Glasgow alt-rockers Lo Rays share debut EP packed with raucous guitar riffs, dark-tinted electronics and driving percussion

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​Full of raucous guitar riffs, dark-tinted electronics and driving percussion, Algorithm Gods is the arresting debut five track EP from rising Glasgow four-piece Lo Rays. Set in a future dystopia, it explores a world in which a tech corporation manipulates the masses through mind conditioning.

The release is accompanied by the music video for new track ’No Democracy’ featuring ominous scientists who are attempting to recondition one of the subjects but it doesn’t go to plan. It’s about taking back the power that people have over you.

Out now, the EP follows on from third single Factory Settings which is a blistering interrogation of online culture and the perils of social media algorithms, with vocalist Laura Takala’s impassioned lyrics Find out what the threat is/Reset me to factory settings/I think I’m losing myself/Reset, reset me exploring the consequences of the digital realm.

Speaking about the latest single, Laura said: “Factory Settings is about questioning your beliefs, who you are and if you are the one in control. I was inspired by how data and social media algorithms can be used to manipulate people’s views and behaviours - and as we have seen, even radicalise. 

“As someone who spends most of their waking time online, I started to wonder what my part is in this. If the content I see is meant to have an impact on me - how has it affected my world-view? Am I living in a bubble? Is it far from reality? This is how the song was born.”
The tracks from the forthcoming EP were fully recorded at Lo Rays’ own home studios and produced by the band, featuring Laura’s self-designed synthesisers.

Photo credit: Scott Bruce

Lo Rays’ vocalist and founding member, Finnish songwriter Laura Takala, formed the band after moving to Glasgow in 2018. With Scott Bathgate (guitar), Ryan Jones (bass) and Murray Bartle (drums), the rising talents take inspiration from the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Enter Shikari, and Grimes.
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In 2023 Lo Rays’ profile continues to grow, and singles from the forthcoming EP have been warmly received with ‘Algorithm Gods’ receiving support on Alyx Holcombe’s BBC Introducing Rock on Radio 1 and ‘Die Beside You’ played on BBC Introducing Scotland. 
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Lo Rays supported SNASH at a packed-out King Tut’s and Gen and The Degenerates on the Glasgow-date of their tour. They ended 2022 on a high by playing live on BBC Introducing Scotland, performing three of their own songs and a rock version of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’. This year they played a sold-out headline show at Glasgow’s Hug & Pint, performed at Bute Fest in July and supported Black Coast at Slay (Studio) in Glasgow. With shows at Glasgow Garage on 29th August supporting Jesse Jo Stark and a headline show at Krakatoa in Aberdeen on 14th October.