PAWS

Formed in Glasgow in 2010, PAWS emerged as a central figure in the Scottish indie-punk scene, quickly gaining international traction through their association with FatCat Records. Their sound is characterized by a '90s-indebted alternative rock aesthetic, drawing heavily from the dynamic 'loud-quiet-loud' structures of Pixies and the fuzzy, melodic sensibilities of Pavement and Guided By Voices.

The band's early career was defined by a relentless DIY ethic, releasing tapes on their own Cath Records before graduating to studio-polished (but still gritty) full-lengths. Their debut, 'Cokefloat!' , remains a touchstone of the 2010s UK indie explosion, nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year. Over subsequent releases like 'Youth Culture Forever' and 'No Grace', produced by Mark Hoppus, they transitioned from lo-fi garage rockers to a more formidable, power-pop influenced unit. Critically, they are praised for maintaining a raw, confessional lyrical style that avoids the clichés of pop-punk, instead opting for a more nuanced, often melancholic exploration of adulthood and isolation.