Blair Davie’s story is one of perseverance. This young Scottish artist is destined to be one of our most inspiring new stars, who possesses one of those rare voices that has the power to speak to our very souls.

Their new EP, First and Last, is testament to Davie’s prodigious talent both as a vocalist and songwriter. Inspired largely by their long-term relationship, it is a startlingly intimate portrait of the kind of love Davie never expected to find. These are songs filled with reverence and gratitude for the sacred bond they share with their partner, reflecting on past, present and future.

Born in Perth, Scotland, Davie was raised by a family of musicians, including their mum’s side, many of whom were bagpipers. Davie, who is non-binary, recalls at age six, their dad picked up the guitar, and soon his guitar teacher was instructing Davie, too. “It was like unlocking a treasure chest, such a joyous moment.”

Another turning point was when Davie’s father booked a few studio sessions, noticing Davie had enough songs to put an album together. “That was really the moment I fell in love with the piano, too”. Davie was further inspired by the walls of CDs on every wall in the studio: “I realised that people actually make albums, that this was something you could do, it could be your job. From there, I guess it became an obsession – I started spending all my time finding a way to make this my job.”

Music also proved to be a way for Davie to channel their hurt and fear after facing vicious bullying while at school. In music, they were able to remind themselves that our differences are what make us special. Early songs such as “Coming of Age”, a jangling pop-rock track, demonstrated their astonishing emotional acuity and willingness to bare their soul, singing. This evident talent, and in one so young, saw Davie shortlisted for the prestigious Ivor Novello Rising Star Award in 2024, having also been championed by BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Music Introducing, and Amazon Music UK.

It was only while recording the EP at the renowned Middle Farm Studios in Devon that Davie realised the throughline of love running through the project: “Little pockets of moments I’ve had with my partner in the three years we’ve been together.”

First and Last is arranged to give listeners “the story so far”. It opens with “Coming Back Babe”, a stunning ballad written last year with Corey Sanders (Calum Scott, Rita Ora, James Arthur), whom Davie was introduced to through their friend (and teenage hero) Mark Prendergast, guitarist for the Irish band Kodaline. “I was on the piano and trying really hard not to leave the studio for the day without impressing these people who are so important to me”.

“Butterflies” was written with Prendergast and Sanders at a writing camp in Scotland, it’s music of the most confessional, honest kind – a love letter of sorts that reminds a loved one how the superficial things don’t matter. Davie finished the song with prolific producer and writer Edd Holloway, known for his collaborations with fellow artists including Lewis Capaldi, Dean Lewis and Noah Kahan. “It was the most beautiful music-making experience I’ve ever had, and the first time I felt I’d come away with something that sounds so uniquely me.”

“My whole outlook as a Scottish artist has changed in the past few years,” Davie reveals. “I was never really aware of being proud of being Scottish until I left and moved to London.”

Davie’s past experiences playing in a teenage rock band have certainly helped shape their authentic nature. “I think the honesty in my songwriting comes from back then, when I was trying to play the part of a rock star and writing songs about girls that didn’t exist,” they say. “Everything about myself was all very bottled up, and now I feel I can bring a level of sincerity to my music.”

“I wanted it to be intimate at the beginning then feel like a party towards the end,” they explain. “It’s been such an incredible experience working on this EP, and hopefully we’ve come out with something quite unique. I was chasing the magic.”