Tom McQ channels London’s grassroots spirit on ‘Lonely Revolution’

London’s ongoing grassroots rock revival provides the backdrop to Tom McQ’s new album, “Lonely Revolution.”

The record finds the singer-songwriter combining folk-rooted writing with a more expansive arrangement style, bringing in strings, electric guitar, keyboards, bass and drums.

McQ has developed his reputation through regular street performances and smaller venues across the capital, earning the nickname “Mod Dylan” for a style that draws on classic songwriting traditions while remaining rooted in the contemporary London scene.

That profile has recently grown beyond the city. A late-night Underground performance went viral with more than 11.5 million combined social-media views, while his previous single “In Between Stations” reached No. 2 on the Hypeddit Singer/Songwriter chart.

The new album captures the next stage of that progression, translating songs originally written around acoustic guitar into larger arrangements designed for a full band.