The Twelve is the second album from the wide-ranging collective of women and non-binary collaborators. These nine songs came to life during a week-long creative retreat on the Isle of Lewis, and showcases the talents of twelve of Scotland’s best musicians. Given the broad range of input, the album is expectedly brimming with ideas, but the camaraderie and intuitive understanding of shared ambitions mean that the album still retains a cohesive core.

Early single, ‘Sirens Call My Name’, is emblematic of the whole album in its message of collective empowerment. Tamara Schlesinger, aka MALKA, is the founder of the Hen Hoose and leads this song, clearly setting out its simple but powerful message, with some help on the “oooooo”’s from Emma Pollack. There’s a touch of the disco about it, something that recurs throughout the album as synths buzz (‘Wipe Out’) and deep piano chords meet Bee Gees-like harmonising (‘Out My Mind’).

‘Promise’ is a rare moment of subdued contemplation, like Mazzy Star in its echo-laden reverie, with twitchy two-step garage in the background. ‘Ego Death’ is another, as SHEARS goes in deep on the self with an acoustic guitar and a contribution from Frances McKee; landing the best line of the album: “…it’s 2025/Ego death never felt more alive.” The ebb and flow of the thought process is matched by a wonderfully elastic vocal performance.

The Bikini Kill-lite disco of ‘In Control’ doesn’t quite pop on record despite the martial drums and occasional scream; the lyrics falling just the wrong side of trite (“I’m in control/You’re not at all…I’m the boss”) but I expect it’ll be a cathartic experience during a live scream-a-long. The closer, ‘Blessings on the Day’, has a similar platitudinous feel (“follow the herd/Don’t be heard/Follow the lead/Don’t be led”) but the repetition buries the catchy chanting into your head and after a few cycles the words take on a mantra-like quality.

It’s amazing that with so many disparate styles and big personalities that the general vibe of ‘in it together-ness’ looms so large. The genuine sense of joy and expression is captured in all its technicolour glory on this excellent demonstration of what community and creativity can generate when given the time and space.