Callum Beattie is entering a new chapter with his new singles “Two Pretenders” and “Birthday” punchy, big-hearted tracks that set the tone for his upcoming album INDI, arriving 23 January 2026. Written in the slipstream of leaving the major-label machine and taking the reins himself, the project finds him doubling down on honesty and feeling, showcasing songs lit by that familiar Beattie surge of melody, but powered by a freer, more self-directed voice. As he puts it himself on “Two Pretenders”, “When love feels broken, sometimes pretending is another word for believing,” and the track leans into that push-and-pull between fragility and fight, heartbreak and hope.
The timing couldn’t be bigger. With a near sell-out OVO Hydro headline this November and an Edinburgh Castle date now on the books, Beattie’s home-grown momentum is colliding with a widescreen, indie-rock sound. “Two Pretenders” sets the tone perfectly, delivering an upbeat and emotional tune made for singalongs and simultaneously giving us a real glimpse into the most honest and unfiltered version of Callum Beattie yet.
Noctis Magazine spoke with Callum about his newfound creative freedom, the emotional journey behind his upcoming album and hitting major milestones.
INDI is described as your rawest and most personal songwriting to date — what kind of headspace were you in when you started writing it?
How long have you got?
It’s a tough one, because I was in a very strange headspace – one with a lot of paradox.
Basically, I’d been signed to a major label for 8 years, and felt like a puppet.
INDI is my first fully independent release, so there was a lot of trepidation about it, which was completely obliterated with creative euphoria about being able to write and release the songs I felt were right for me.
That feels a lot more authentic than taking advice from people who wouldn’t know a good song if they fell over it
It may sound like I’m bitter, but I’m not. I’m filled with gratitude every day for my “job” – I know I’m one of a very small percentage who can make a living doing this, and I never take it for granted
You’ve said the record explores themes of inner struggle and self-discovery. Was there a specific moment that sparked this journey of self-reflection?
I think the freedom of making an independent record triggered lots of emotions about past traumas etc. it was a very cathartic experience for me. It sounds a bit silly, but for me music is like therapy – it’s the only time I ever feel like I can heal.
The creative process for this record was incredible because it felt very authentic, raw and real when we wrote and recorded it.
It’s probably the first record I’ve made where the room was constantly filled with love – no stress, no pressure. Just pure creativity – and I think that’s the way everyone should get to make music.
Can you tell us more about the album title, INDI – Is it named after something or someone in particular, or does it represent a bigger idea behind the record?
It represents a much bigger idea, which will become apparent over the next few months.
All our charity work and other branding will revolve around INDI and the concept will become clearer as the months go by.
“Two Pretenders” feels like a powerful opening statement — why did you choose it to lead the album?
The biggest single from Vandals, my previous album was a song called Heart Stops Beating, which was very upbeat, so I suppose I was following on from that.
It just felt like the natural follow up as it has a lot of pace and a very upbeat feel.
The song captures that tension between heartbreak and hope. Was it inspired by a personal relationship or more of a universal story about connection?
I think with all my songs, it always starts with a personal relationship, and Two Pretenders is very much about missing someone very close to me.
However, with all of my songs, I always want them to be about a universal connection.
I believe we are all part of the same thing, so songs should speak to everyone’s hearts, and that’s what I’m constantly striving for.
The line “Throwing our hearts in the fire, clinging to the embers” is such a striking lyric. Can you talk us through what that imagery means to you?
It’s based on the fact that an inferno can be created by a single burning ember. In a relationship, a tiny insignificant spark can be flamed into a massive bonfire.
The lyrics all about the turnaround and about how you can feel like something is done, but then through carefully nurturing a tiny part of it can all get back on track.
It’s just all about hope – and that’s what I want all of my songs to be.
There’s a strong thread of Scottish identity throughout your music — how does your sense of home influence your writing?
My sense of home is basically everything. My upbringing and the culture I live in has always had a huge impact on me, so it’s impossible for me not to write about it.
I also get to plant enormous crowds in Scotland, so I suppose it’s very natural to lean into that.
With INDI, do you feel like you’re redefining who Callum Beattie is as an artist?
Yes, definitely – it’s making music the way I wanted to. I’m extremely fortunate to have a very supportive manager, who is more like my brother. We have incredible synergy and that has a massive impact, because I have the most amazing support network.
That’s allowed me to do it the way I wanted – something that I’m all too aware is not common in the music business.
In many ways, this album feels like my first, not my third.
You’ve just announced your biggest headline show to date at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro — how does it feel to hit that milestone?
The Hydro only has a couple of hundred tickets left (out of 14,000) but I think it’s also worth mentioning that we just announced a headline at Edinburgh Castle – one of the most iconic gigs in the world.
To have a poster that says OVO Hydro Glasgow and Edinburgh Castle on it, is something I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams.
Only 5 years ago I couldn’t sell 30 tickets, so every one of these milestones continually blows my mind.
I used to fantasise about playing in these places where my heroes played, so to be doing them is almost impossible for me to comprehend! I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life, and will be saving all these posters for my grandkids!
After INDI drops in January, what do you hope listeners take away from it?
My hope is genuinely that people resonate with the songs and can experience a little bit of the healing that I feel writing and performing them.
The only thing I care about in my music is creating a connection with people. A proper heart to heart connection, so if I do that even with a small number of people, I feel like I will have achieved my goal.
Follow Callum Beattie on Instagram
Words: Alexander Williams