of aliens who come to Scotland on a mission.”
All in all, Rhymer’s ‘Galactic Elves’ is a sweeping, genre-bending album that will delight fans of both traditional and progressive musical styles. It showcases the band’s expansive skills and progressive music-making and stands as a testament to the power of musical fusion. Whether you’re a fan of folk, rock, electronic music, or aliens, Rhymer’s ‘Galactic Elves’ is sure to be a captivating exploration of Scottish music and interstellar soundscapes.