Featured Ailsa Craig Release:

Ailsa Craig

SQRL33

Imperial Cold

ITUNES DOWNLOAD ONLY

Imperial Cold is the sophomore release from Leeds' very own kings and queens of downer pop, Ailsa Craig. Building on the aesthetic themes explored in their first album, A Silent No, their latest effort further develops the blueprint of beautifully sad and melodic outsider pop, firmly constructed from a solid tool kit comprised of urbane syncopated programmed rhythms, elastic yet moody bass motifs and taught and solid drumming. Their unique character and vague sense of icy detachment must be attributed to the melancholic purity and frailty of Caroline McChrystal’s (The Blanche Hudson Weekend/The Manhattan Love Suicides/Pop Threat) vocals, whose characteristic stamp defines and solidifies the Ailsa Craig sound, a veritable Bernadette Sumner for the 21st Century.

Musical references? Think the moody pop sensibilities of New Order and/or the Field Mice, and the rustic pastoralism of the likes of Hood, Epic 45 or Bark Psychosis and you're getting close to the sound of Ailsa Craig. Caroline McChrystal, Lee Hooper and Matthew Robson are the core players, joined in the recording process by an ever evolving supporting cast that bring guitars, brass and cello to the table. Robson is at the core of the production and musical arrangement - the principal writer in the band - with Hooper as the indispensable wingman, McChrystal the sole lyric writer and vocalist.

Squirrel Records is proud to release this album. Simple as that. Ailsa Craig's debut was a superb collection of songs, but this one is even better and takes their sound into a more accessible, dare we even say, "pop" field. Best served late at night, but equally good any time of the day, this is a band who are quickly shaping up to be a musical force to be reckoned with.

Released: Monday 25th June 2012

Buy CD Album £6.00

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Other Ailsa Craig Release:

Compilation

SQRL44UK

Nuts & Vaults [UK]

UK ONLY ORDERS

So, this is it, folks... we're getting very near the end. This year, Squirrel Records will close its doors after 45 releases in total. Why 45 ? Well, we like that number, as it's the playing speed of a 7" single. We always said that 33 isn't enough, and 78 is too many. Anyway, Squirrel Records, throughout the years of its existence, has epitomised the true spirit of... [more]

Released: Tuesday 5th April 2016

Buy CD Album £8.50

more info

Other Ailsa Craig Release:

Compilation

SQRL44

Nuts & Vaults

ALL OVERSEAS [NON-UK] ORDERS

So, this is it, folks... we're getting very near the end. This year, Squirrel Records will close its doors after 45 releases in total. Why 45 ? Well, we like that number, as it's the playing speed of a 7" single. We always said that 33 isn't enough, and 78 is too many. Anyway, Squirrel Records, throughout the years of its existence, has epitomised the true... [more]

Released: Tuesday 5th April 2016

Buy CD Album £5.00

more info

Other Ailsa Craig Release:

Ailsa Craig

SQRL37

Carriage Return

Carriage Return marks Ailsa Craig’s last stand, and chronicles their final recordings, packaging them up in a limited edition hand-silk screen printed sleeve, made to order by legendary Slaithwaite printmaker, Dan Booth.

While the vicissitudes of Cameron-Land PLC gathered pace with the oily momentum of back handers, cronyism and creeping civic disintegration, Ailsa Craig sketched out a soundtrack... [more]

Released: Wednesday 29th January 2014

Buy CD Album £3.00

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Other Ailsa Craig Release:

Ailsa Craig

SQRL25

A Silent No

Ailsa Craig is the new project of Matt Robson (Random Number) which features the lyrical and vocal skills of The Manhattan Love Suicides' Caroline McChrystal and a vast range of guest players. The Random Number incarnation was an outlet for glistening yet damaged sounding electronica released through labels as diverse as Mogwai's Rock Action, Highpoint... [more]

Released: Monday 12th October 2009