When it comes to sheer creative output, few contemporary composers can match the astonishing pace of Ian Rae. In less than four years, the Kenley-born musician has delivered 15 albums, an EP, and now his 10th single; a catalog so extensive it feels less like a career and more like an unfolding symphony. This is Rae’s third appearance on our blog, following “In My Dreams” and “Sleeping Angel,” and each return feels like welcoming back a craftsman who thrives on imagination, discipline, and wit.
His latest single, “A Glasgow Kiss,” released August 1, carries a title steeped in black humor. For those outside Scotland, the phrase euphemistically refers to a headbutt, a rather blunt way of “settling arguments.” But Rae, always the playful mind, turns this violent phrase on its head, fashioning a piece of instrumental music that is romantic, delicate, and elegant. Inspired in part by Craig Armstrong’s Glasgow Love Theme (immortalized in Love Actually), Rae uses irony as a canvas for beauty.
The composition unfolds with tender grace, piano leading the way in shimmering phrases that glide like brushstrokes across a clean canvas. Strings layer in subtly, never overwhelming but always giving the piece its cinematic lift. There’s a balance here that defines Rae’s touch: nothing is ornamental, everything is placed with purpose. His performance feels both restrained and deeply expressive, a demonstration of mastery where emotion is delivered not through excess but through clarity.
Production-wise, the track is polished to an almost glass-like sheen. Every note breathes in its own space, the mix ensuring that piano, strings, and atmospheric textures co-exist seamlessly. It’s a track built for repeated listens, revealing new details with each spin—like the way a certain chord progression lingers a heartbeat longer than expected, or how the instrumentation pulls back at just the right moment to leave the listener suspended.
What makes this release remarkable isn’t just its irony but its delivery. Rae takes a phrase that conjures grit and violence and transforms it into something romantic and graceful—a reminder of how art can reshape perception. It’s clever without being gimmicky, heartfelt without being saccharine.
Ian Rae continues to prove that he is not only prolific but purposeful. Each release is more than another tally on an impressive résumé; it’s a thoughtful addition to a growing body of work that blurs humor, irony, and sincerity. With A Glasgow Kiss, Rae offers a gentle nod to his fellow Glaswegian composer while carving out yet another jewel in his own expansive catalogue.
Listen to “A Glasgow Kiss” on Spotify
Follow Ian Rae here for more information
