By Colin 
Liv Dawn is set to release her new EP Hopeful Wandering on 17 October 2025, and it promises to be her most expansive project yet. Across six tracks, the Scottish singer-songwriter weaves folk, pop, soft rock and country influences into a collection that feels both intimate and ambitious.
The record arrives with the release of new single ‘The Mountains Are Calling’, a bright, uplifting track that uses nature as a metaphor for life’s challenges and possibilities. It’s a fitting preview for an EP that’s all about finding strength, clarity, and hope through music.
Recorded at Chem19 Recording Studios with her full band – Aidan Smith on piano, Chris Gilday on electric guitar, and Calum Macleod on drums and clarsach – the project was produced by Jamie Savage. Together they’ve captured the warmth of Liv’s live sound while expanding into lush arrangements that push her artistry into new territory.
A journey through life’s highs and lows
At the heart of Hopeful Wandering is a sense of resilience. Liv describes the central theme as “hope,” something that threads through every track in different ways. Even when the subject matter is heavy or reflective, the songs always carry a glimmer of optimism.
Opening track ‘Falling For You’ sets the tone with a radiant full-band celebration of love and connection. ‘Home’ then pulls back to deliver a tender, nostalgic tribute to family and childhood memories.
‘The Mountains Are Calling’ sits right in the centre, offering an anthem of self-discovery and renewal. With rhythmic guitars, driving piano and drums, and a vocal that soars, it’s a reminder that even when life feels difficult, there’s always space to pause, breathe, and keep moving forward.
The mood shifts again with ‘Fears And Dreams’, the most intimate and stripped-back song on the EP. Written in a time of grief and release, it’s carried by delicate cello and clarsach, and captures the universality of human experience – our hopes, our scars, and our capacity to endure.
‘Not Let You Go’ adds another emotional layer, exploring mental health, resilience, and the importance of support. Written for someone close to Liv who was facing a difficult time, it features stirring string arrangements by Elspeth Mackay, performed with Katie Rush on violin and Nicola Boag on viola. It’s a powerful moment of solidarity and empathy.
Closing track ‘Written In The Stars’ lifts the collection to its conclusion with a burst of energy. Full of driving drums, bright guitars, and Liv’s soaring vocal delivery, it’s a song about finding light in the dark and trusting that even in uncertain times, there’s something to hold onto.
Hope as a guiding thread
“Every track carries hope in some way,” Liv explains. “Holding on, looking forward, or trusting that things will be okay. Even in the most emotional songs, there’s always a thread of optimism. That’s why I called it Hopeful Wandering – it’s about exploring, learning and carrying hope with you wherever you go.”
It’s clear this is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a statement of intent, a project that reflects not just where Liv is musically, but where she is personally. Blending genres and moods, she has created a record that feels expansive without losing its intimacy.
Taking it on the road
To celebrate the release, Liv will take Hopeful Wandering on the road this autumn. The run of shows includes a special launch event at Stereo in Glasgow on 23 October, alongside stops across Scotland and London. Fans can expect to hear the EP performed in full, alongside favourites from her growing catalogue.
Tour dates include:
- 19 Sept – Whitebridge Hotel, Loch Ness
- 20 Sept – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
- 4 Oct – The Goil Inn, Lochgoilhead
- 4 Oct – HMV, Glasgow
- 10 Oct – Kilmuir Hall, Isle of Skye
- 18 Oct – Europa Music, Stirling
- 19 Oct – The Glad, London
- 20 Oct – Half Moon, London
- 23 Oct – Stereo, Glasgow (EP Launch)
- 24 Oct – Inn on Loch Lomond
- 27 Oct – King Tut’s, Glasgow (Songwriter’s Round)
Hopeful Wandering looks set to be a defining moment for Liv. With heartfelt songwriting, a fuller sound, and the promise of captivating live performances, it captures both the highs and lows of life while holding onto something brighter.
You can follow Liv Dawn over on Instagram.