Scottish singer-songwriter Niamh Maclennan delivers a soul-stirring tribute to music’s redemptive qualities with her latest single “Escape”. Produced by Jolon Yeoman at Leith’s Knockwood Studios, the track blends contemporary folk warmth with Scottish traditional roots, creating a sonic sanctuary that feels both timeless and immediate.
From the first lilting fiddle line (courtesy of Tabitha Beavitt, Maclennan’s fellow alumna from Scotland’s National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music), the song wraps listeners in a rich tapestry of sound. Maclennan’s crystalline vocals glide over Yeoman’s vintage-tinged production, while her own lush cello arrangements and Stephen Buggy’s understated drums add depth and dynamism. The result is a folk-pop reverie that channels Joni Mitchell’s poetic grace and Julie Fowlis’ Gaelic soul.
Lyrically, “Escape” is a love letter to music itself—a celebration of its power to “heal, inspire, and offer belonging.” Maclennan’s evocative storytelling (a hallmark of her previous work) shines here, with every verse painting music as both refuge and compass. The fiddle’s emotive cadences—nodding to Scottish strathspeys and airs—ground the track in tradition, while the expansive, modern arrangement ensures its universal resonance.
A masterful fusion of old and new, “Escape” proves Maclennan is one of Scotland’s rising folk voices. This track is a heartfelt love letter to music itself, celebrating its ability to heal and inspire. ‘Escape’ is not just a song; it’s a refuge for anyone seeking solace through sound.
