Scout Coast – Nothing Quite Like You (2026)
Scotland’s Scout Coast sound like professional anthem pop-rockers on their debut single, ‘Nothing Quite Like You’, but while well produced, they don’t explore the possibilities of their sound just yet. Simple guitar strums full of familiar lightened punk sound, as does the strained belting of Ollie Kitch as he professes, “I’ve been a liar/ I’ve been a thief”.
The track is from the perspective of someone who’s seen it all until they encounter someone who seems to be different. I say “seems” because the narrative lacks details and remains wrapped up in Kitch’s experiences: “I’ve walked the world and outer space/ I’ve seen the lines on every face/I ’ve seen it all.” By the time the hook comes: “I’ve seen nothing quite like you/ and all of those crazy things you do”, the “you” feels like an afterthought.
The writing feels insular in the band’s attempt to craft an anthem. Scout Coast attempts to sound big but charming like their influences, Circa Waves or Catfish and the Bottlemen. They skillfully duplicate their cherished sound, but barely infuse the song with a personality, as well as reflection, or unease, or exhaustion, or fantasy, for listeners to latch onto and feel transported.
This song would like to be danceable and emotional as well. Scout Coast’s way to achieve these things is repeating chords, pounding the kick drum and cymbals, and sentimental guitar riffs. But when Dan Rooney’s drumming shows flashes of personality or Reggie Mercer’s rocking riffs, along with Ollie Cobbett’s thumping bass lines, stay repetitive, this anthem isn’t touching. It’s not something that propels you onto a dance floor full of exhilaration and hope.
On the breakdown, the music gets bare and the band chants, “One, one/ One and a million”. The line repeats, the music maintains the rhythm, and the band misses another opportunity to move us with their newfound perspective.
Scout Coast can rock out, and once they delve into the possibilities of their sound, they’ll be stadium-ready.
In addition to the single, Scout Coast released an official music video for ‘Nothing Quite Like You’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel.
Find out more about Scout Coast on their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
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