A Glasgow Kiss by Ian Rae: Review

by admin August 15, 2025

August 15, 2025

“A Glasgow Kiss” by Ian Rae is a charming curveball—soft, tender, and the polar opposite of the cheeky, headbutt-inspired title. Rae takes the phrase, known in Glasgow slang for something far less romantic, and flips it on its head, offering a gentle, cinematic piece that feels more like a warm hug than a street fight. It’s exactly the sort of unexpected twist you’d expect from an artist with a catalogue of titles like “The Enchanted Hedgehog” and “Once A Nonny Mouse Always A Nonny Mouse.”

From the first few bars, light, flickering piano notes dance in the air like sunlight bouncing off water, their glimmer tiptoeing over a bed of deeper, soothing piano chords. It’s that contrast—playfulness over calm—that makes the piece instantly captivating. Then, almost without you noticing, immersive background textures begin to float in, widening the soundscape. And just as you start to sink into that dreaminess, the rich, winding, and full-bodied strings arrive, bringing a quiet, intimate and expansive swell of emotion.

The cinematism is a nod to Rae’s inspirations like Craig Armstrong, John Barry, and Yiruma. You can almost picture this track underscoring a delicate moment in a film, perhaps a scene of reconciliation, or that quiet pause when everything finally makes sense. It whispers its beauty, making you lean in and really listen.

What makes “A Glasgow Kiss” stand out is its emotional restraint. Rae lets the melody breathe, trusts the simplicity, and in doing so, gives the track a timeless feel. By the time the last note fades, you’re left not with the image of a sharp blow, but with the lingering warmth of something far more tender. It’s a kiss for the soul, Glaswegian or otherwise. Check it out on Spotify.