I do like it when I hear a band descriptor I’ve never come across before. Glasgow’s Son of The Right Hand are a case in point. To my shame I had never heard of them before, but within minutes of pressing play on Pscenic Root, I knew I was onto something special. Their sound, which they describe as “folkedelic nugaze,” is as intriguing as it sounds. It’s a haze of psychedelia, post-rock and strange, spectral folk.
The five-piece consisting of Éireann Sheridan, Benjamin Stewart, Hector Laidlaw, Owen “Cosmo” Fyfe, and Sandy MacCallum bring different shades to that mix, all orbiting around Éireann’s haunting voice and Benjamin’s restless guitar.
Sheridan gives us this insight.
“The EP’s name is a bit of an inside joke about how long it’s taken us to get here, but also a nod to how our roots have shaped the path. It’s been a long road, but it feels incredible to finally share something that’s raw, immersive, and true to us.”
Let’s dive in and see if the descriptor matches the sounds.
The record opens with ‘Bad Tooth’, a slow-burning piece that feels like it’s pulling you under water. The guitars twist you in uncomfortable ways, chords hang unresolved, and the vocals creep in like thoughts you can’t quite shake. There’s tension in every second. It’s not polished; it’s raw and human. The song builds to a dense, claustrophobic ending that feels less like a release and more like a reckoning. It’s a powerful way to set the tone.
‘Anhedonia’ follows with a jolt of energy. Where the opener brooded, this one moves with purpose. Fuzzy guitars, crisp drums, and a melody that clings to your mind long after. It’s one of the most immediate tracks here, and you can sense why it was released as their debut single. There’s something slightly unhinged about the rhythm section. Cosmo’s drumming never quite sits still, and that’s the charm. The song feels alive, almost like it’s teetering on the edge of chaos, yet Éireann’s voice keeps it grounded, tender but unflinching.
‘Refuweegie (The House Isn’t Full)’ sits right at the centre of the EP and it’s where everything comes together. It’s a slow, expansive track built around repetition and space, taking inspiration from the 2021 Kenmure Street protests which served to remind the world that we Scots view anyone who chooses Scotland as their home, Scottish. We’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns here. You can feel that sense of solidarity and unease running through it. The lyrics walk the line between empathy and anger, questioning what it means to belong. Musically, it’s layered in ways that pull you deeper each listen. Ghostly harmonies, looping guitars, and a low hum that feels almost physical. It’s the beating heart of Pscenic Root.
‘Kilter’ is a storm of a track. Eight minutes of rhythmic collapse and rebirth. This one was apparently born during a rainstorm at Fuzzface Studios, and they even sampled that weather into the track. You can hear it too. The rhythm falls apart and reforms, like thunder rolling in the distance. It’s sprawling but never loses focus. The guitar lines seem to argue with each other, the vocals slip between clarity and murk, and when it finally locks into a groove, it’s euphoric. This is Son of The Right Hand at their most fearless.
‘Closed Doors’ closes the EP with something gentler, but no less intense. It’s intimate, almost confessional, the kind of song that sounds like it’s being whispered directly into your ear. The band strip things right back here, giving the voices room to breathe. Partly spoken word there’s a quiet power in the restraint. After all the noise and swirl of what came before, it feels like the lights have dimmed and everyone’s catching their breath. Until that final section where the band invoke the storm once more to send us off with the wind at our heels.
Pscenic Root feels like a debut EP made with conviction. The band have found a language that’s all their own, messy, beautiful, and defiantly honest. It’s music that refuses to look away, whether it’s examining the state of the world or the turmoil within. I’m struggling to find bands that I could point you to for musical reference. Maybe the experimental structures of My Latest Novel coupled with the noise of Edinburgh School For the Deaf. All I know is for a first encounter, it’s left a mark. I can’t wait to see where this path leads next.
Pscenic Root is out now. You can check it out over on the Son of The Right Hand Bandcamp page.
You can follow Son of The Right Hand on social media here…
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Amazing review! Thanks so much for enjoying the record xx
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