John Newman marks his comeback with new single ‘Merry Go’
A bright, uplifting return shaped by fatherhood and creative rediscovery
Following a career that has delivered multiple UK No.1 singles, over 2.5 billion streams, and BRIT and Ivor Novello nominations, John Newman continues his powerful creative resurgence with new single ‘Merry Go’, released last Friday.
John rocketed into 2026 with a reworking of his breakout hit ‘Love Me Again’, quickly amassing several million streams. The release was accompanied by a striking Northern Soul-inspired dance video and a powerful package of remixes, which have since gained serious traction across major club floors worldwide.
A vibrant, feel-good record built for summer and beyond, ‘Merry Go’ pairs glistening pop production with Newman’s unmistakable soulful vocal, delivering an uplifting track rooted in personal evolution and artistic rediscovery. Written by John Newman, Joe Kearns, and Hannah Boleyn, and produced by Newman alongside Kearns and Robin Klaver, the single captures a renewed sense of freedom that has defined his latest chapter.
"Being out in Europe and around the world again made me realise how much I’d missed that raw and deeper feeling you only get when you’re reconnecting with audiences and rebuilding yourself creatively. This track really came from that moment of rediscovery. At the same time, I became a father to my incredible daughter — and you can actually hear her right at the very start of the track. It’s just a tiny moment, but it means a lot to me and felt like a special way to have her be part of this new chapter. The song has a fun, uplifting energy, and I hope people enjoy it throughout the summer and the rest of the year. It feels amazing to be back." - John Newman
While Newman’s voice and songwriting have long been etched into the fabric of contemporary music, this new phase marks something deeper: a return to instinct, emotion and creative freedom. After stepping away from the industry in recent years to reset and heal, he has reconnected with the foundations that first shaped him, soul, gospel and raw, emotive songwriting, now channelled into a more open and expressive sound.
What began as a ground-up rebuild has quickly scaled to the global stage, with standout appearances across Europe and beyond, including landmark sets at Tomorrowland (Belgium and Brazil), Creamfields Chile, Exit Festival, Electric Love Festival, Beats for Love and Saga Festival and many more. That momentum has continued into 2026, cementing Newman’s return as both a recording artist and live performer, with more international shows set to be announced and an album in the pipeline, he continues to, in his own words, “burst open the barriers and open the floodgates on new music”.
With ‘Merry Go’, Newman brings all of this into focus and a clear statement that he’s entering one of his most exciting eras to date.
Follow John Newman:
https://johnnewmanofficial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/johnnewmanmusic/
https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnewman
https://soundcloud.com/johnnewmanmusic
https://www.facebook.com/johnnewmanmusic/
http://www.youtube.com/@Johnnewmanmusic
Stijn Maris