2021 was a year where we saw live events cancel, tours postpone and social outings restricted. Despite all the restrictions, cancellations and limitations, the music community thrived and is possibly stronger than it ever has been. We took to Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Soundcloud, Twitter, Youtube and many more sites to explore, listen and discover music. While the Adeles, Ed Sheerans and Olivia Rodrigos of the world pumped catchy pop melodies into our homes, the independent music scene grew in diversity, strength and musical affluence! So, to help you kick 2022 off right, we thought we would highlight ten of our favourite releases from 2021 that you might have missed.

To say Jack Hinks has been on fire over the last two years is very much an understatement. This Scottish artist has produced some amazing singles from LA and Plastercast to his latest releases of Emperor and Tower. While any of his recent releases would need no further justification to be on this list, we think God is the quintessential sound from his present series of releases. Evoking raw emotion in a deep, melancholic soundtrack, this record expresses his outstanding song writing, vocal range, production value and is quiet simply a song that, while melancholic, sounds amazing. Get lost in this deep vacuum of emotion and sound.

The blending of funk, alternative rock and punk can be found in this album from ever evolving and popular Scottish group Mickey9s. Building on the success from 2017's Galactic Radio, Kunst offers a more aggressive punky character, while fusing their normal dance and funky bass lines together. If you are looking for something that oozes Scottish character and embodies an infections energy then Kunst is one not to be missed. Raw, Full American and Music are standout tracks from this album

Having problems with a passive aggressive neighbour? This one is for you! Poutyface is an artist that offers a raucous style which expresses the angst, edginess and punkness contemporary music has been crying out for. This artist and her music embodies a genre that the YUNGBLOODs and GIRLIs of the world are making mainstream (and Poutyface is right up there with them). Honestly, if you ever feel like shouting, going 'rag' to music or simply want to annoy your neighbours, then look no further. This song offers everything you need!

If you are looking for style, character, perfect vocals and a London accent... then do not look away! Chasing After You ticks all the right boxes and should be the quintessential example of how to write a good pop song. Not only is this release recorded very well, it embodies a fantastic soundscape of keys, guitars, brass, vocals and some excellent song writing. Everything in this song has a place and it is mixed together to make a great vibe and a catchy character.

Any followers of the indie-rock scene over the last two years will recognise the name Dohny Jep. If you missed them, boy you are in for a treat! Fusing contemporary rock, alternative and indie vibes with the sounds we loved from 00s alt-rock into a conglomeration of epic proportions, this quartet are constantly setting the bar higher. We found it difficult to pick a song from their many recent releases, but Dial Up is a fantastic example of what the boys are capable of. Shattering guitar rifts, thumping drums and angsty vocals. What is there not to love!

Going to the Heavy Metal side of music for our next pick and it is Invicta from the alt-metal outfit known as Skarlett Riot. Embracing tight and speaker pleasing production, this 11 song album hits every punch, note and chord that an alternative metal fan could want. Human, Gravity, Stronger and Underwater are the singles from this album and they all offer a different musical journey for the listener. There have been many great (and we do mean great) metal albums this year, but Skarlett Riot's Invicta is amongst them for sure.

Cover to Cover is your guide to some of the best female independent Scottish artists! Orchestrated by Fiona Liddell (who has been doing amazing things for independent music) this project is 13 tracks of pop, acoustic, folk and electronic excellence. Each collaborator covers another's with their own unique style, showcasing not only themselves but also some truly excellent song writing. This is a great way to explore the variety of styles on displaying by the collaborators but also hear their music played in way that is largely different from the original releases. If you are fan of independent music, this absolutely should be on your bucket list!

At the moment of writing this article we cannot tell you much about Point A, but we can tell you Cross Me was one of our more interesting discoveries of 2021. This is a contemporary dark pop song that embraces nuances made popular by Billie Eilish, along with some rap, spoken word and a soundscape with space, depth and a bluesy guitar rift. This track not only contains a plethora of different elements that makes it catchy but behind the music is a don't mess with me attitude which we really loved. This track is both different and similar to something you will have heard last year, so give it a try.

To say our team have a tendency to play more rock than anything else is probably an understatement, but we have to agree with this as one of the picks of 2021. The Nashville rockers produced one hell of a rock 'n' roll sound with this track. In your face drums, full bodied guitar rifts, Velvet Revolver-esque song writing, an ode to having more cow bell and a tempo of 124 BPM; Fashion simply rocks! If these were not enough reasons for you to check out this song, the production quality is also very impressive and is sure to fill your speakers completely.

Our number 1 spot goes to the alt-Indie-rock anthem Quiet Rage; a song that explores pent up anger and frustrations. Quite possibly one of the few songs our team have explored this year which sounded so different than we thought it would when it dropped into our inbox. Lissy Taylor has a very unique vocal style, which is on show in this track. This is fused with a musical character that embraces soft verses and harder, rockier choruses. With a great production quality and unique dynamism, this one should not be missed. It is, as our very own Jamie Sea has said, the perfect blend of Sam Fender & Phoebe Bridges!