This is part of a series, posting between 30th December 2025 and 3rd January 2026
Cain: Lineage (Fine Grains)
Cain's lineage is detailed in chapter four of the book of Genesis, which means Bible scholars can trace the descendants of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam… oh wait. Sorry. Wrong Cain. Let’s start again.
For the past eleven years, since Cain’s addictive Savan EP, I’ve been growing increasingly impatient. Sitting there, looking at the internet, tapping my watch and tutting. Just when is he going to release a proper studio album?
What I wasn’t expecting was an album of pipe music featuring Gaelic singing and with an illustration of a Pictish boar on the cover. Nor would the expect it to be one of the best debut albums of recent times.
At his best, there’s a mystery and an endearing gawkiness to Cain’s work, and that’s all on display here. The boss drum thumps hard, the melodies paint chunky Prodigy primary shapes, and the droning synth lines add soundtrack oomph wherever they go.
The Scottish flavours, so folky and human, come from a very real placer. In his youth, Cain was a junior bagpipe champion. His wife Katie Mackenzie is a Gaelic singer, and her voice is featured prominently, as song or as Bicep-style samples.
Unlike the past 15 or so years, in this year’s best album’s list I have committed to NOT declaring a number one. But… y’know… Cain. Lineage. You absolutely have to rinse this album from now until the end of time.
One extra note. This beautiful and personal album also stands as a tribute to Alexander Horne, otherwise known as DJ Uraki Riddim, who founded the Fine Grains record label. I suspect his influence runs deep on Lineage, and his recent passing will be felt by many.
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