5 October 2026
One of the most relatable and refreshing talents coming through in the UK right now, mustbejohn is steadily carving out a lane entirely his own. Blending infectious melodies with honest, everyday lyricism, he has established a reputation as an artist who captures the highs and lows of modern life, whilst being as explorative in genre as possible.
Following a busy summer dominating festival stages, he now shares his highly anticipated debut album, Words to Live By, a dynamic offering that introduces the world to the grounded, inrospective yet brilliantly catchy sound of mustbejohn.
Our conversation arrives less than twelve hours after his final live show on the summer festival run, a few days before the release of his debut album, and a couple months before his highly-anticipated UK and European tour. “It’s our first time touring Europe, which is just insane to me. It’s like the people want to hear me in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris” he remarks slightly shocked and overwhelmed, but filled with gratitude. “It’s going to be a brand-new set with all the album stuff fully weaned in, and so, yeah, it’s exciting”.
Although there’s a hint of surprise that people want to see him perform across the world, his upward trajectory and international growth is product of years of consistency, hard work and artistic evolution. Reflecting on what has changed for him over the past three years, his work ethic remains a constant. “I think it’s just grafting it, man… being in the studio more, working with different people, getting better… making bolder decisions.” Naturally, this musical growth is inextricably linked to his personal maturity and further lived-in experiences since 2023. “I believe so. I like to think (I’ve grown) – as you mature and grow as a person, I like to think the music goes alongside it.”
For mustbejohn, navigating the creation of Words to Live By meant stripping away the external and internal noise that comes with any personal demands of such a milestone. “There was a lot more pressure in a sense of, it’s your debut album. You want to get it right… eventually I had to just get rid of it and just go back to basics.”
Going back to basics allowed him to craft a project that authentically reflects his worldview, maintaining the best elements of his earlier works whilst still taking the creativity on project places he hasn’t before. Discussing the meaning and inspiration behind the title, he explains, “We’ve all got our own set of rules or daily things that kind of come into place in our own lives -that is what the album’s about. I was in a session with Rich Harvey – who produced a lot of the tracks on the album – he turned to me when we were working on a song and he said, “Fucking hell, that’s like words to live by, innit? And then I think from then I was just like, “Yeah, like that’s that’s that’s that’s the one man”.
And from there, words for everybody to live by were intricately crafted in the form of twelve tracks; the tracklist captures the full spectrum of his life, purposefully balancing upbeat anthems with more vulnerable moments. “It was just important, especially on the debut album, to show that there’s also a side where, like, sometimes things are shit… because not everything’s always sunshine and rainbows.“
Standout track ‘Love If You Need It’ – co-written with Louis Dunford and James Mellor – arrives as a standout indie-electronic cut that explores tendency to suppress feelings as we mature. Exploring the innovative visuals that were released alongside the track, he credits directors Will and Matt for modernising his 2000s-inspired visual concept, highlighting how the team updated the aesthetic so it “lived in today’s time period,” supported by choreographer Zachary, a talented dance crew, and a collaborative effort where “everyone really got stuck in.”
Sonically, mustbejohn is known for creating addictive, earworm tracks with seriously infectious hooks – an ability he admits comes naturally to him and takes centre-stage again on this album. “I’m a sucker for a catchy melody… I need to be able to listen to it as if it’s not my own track, and be like, ‘Will I want to bop my head to this? Is this making me feel anything?’”
This undeniable knack for a hook has even led fans to compare his songs to classic FIFA soundtracks, a deeply nostalgic compliment for any UK artist. “It’s a big compliment, man. I think a lot of people associate the soundtrack in the game with their early childhood.”
Now, with Words to Live By officially out in the world, the introspective journey of making the album shifts into a shared experience. When asked if the music feels less personal once it is finally released, he admits he is more than ready for the transition. “I’m ready to let it go. I’ve had this music for over a year… when I see someone listening to it for the first time… it kind of springs a new life into it for me.”
Words To Live By is out now – listen HERE.