The Tempilstiks Step into their own with new single, ‘Number 1’
Words: Lydia Carter
★★★★☆
‘Number 1’ is the second single from the Scottish band The Tempilstiks. This one has a different energy from ‘Over and Over’, their debut single. Where that song spiralled inward, this song sounds like a reclamation of control, with a defiant, almost swaggering energy built around that refrain: ‘I’m choosing me, baby.’
The lyrics are direct, perhaps too simple or on-the-nose, but it does work in their favour. The repetition and conversational phrasing, with ‘Dunno what you think of me, I dunno what you’ve seen,’ give it a laid-back, confident tone, like someone tired of explaining themselves. All we need to know is, the writer is ‘choosing number 1.’
There is a real sense of evolution here, with the same emotional tone as ‘Over and Over’, but instead of spiralling, it is breaking free. It is still rough around the edges (which fits the band’s voice), but it carries a message that is more self-assured and alive. The line between confidence and arrogance is toed, but isn’t that what rock and roll is all about? This song is not quiet, demure, or questioning, it is loud, assured, and answering.
There’s still that gritty realism that defines The Tempilstiks’ sound, no polish, no filters, just pure feeling. ‘Number 1’ adds a new layer: confidence. It is not about breaking down anymore; it is about breaking through. That said, the swagger sometimes edges close to comfort, and the band leans so naturally into their raw sound that a bit more variation could make their next release hit even harder. Still, that honesty is what makes ‘Number 1’ work: it is The Tempilstiks sounding like themselves and, as I have said before, this is becoming rarer in the art of today.
Photo: Matt Jolly
If ‘Over and Over’ was The Tempilstiks at their most self-destructive, ‘Number 1’ is the sound of the band standing up, dusting themselves off, and flipping the bird to anyone who might doubt them. Hailing from Aberdeen, these Scottish rockers trade the emotional for defiance, and the result is a song that feels as raw and real as their debut single. It’s always difficult to follow a great first song, and we can say assuredly that The Tempilstiks have succeeded.
The Tempilstiks sound like a band who are owning their sound. ‘Number 1’ is not just a song title; it is a declaration, and they’re setting up for a great EP.