Scottish band Helicon were formed in Glasgow’s East Kilbride by brothers John-Paul and Gary Hughes. They are a collective of musicians whose experimental sounds blend psychedelia, sitar, electronica and guitars to create a fuzzed-up wall of sound.
February 13th, 2026 sees the release of their fourth studio album, Arise, a collaboration with LA-based artist and DJ/producer Al Lover. The rotating group of musicians includes John-Paul Hughes, Gary Hughes, Mark McLure, Graham Gordon, Seb Jonsen, Billy Docherty, Mike Hastings, Anna McCracken, and Declan Welsh.
Produced by Tony Doogan (Mogwai, The Jesus & Mary Chain) at Castle Of Doom Studios in Glasgow, the record’s alchemical creative approach was initially built on a trans-Atlantic online back-and-forth of demos between Helicon and Lover. With Belle & Sebastian’s Chris Geddes also playing piano on “Goodbye Cool World,” they headed to Castle Of Doom to lay down the bare bones, before Lover flew over to join them and work his individual magic on drum machine, synths and samplers.
Title track “Arise” echoes with Middle Eastern sitar sounds before a pulsating electro-beat and guitar enter the room. It’s a thrilling combination, with the lyrics and video illustrating how we can fall into certain habits and lose ourselves in the process. As Helicon frontman John-Paul Hughes comments: “Arise confronts a culture of individualism at the mercy of opportunistic grifters,” offering a reminder that empathy, compassion and authenticity are still choices.
“Backbreaker” is an intoxicating, toe-tapping ride of pulsating ’80s indie guitar sounds, sitars and dance beats. With the addictive refrain “it’s a feeling when I hear your name…” this is a euphoric celebration of love — one that’s been on constant repeat.
In Latin, “Tabula Rasa” refers to a “scraped tablet” or “clean slate.” In this frenetic track, the initial rousing melody recalls, The Cure’s “Lovesong,” before driving guitars and electronic beats create a heady alchemy of sound. There are driven, propulsive tracks on this record — such as the industrial, spell-binding “Not A Thought” (also released as a single) — alongside “We Don’t Belong,” with its intoxicating bassline.
Equally, there are dreamy, angelic moments such as “Adjust the Dosage,” with shimmering swathes of guitar creating an ethereal, galactic feel, and the celestial “Goodbye Cool World” and “Midnight Mass.”
On Arise, the combination of visceral fuzz guitar, trip-hop and the psychedelic, dreamlike pull of the sitar sees Helicon and Al Lover create an aural version of Alice tumbling down the proverbial rabbit hole. First comes the rush of freefall — then a sense of equilibrium and sonic bliss. Lose yourself, and find yourself once more, in this exhilarating album.
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