A new single from Glasgow’s The Martial Arts is always a sweetly delivered melodic treat. The band’s distinctive vibe draws from so many possible influences – seventies glam, the Bay City Rollers, Abba, the Shins – but somehow never surrenders its own unique personality. And that remains true on “Seeing Double.” The song opens with a sense of anticipation, Paul Kelly’s earnest vocal pacing our expectations with some low-key lead guitar and synth work, building and building to a chorus that slips into place almost before we’ve noticed it. Only with the final line do we feel the impact of the track’s subtle melodic arc. From there we can rest in a gentle cocoon of pop swing as the song goes on, diverting only near to end to add a whack of rock oomph that resolves with some gorgeous vocal ‘oohs’. Is this a promising teaser of more to come? 45 RPM offerings often spring eternal into 33 and third wishes and hopes. We’re staying tuned.

While we’re all waiting for a new album or EP, you can tune into The Martial Arts in back catalogue mode at their fully equipped Bandcamp site. Why not see what you’ve been missing?