John Blek – releases the new single ‘Better’ + official video

One of Ireland’s most distinctive and creative independent artists, John Blek releases new track Better today – the final single from forthcoming studio album The Midnight Ache, set for release on January 16th 2026.

Better is the third single to come from the album, following earlier releases 747 and With You. The latest offering moves with quiet momentum and John’s simple yet poignant lyricism and vocal delivery. The song is the artist’s effort to convince a loved one of his ability to be a better person despite what he sees as his past shortcomings.

“I’m my own worst critic in every facet of my life. Always hung up on trying to be better but often not doing much about it.”

The track adds to the tone set by previous singles for upcoming album The Midnight Ache, a staggeringly beautiful and perfectly formed piece of alternative folk with a lo-fi heart and touches of modest grandeur. It’s the work of an artist with a voice that could break a heart in two, and songs that could heal the most weary of souls.

With 11 beautiful recordings, this time around John has taken his DIY spirit one step further. Not only did he self-record and produce the majority of the album, he went so far as to build the recording studio with his own bare hands. A labour of love but labour all the same.

In April 2024 Blek finished building his new creative home, Bigger River Recording Co., and set about working on what would become The Midnight Ache. Echos of Sea Change-era Beck and Sparklehorse give this record a lo-fi intimacy while the string arrangements balance the sound with an element of grandeur and sophistication.

Home is very much at the heart of The Midnight Ache, it features vocal performances by John’s wife, and even the cover is adorned with pressed flowers from their garden. Additional production and mixing was done by regular collaborator Brian Casey at Wavefield Recordings.

Speaking on the release, John says “This album took me by surprise. I was slowly writing and using the songs to try to get to know the new studio space. Sonically feeling my way around and seeing what I could achieve when all of a sudden I realised I was looking at a new record.”

The Midnight Ache will be released on the 16th of January on John’s own label Bigger River Recording Co. To celebrate the release, John will embark on a series of tour dates around Ireland, the UK and Europe over the coming weeks.

Album pre-order: https://johnblek.com/shop/

IRISH & UK TOUR DATES:

JANUARY

16            CARRICK ON SUIR, Tearoom Sessions
29    GLASGOW, The Hug and Pint

FEBRUARY

06        KILKENNY, Cleere’s
08        KINSALE, Prim’s Bookshop
12        WEXFORD, The Sky & The Ground
13        DUBLIN, Whelan’s
15        CORK, Coughlan’s
19   TWYFORD, The Swiss Cottage
20   LONDON, The Grace
21   BRISTOL, The Louisiana
22   ST DAVIDS, Dead Sea Records

MARCH

25        LIMERICK, Cleary’s
29        CLONAKILTY, DeBarra’s

Tickets available from https://johnblek.com/tour/