Johnluke – City Lovin’ (2025)
Should Paolo Nutini and Mumford & Sons happen to have a lovechild, the chances are it would be Johnluke. An artist “so cool they named him twice”, the Irish singer-songwriter astounds listeners with his blend of country, folk and pop music. Despite releasing his debut single, ‘Already Been Told’, only last year, the Irish musician is already turning heads earning a national following, being part of Todays FM’s “Ireland’s Next Big Busker 2025” campaign, performing at iconic venues, and supporting LYRA at Riverfest. Join us as we delve into Johnluke’s latest single, ‘City Lovin’’.
Following his well-received singles ‘Otherside’ and ‘Have tonight’, ‘City Lovin’’ showcases Johnluke’s way of taking folk music, twisting it about, and dripping other genres into this sonic concoction. While ‘Have tonight’ leaned toward a heavier upbeat pop vibe, ‘Otherside’ dipped into an indie-folk tone; however, ‘City Lovin’’ holds to a folk/country sound brimming with raw passion in the three-minute track.
Produced and co-penned with Daragh Daly, ‘City Lovin’’ is smooth, calm, mellifluous, gentle and tranquil. Lingering somewhere between James Blunt and Paolo Nutini, his music soothes any ailing soul, offering a fresh breath on a dismal day. Toe-tapping guitars, crashing drums, and what I think is a sliver of piano peeping in the back – although I may be entirely incorrect – ‘City Lovin’’ is the definition of infectiousness.
Listening to ‘City Lovin’’ is more than merely hearing a song blast from your speakers; it brims with the raw power of a live performance. I can imagine Johnluke busking on a Dublin street or playing at an open mic night with this anthemic earworm – I suppose that’s why he was part of Todays FM’s “Ireland’s Next Big Busker” campaign. It’s more than a simple song; it’s one to touch your heart, pouring passion into every word.
Sincere, sentimental and hypnotising, I can easily see why Johnluke is making a name for himself in the Irish music scene. Watch this one closely because before you know it, he’ll be establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with far beyond Irish borders.
Find out more about Johnluke on his X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
Listen to more folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
