2025 was a breakthrough year for mod artist Cian Downing.
Over 60 gigs across the UK, a prestigious role as an ambassador for Yamaha Music, and the release of his debut album Grassroots To The Sky — an album that’s already clocked close to 30,000 Spotify streams and culminated in a sold-out hometown moment at Camden’s Fiddler’s Elbow. Add to that being championed by Paul Weller and Silky (Death of Guitar Pop), and it’s clear Downing’s name is travelling fast in all the right circles. If 2025 laid the foundations, 2026 looks ready to raise the roof.
New single Come Around captures exactly why momentum is building for Downing right now. A sharp, smart crossover of 00s indie jangle and Trojan-era reggae groove, the track narrates a night down the pub that slips from unity into disorder — familiar territory, delivered with wit and rhythm rather than nostalgia. The reggae-leaning verses lock into a skanking rhythm section that feels disciplined rather than loose, while the jangly chorus is pure communal release, built for sweat-soaked singalongs.
At the centre of it all are Cian’s vocals — direct, characterful, and increasingly confident. There’s a conversational edge to his delivery, part storyteller, part ringleader, giving the song a sense of authenticity that can’t be faked. He doesn’t over-sing or overreach; instead, he lets phrasing and personality do the work, drawing you into the narrative without losing the groove.
Equally crucial is the band behind him. This is a tight, well-drilled unit that understands the balance between energy and control. The rhythm section drives the song with real intent — basslines rolling with reggae warmth, drums snapping sharply enough to keep the indie edge intact — while the guitars add texture and bite without cluttering the mix.
Live, Come Around has already proven itself to be a fans favourite, thanks to it’s ska-mod bounce, upbeat energy and tight rhythms, and that chemistry translates seamlessly to record.
Crucially, this isn’t pastiche or retro cosplay. Come Around feels like a genuine step forward in Downing’s mission to create mod music for the 21st century — rooted in influence, respectful of its lineage, but unmistakably original.
With major appearances already lined up — from the BIG All Day Ska & Mod Extravaganza to Skagate Weekender, Whitby Ska & Mod Weekender and Brighton Mod Weekender — alongside a four-date headline tour that includes London’s The Water Rats, Come Around arrives as both a statement and a signal. Cian Downing isn’t just riding the mod revival — he’s actively shaping where it goes next.
Come Around is released on Friday 23rd January.
Ticket’s for Cian Downing ‘s summer headline tour: here.
Cian Downing Socials
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