John Jenkins Returns With A Beautifully Genuine Record
- BuzzSlayers
- Jul 3
- 9 min read
John Jenkins returns with a brand new album that breeds a very particular brand of honesty, and each song across the span of this release seems to tell a story from a beautiful perspective with, at times, amazing and descriptive lyrics that have emotional backbone and seem to all come from a real place.
The Restless Hearts album is one that filters together elements of Americana, folk, country, rock, and contemporary, bringing them together to create something that has an atmosphere you can easily get attached to. I think the thing that matters most here is the personality and character that this record puts out.
Both soundscape and stories are lush and full-bodied throughout this record, and it's something that you end up holding on to for long after it's ended.
The record starts with a track called "Cruel World", which displays such a vintage tonality, drawing inspiration from classic country, folk, and even classic rock as well. The vocal harmonies are beautiful here, and the sentiment is as well.
This is a brilliant song to introduce the record with because it does showcase some of the staples that you're going to hear throughout the full release; however, this is the kind of album you listen to as a whole.
Listening to a few songs here and there may give you a gist of what you can expect, but it will not give you the full spectrum of what the album has to offer in full.
I wouldn't say it's particularly a concept record, but songs do feel like they interconnect, and again, these are stories told, so to get the full picture, listening to the entire album all at once is one of the best ways to do it.
Throughout this album, you get rolling snares, acoustic guitars, a southern country roots aesthetic, and just a lot of heart.
Tracks like "Too Many Roads" serve as a perfect example of exactly that.
Again, I can't express enough how detailed and descriptive some of these stories can be and how emotional they can come through at times.
Nothing about this record is overdone, but instead paced and performed with a certain gracefulness that you know comes from the heart but also can come through with memorable hooks all over the place.
The record is almost like an escape, and it pulls you from wherever you are and whatever you're doing and puts you in this other place for a little bit.
You're hearing stories and feeding on personality that's just oozing from these songs, and it's something that you get swept up in quite easily.
Throughout the record, you can hear a slew of influences that are embedded in its veins, and I find that to be refreshing because it's not just one genre.
You do hear a lot of that country, Americana, and of course plenty of folk influence all around, but it's got its own vibe and aesthetic happening as well, and that's the thing that makes it special.
You have some amazing, balanced style tracks that display beautiful guitar work and robust vocals that feel passionate, creating a sense of cinematic backbone.
There's a track in particular called "Sound of Thunder" this way, and it's one of my favorite songs on the record by far.
This is the kind of track that can cause memories of your own to pop into your head at random, and it's a very special thing to have a record that is as connective as this one is.
You rarely hear a full album of songs that are authentic, the way this release displays them, and so listening to this record is like reading a book in a sense.
Like I mentioned before, the stories are lush and come from these personal perspectives so that you can paint pictures in your head as they unfold.
This was a very personal record and shows a little bit of vulnerability at times, and it even feels as if it was cathartic to write and release.
You can certainly tell that John had a lot to say and wanted to tell about his experiences, whether they were emotional or not.
This is a record built with fewer boundaries than what you may be used to, and I think that in true folk or country music, you have those elements there. You have that sense of realness so that you know you're listening to something genuine.
These certainly don't sound like made-up stories.
Either way, this is a lot to soak in, and it feels amazing to do so. The songwriting is outstanding, the arrangements were well thought out, the vocals are performed with heart and some soul, and the entire record as a whole is a beautiful experience to soak in.
I would suggest doing so with headphones on and just going from the first song through to the last.
The record spans 12 tracks and has plenty of stories to tell so kick back, pop those headphones on, and have a listen to some of the stories and tales that John Jenkins has to deliver.
Before you dive right in, though, check out the interview that we had with the artist just below.
After listening to the record, we had to have a chat with John just to find out more about where this record actually came from and what might be coming up next to him.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: I'd love to start with the Restless Hearts album! This record showcased honest and in-depth song writing and a range of southern toned approaches! Where did this record come from?
I suppose I'm still learning the craft of songwriting, even at this stage in my life. My last album was deeply personal, rooted in the Liverpool neighbourhood where I grew up. It drew on vivid memories of family, friends, and the characters who shaped my early years. In contrast, this new collection leans more into storytelling—fictional people and imagined lives—but it's hard to keep yourself entirely out of the frame. Inevitably, fragments of personal experience find their way into the lyrics, sometimes in ways that catch me by surprise.
For instance, I didn’t set out to explore spiritual themes, but I was struck by how many religious references appeared in these new songs. They surfaced naturally, perhaps as metaphors or reflections of something deeper I hadn’t consciously intended.
Ultimately, I write with the hope that my songs resonate—whether it’s through the lyrics or the melodies. That sense of connection with the listener is always what I'm reaching for.
Buzz Slayers: I am hearing some amazing styles here! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
That’s a question I often ask myself.
My taste in music is broad, stretching from Alice Cooper to Yes though you'd be hard-pressed to hear those particular echoes in my own songwriting. I originally wrote songs for other artists, but when I began performing and releasing material as a singer-songwriter, I became more conscious of my vocal and stylistic limitations. That awareness helped define the creative parameters I now work within.
Over the last decade, I've developed a deep appreciation for Americana. Songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Nanci Griffith, Bob Dylan, and Mary Chapin Carpenter have had a profound influence on me. If you were to gather together a box of artists in that vein, you might just find me tucked somewhere in there.
That said, my foundational loves remain The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band—icons whose storytelling and musicality continue to inspire me. And I must also acknowledge the incredible musicians who’ve played on my albums; their contributions shape the sound and spirit of the songs in ways that often surprise and elevate them beyond what I initially imagined.
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist and songwriter?
It all began, quite fittingly, in the front parlour of our family home—where a piano stood proudly, long before TVs or karaoke machines took centre stage in people’s living rooms. My dad had one, as did many of his generation, and family sing-arounds were part of life, especially in pubs and homes during birthdays and other gatherings.
As I grew up and found my own way into music, I taught myself to play “Let It Be” on the piano. That kicked things off. Soon after, I moved to guitar, figuring out basic chords. Somewhere along the line, the transition from playing songs to writing them began—though I’ll be the first to admit, those early attempts were far from masterpieces.
The long and winding road, as it were, took me through joining a band as a keyboard player. I learned a great deal from the musicians around me. Eventually, I formed my own band with a close friend—we had a horn section and two phenomenal singers. I wasn’t singing at that point, just writing and playing.
Then came the long pause. The band split, and 25 years drifted by. Quite by accident, I found myself performing at open mics, singing the songs I’d written. One thing led to another—and here I am now, doing what I love, still chasing that spark and discovering new chapters in my musical journey.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any touring in support of the release?
Yes, from July 4th, 2025, to August 2nd, 2025, around the UK. Start in Liverpool (where else would it be?), Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton, Shrewsbury, London, Bath, Cambridge, Salford, Wirral
Buzz Slayers: Did you record this at a home set up, or a bigger studio?
At Crosstown Studios in Liverpool with Jon Lawton. He’s an amazing musician and has a great ear (well 2to be honest
Buzz Slayers: Do you write songs lyrically first, or is it normally ion guitar to start with?
Most of the time—probably 90%—the music comes first. I’ll stumble across a melody I like, and to hold onto it, I’ll use placeholder lyrics—just enough to preserve the shape and rhythm of the tune. Then, usually while sitting in cafés, I’ll take those dummy words and start crafting proper lyrics—lines that actually mean something to me.
Alongside that, I keep another notebook filled with fragments: phrases, story ideas, and lyrical sparks I’ve collected over time. Sometimes those notes find their way into a song when the mood and melody are right.
That said, a couple of tracks on this album actually began with the lyrics. I occasionally challenge myself with songwriting exercises, and more than once, those experiments have produced either a full song or at least the seed of one.
Buzz Slayers: This album feels like a big undertaking! Did it take long to complete?
The delay in finishing this project wasn’t due to lack of time or inspiration—it was purely down to finances. I began recording in September 2024, but without the funds to continue, progress was slow, and sessions were few and far between. I applied for funding numerous times, hoping to secure support for both the album and the tour, but none of those applications were successful.
It wasn’t until I retired from work and received a modest payout that I was finally able to fund the remainder of the project. So, the extended timeline wasn’t about meticulous tinkering—it was about waiting until I could afford to move forward. The album was finally completed in May 2025, and while it took longer than I’d hoped, I’m incredibly proud of what’s come from the journey.
Buzz Slayers: As an artist who is really getting himself out there, what kind of advice would you give to other bands or artists trying to do the same?
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do this or that. If you believe in yourself follow your dream. Always be honest with yourself though. Learn from other artist you admire but find your own style that is comfortable for you. Be patient, don’t let a few setbacks get you down. Try to walk before trying to run. Learn from yourself.
Buzz Slayers: Now that this record is out, what's next for you?
A tour, promotion of the album and at some point, some downtime to enjoy a bit of my retirement from my day job.
Buzz Slayers: What would you say people can expect from this record?
For those familiar with my earlier albums, I think they’ll recognise some recurring themes and narratives—but told through a slightly different lens this time around. With this record, I consciously aimed for a more roots-oriented sound, choosing specific instrumentation to shape that direction. It was an intentional step, musically, to lean further into that earthy, Americana feel.
For anyone coming to my music for the first time, I’d probably describe it as easy listening—music that’s accessible, with (I hope) lyrics that carry some weight and resonance.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
A big thank you for your continuing support and I hope you enjoy the new album. Hopefully see you at one of the shows in July.
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