Six more of the best music January had to offer with the exceptional debut from Tanzana, an anti-Trump anthem from Smoking Pope’s, Amy adding an extra layer of brilliance to Bob Vylan, another anthem from singles round up stalwarts pMad, Glasgow post rock legends Mogwai and hypnotic trip rock from Heartworms.
pMad – Feed
pMad are more or less a permanent feature in the singles round up, releasing a steady stream of consistently top quality gothic tinged dark post punk singles over the last few years. Feed is no exception, with an anti-capitalist sentiment st its core, “the life of a value is more important than the value of a life”.
Mogwai – Fanzine Made From Flesh
Glasgow post rock legends have just released their new album The Bad Fire, from which Fanzine Made From Flesh originates, the single is a many layered and textured sweet cacophony of mellifluous guitars and synths topped with vocoder laden vocals surely signalling album number eleven will be a sure fire hit.
Smoking Popes – Allegiance
A band who first captured my imagination 30 years ago with their single Need You Around have released one of my most listened to singles of 2025 to date, an anti-Trump/anti-hate/pro-love anthem in the shape of Allegiance, which, judging by the comments I witnessed on socials recently has flushed out the right wing nutters from their fan base who I’m sure Josh Caterer and Co will been more than happy to see the back of. I pledge allegiance to love…
Tanzana – Covet
Single of the month for January comes in the shape of this exceptional debut release from one of Glasgow… no Scotland…. nay, the UK’s most promising new bands. Tanzana recently headlined a sold out Glasgow’s King Tuts Wah Wah Hut to a an ecstatic crowd, playing an astonishing set from which Covet was one of the stand out songs. This band are destined for bigger things.
Bob Vylan (with Amy Taylor) – Dream Bigger
Two of the biggest heavyweight titans in the current global crop of punk bands come together with Amy adding her instantly recognisable voice and attitude to Vylan’s single Dream Big, resulting in the two irrepressible political agitators creating a knockout tune.
Heartworms – Extraordinary Wings
Heartworms visit Glasgow in February, playing Kings Tuts on the 18th, based on this hauntingly addictive Portishead meets Twin Peaks masterpiece of a single, you’d better get in quick before the date sells out.