Debut album from Finlay Birch

Formed patiently over time and intrinsically linked to his surroundings, Finlay Birch’s music offers an enamouring folk pop sound. From the coastal landscapes of Inverclyde to the quieter creative environment of the Isle of Mull, the Scottish singer-songwriter has developed a sound influenced by atmosphere, memory and candid lyrical writing. Blending elements of alternative folk, indie pop and soft rock, Finlay creates songs that play out gently, allowing mood and reflection to carry as much tone as the words themselves.

The natural sense of space within his music favours subtlety, resulting in songs that give emotions room to emerge organically leave a lasting impression with listeners. His songwriting often feels influenced by environment, with landscape and weather becoming as important to the experience as the stories being told, filtering through songs which feels timeless, thoughtful and truly affecting.

Like many new artists, Finlay’s journey as a recording musician began during the pandemic years, a period when creativity shifted away from traditional studios and stages into bedrooms and home recording spaces. Working independently from his own room, he started releasing lo-fi recordings that captured the intimacy and uncertainty of that moment, introducing listeners to a songwriter focusing on connection and atmosphere above all else.

His debut single, “Better Guy,” offered the first window into that artistic world, revealing many of the qualities that would become central to his work, including understated arrangements and an emphasis on emotional sincerity. It was followed by two further singles but after that period of activity, however, he stepped away from the regular cycle of public releases and entered a quieter creative phase. That period of reflection eventually led to a significant creative partnership with long-time friend and producer Dylan Cooper and together, they began shaping nearly a decade’s worth of songs and ideas into Weight Will Unwind, his debut full-length album.

Recorded over ten days on the Isle of Mull with Dylan, the release brings together the various threads that have paved Finlay’s songwriting path so far. “Fly Us Both Away” sets up the album with the soft strums of airy acoustic guitar chords before the warmth of the full arrangement ushers in alluring vocal leads and mellow, tapped percussion. Gliding with lilting rhythmic energy and dreamy atmosphere, it’s a stellar showcase of Finlay’s pop-tinged songwriting and alternative folk style. “HBDN1” follows with a waltzing sway as delicate guitar plucks, woozy synth notes and stunning vocal layers swirl lean into a charming power pop aesthetic.

The title track “Weight Will Unwind” arrives with bouncy guitar rhythms before the patter of drums and swooping vocalisations usher in Finlay’s tender voice to craft a delightful folk pop outing packed full of memorable melodic writing and heartfelt lyrics. With “Inside Your Mind,” the swell of guitar textures is met by the punch of shuffling drums as moving vocal harmonies cast a captivating listening experience that’s catchy and delicately grooving throughout.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “The River” with its elegant flutter of guitar and piano forming an intimate soundscape that flows with soothing vocal leads, dreamy backing voices and absorbing atmosphere. “Two Magpies” brings laid back percussive tabs, warm bass notes and buoyant vocal style to present a playful retro pop scene which progresses with marching rhythm, overlapping vocals and the twinkling chime of bright instrumental tones.

“Skim Stones” rolls with the downtempo snap of crisp drums and stripped back arrangement as Finlay’s restrained voice spins picture painting lyrics to deliver a transportive musical moment. Closing the album with “Change The Sheets,” the minimal blend of Finlay’s vocals and guitar strums jumps into a joyous jam of bouncing piano, stacked vocal layers and punchy drums to deliver a superb finale to his incredible debut LP.

With Weight Will Unwind, Finlay Birch confirms his status as an exciting new voice within Scottish music while firmly planting himself on the map of must watch names on the rise in the wider UK music sphere. Commenting on the release, he shares, “The album is really about carrying emotional weight for a long time and slowly learning how to let some of it go. Some of these songs have been with me for nearly ten years, so releasing them now feels like closing one chapter and beginning another.”

Listen to Weight Will Unwind below