Iona Zajac, the Glasgow-based songwriter and also touring vocalist for The Pogues, has officially announced her highly anticipated debut album, Bang, set for release on November 21st. The announcement caps off a remarkable year for Zajac, who has been steadily building momentum with a string of powerful singles.
Following her return to the stage with The Pogues for a celebrated reunion tour, Zajac unveiled a series of songs that now serve as a powerful preview of the album. The journey began with the haunting “Summer,” a track that coincided with her UK tour supporting Alison Moyet. She then released the album’s title track, “Bang,” a bold and liberated anthem celebrating sexual freedom and a rejection of the slut-shaming culture of her teens. This was followed by the unflinching “Anton,” a raw reflection on toxic relationships that showcased her fearless lyrical candour and dynamic vocal range.
Now, Zajac offers another glimpse into her debut with the new single and music video for “Dilute.” Described as one of the record’s most “striking and surreal” pieces, the track channels a raw, otherworldly fury, transforming anger into liberation.
Speaking on the track, Zajac says: “Dilute is the anchor of my first album, Bang. I sort of see the song as one of my weird dreams that I’m forcing into reality. Why can’t we run around with red faces, screaming at men who’ve wronged us? I see no issue. I see myself as a feral, strong woman in this song, and I want it to be one for women to find their anger and turn it into power and then one day maybe we can all meet up in a forest painted red and run through it holding hands screaming. Rise together from the warm black oil we’ve been dunked in! After I wrote the song my mum went to an exhibition and found Judy Chicago ‘Woman and Red Flares.’ I think she nailed it.”
The video was shot & directed by Carys Huws – @caryshuws.
Pre-order debut album Bang via https://ffm.to/ionazajacbang
With Bang, Zajac promises an album that is both cathartic and empowering, influenced by everyone from Maya Angelou to Emily Dickinson. Rooted in resilience and solidarity, it’s a record that embraces discomfort and human contradictions. Iona continues her US and Canada tour with The Pogues this Friday, with an Album Launch Show scheduled for November 27th at The Social, London (tickets for which go on sale on Monday September 8th).
Live Dates
Sept 5th – Lincoln Centre, Washington (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 7th – Seasun Festival, Boston (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 8th – Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 10th – History, Toronto (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 12th – Mtelus, Montreal (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 13th – CityFolk Festival, Ottowa (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 16th – Terminal 5, New York (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 17th – Terminal 5, New York (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 19th – Riot Fest, Chicago (As part of The Pogues)
Sept 22nd – Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow (w/ Lisa O’Neill)
Sept 23rd – Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow (w/ Lisa O’Neill)
Sept 24th – The Glasshouse, Gateshead (w/ Lisa O’Neill)
November 27th – The Social, London (album release headline show – on sale Monday 8th September)
