SCOTTISH independence is all the rage and here’s an album from a Scot who is likely to carve out a musical identity of his own on the evidence of his debut album.

Classically trained as a violinist with the Scottish National orchestra, Paul McLinden has found status more as an actor appearing in American crime hit show CSI New York. Head Happy boasts portents of amassing greater kudos as a recording artist.

Given his work in the US, a lot of this release resounds to Americana. Several tracks echo those sort of wriggly, catchy tunes that accompany television shows like Malcolm and The Big Bang Theory. But beyond that narrow scope the album widens into far more intriguing territory. Mr Boogie opens with a scuzzy blues lick, while Whether The Weather borrows heavily from White Stripes’ percussive Button The Button.

Obvious influences aside there are two startling tracks. Cheer Up is delivered with a Lou Reed-type sneer and ends with a Joy Division bass line, while the multi-tracked vocals on Out Of Sight are sublime.