Image Cred: Aaron Parsons
John Newman has spent over a decade moving between pop and electronic spaces, with multiple UK No.1 records and a catalog that continues to circulate across radio, clubs, and streaming platforms. In 2026, he returns with “Love Me Again (Again)”, a self-driven rework that reframes one of his most recognized records for current dancefloors while setting up the direction of his next phase. The release also connects to his newer alias SIX40TWO, where the focus leans further into club context, edits, and DJ-led performance.
That shift shows up clearly in how he talks about music now. The emphasis has moved toward control, ownership, and how records function in a live setting. His sets lean heavily on edits, IDs, and unreleased material, which allows him to shape a consistent sound across different environments without relying on external catalogues. At the same time, his background in vinyl and radio still informs how he values music, especially in terms of audience reaction and longevity.
This conversation centers on access versus ownership, streaming versus physical culture, and how Newman maintains a defined identity in a landscape where discovery moves quickly. The throughline is direct: access has expanded opportunity, but connection still gets tested in front of a crowd.
Interview With John Newman
How do you think about the difference between owning music and accessing it instantly through streaming platforms?
Yeah its hard I grew up Dj’ing on vinyl, there was nothing like spending hours in the vinyl shop, the smell the touch however I do understand the evolution of music becoming more accessible.
I feel there is now more opportunity for emerging artists without the major label hold on the charts, bedrooms can become hits, its just about a natural selection so feel the quality has to maintain the highest level throughout this growth.
Has streaming changed how you build or maintain your library?
Not really to be honest there is nothing better for me than that feeling of your tracks being played on the radio in summer or seeing thousands of people singing em back or dancing to them at the big shows.
When so much music is being released and hitting your inbox each week, how do you preserve music that defines your identity?
My set generally is full of my own edits and id’s and upcoming stuff, I really struggle with hearing other peoples music in my sets I always get the urge to re produce the track to make it fit perfectly in the show.
What practices help you stay intentionally connected to your music in a streaming-first workflow?
I honestly think its live, you cant beat that connection so its about pushing my audiences to get that feeling, I need to see this live and that comes from two sides, energy and commitment in the releases but mainly having something special live, this is something I really work hard towards and pride myself upon.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
