Fright Years‘ latest single, “Obstacles“, is firmly in the “crash into you like a tidal wave songs” category, unraveling itself in layers and drawing you into its quiet power before lifting you to something vast and cinematic.
From the first delicate strum, there’s a sense of contemplation, a feeling that something bigger is coming. Then, as Jules Kelly’s vocals rise—equal parts fragile and forceful, like a whisper that could shake mountains—the song unfolds into a slow-burning, emotionally charged anthem. There’s a definite Florence + the Machine energy here, not just in the soaring vocal delivery but in the way the song straddles vulnerability and grandeur. It feels like standing in the eye of an emotional storm, caught between resistance and surrender.
Lyrically, “Obstacles” wrestles with the uncertainties of change—how life-altering moments leave us balancing between fighting back or letting go. Kelly’s words feel less like lyrics and more like poetry, crafted with the kind of raw honesty that makes you stop whatever you’re doing and just listen. Sonically, the band leans into their love of guitar-driven soundscapes, layering textures that echo ‘90s pop-rock but with a distinctly modern sheen. There’s a warmth to the instrumentation, a sense of familiarity that makes the song feel like an old friend—even on the first listen.
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“Obstacles” is the kind of track that confirms why Fright Years are fast becoming one of Scotland’s most exciting new bands. Born from a chance meeting at Edinburgh Art College, their lineup—Jules Kelly, Harrison MacLeod-Bonnar, Christopher Jamieson, and Struan Blacklock—has quickly established a reputation for emotionally charged, cinematic songwriting. With nods from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing Scotland, and outlets like Clash, they’re a name that keeps cropping up, and for good reason.
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