Artillery Saints returns with renewed focus and creative clarity through the forthcoming album ‘Glimpse’. Led by Scottish musician Ally McKenzie, the project continues to evolve, delivering an expansive body of work that balances avant pop experimentation with cinematic depth.
McKenzie’s musical path includes earlier chapters with the 1990s indie band Fly and the electronic project Cities People And Parks during the 2000s. Following lockdown, a moment of inspiration arrived unexpectedly when an Epiphone guitar in a shop window reignited his passion for music. That spark led him back to writing and producing, incorporating bass, synths, and Ableton Live, and ultimately defining the sound of Artillery Saints.
The album’s lead single, ‘Control & The Cousins’, introduces listeners to the thematic tone of ‘Glimpse’. Centered on a fictional rock band navigating industry dynamics, the track combines sardonic storytelling with musical restraint. Its narrative is summed up in the line,
“To get to the stage we had to sneak through the back door.”
The song’s hypnotic bassline, minimal synth layers, sharp guitar accents, and atmospheric chorus exemplify McKenzie’s signature approach. 
Across eleven tracks, ‘Glimpse’ expands on the twisted pop and darkly comic lyricism heard on ‘Maneki-Neko’ and ‘Fixed Grin Of A Wallpaper Star’. The album leans further into electronic territory while weaving in organic sounds, including woodwinds, ambient textures, and jazz influenced elements that enrich its sonic palette.
Highlights such as ‘High Rise Sun Tribe’ set the tone with a quasi classical, lyric free opening, while ‘Jelly Legs’ unfolds a surreal narrative through bass driven rhythms and saxophone accents. ‘Hick In Suburbia’ contrasts sweet melody with storytelling tension, and ambient explorations ‘House Mother Console’ and ‘Glister’ hint at future creative paths.
With its home recorded precision and immersive atmosphere, ‘Glimpse’ stands as Artillery Saints’ most ambitious work to date, offering a cohesive journey through humor, imagination, and modern cinematic sound.
