A month after the release of Comical Romance Vol. 1, Johnluke feels like an artist settling into a new chapter with quiet certainty. The EP arrived on October 24th and quickly deepened the promise behind Green Eyes and City Lovin’, two tracks that shaped the emotional world he’s building. What makes this moment stand out is how naturally the Irish artist connects vulnerability with melodic brightness. Reflecting on the EP, he admits, “Writing these songs became a coping mechanism for whatever I was feeling at the time,” a line that explains the pull behind What If I Told Ya? and the balance of tenderness and spark running through the project.
There is a steady confidence growing around him, fuelled by sold-out shows, national television moments and the quiet momentum of listeners who find something familiar in his storytelling. Everything suggests an artist learning to turn openness into movement, shaping a voice that feels grounded and already unmistakably his.
Welcome to METAL!
Thank you for having me.
How does it feel to be speaking about Comical Romance Vol. 1 now that it’s been out for a while?
It’s great as it was nerve-wracking ahead of the release. I’m hoping it resonates with the audience, and I’m delighted it’s finally out and that people are enjoying listening to it as much as I did making it.
When you were shaping the record, did you begin with a clear emotional thread, or did the idea of ‘comical romance’ reveal itself slowly as the songs came together?
The emotional themes that feature in Comical Romance volumes are me genuinely humouring myself. I try to keep it light using a collection of songs that fit. From the get-go, I wanted to create an EP that shows both the harder and softer sides of a relationship. The love, the desire, the attraction, the happiness, the self-worth, and the heartbreak.
Comical Romance Vol. 1 moves through happiness, doubt, reflection and heartbreak without ever sinking into sadness. How intentional was that emotional rollercoaster?
Writing these songs became a coping mechanism for whatever I was feeling at the time. I never expected them to turn out as emotional or relatable as they did or for me to be that vulnerable. It’s become my way of connecting with my audience, letting them experience that full rollercoaster of emotions within all the different sides of relationships. It blends getting over someone, the love and the highlights, as well as the neglect and hurt that can come with them, along with maintaining the feeling of hope.
Your writing began as a way to navigate grief and personal shifts at sixteen. How much of that early vulnerability still guides your voice today, especially in tracks like Pretty or Lovin Me?
It’s guided me more than I realise, because it’s where I drop the veil and show real honesty. It gives everything a true, unfiltered meaning and lets me express myself in a way that’s therapeutic — the only way I know.
Green Eyes and City Lovin’ were already beloved before the EP dropped. How did having those songs so alive in the world influence your decisions on production, pacing and tone for the rest of the project?
The reaction they had gave me a strong foundation for the EP. They confirmed the way I wanted to build a comical heartbreak and romance rollercoaster theme where you can dive into both the happiness and the sadness that come with relationships. Volume 1 kicks off lightly.
Your latest single, What If I Told Ya?, adds a more playful, upbeat layer to the record while still carrying emotional weight. What made this song essential to the first chapter of Comical Romance?
It brought together all the songs in a way that perfectly reflects that bittersweet innocent space between wondering how things could have been and realising that you can’t change the past. It’s that tension between hope and acceptance while recognising what’s out of your hands, but also potentially what could have been in your hands. The instant thought: Agghhh! Why didn’t I bloody act on that!
You brought new collaborators, including drums, synths, and a lead guitar. What did stepping into a more collaborative space unlock for you creatively?
I truly loved collaborating with a variety of musicians. I thrive on making the guitar talk, it pushed me creatively, inspiring new melodies and helping me discover different angles of writing music.
Which track on Comical Romance Vol. 1 feels like the clearest entry point into your world right now?
Lovin Me because it’s a song that shows how low I’ve been, while also highlighting how far I’ve come and revealing my most vulnerable self.
A few weeks ago, you posted about selling out your first-ever headline show, calling it the biggest moment of your life. How did that milestone reshape the way you see your audience and your own trajectory?
It made me truly believe that my dreams are possible because of the support of my fans. This has filled me with deep gratitude for how much they’ve stood by me so far.
Looking back at 2025, from the EP release to the sold-out shows and the TV debut, what moment feels like the real turning point of your year?
What a question, David. While I’m so grateful for the opportunities with radio, press and TV, they have been all massive highlights and amazing moments. But I have to say seeing City Lovin’ hitting a hundred thousand streams, which was the first song to do so, made me reflect and be assured with an amazing feeling that I’m doing things right. It also earned me the nickname The City Lovin’ Guy whenever I’m out and about. Fans of City Lovin’ often sing the lyrics back to me, and that feeling of connection is something I hope never fades.
What are you listening to on repeat these days?
Everything from Ed Sheeran and Noah Kahan to Paolo Nutini.
With Comical Romance Vol. 2 already underway and a debut album on the horizon, what’s the bigger dream that keeps you moving through each new chapter?
Ultimately, making music is my dream. It’s honestly a huge part of who I am. It’s my soul. The bigger vision is to share that with a more global audience, to see the songs reach millions upon millions of streams and to one day sell out my first arena show. Achieving that would feel like stepping into a dream I’d never want to wake up from. And should I be lucky enough to live it, I won’t take a single moment for granted.