John K has always made music with feeling. But on SALT + LIGHT, his latest album (via Epic Records), there’s a different kind of focus—a clearer sense of who he is and what he wants his music to hold. Across the record, he explores themes of love, family, and growth with the kind of openness that feels lived-in rather than performative.

The latest single, “Never Been In Love,” is a bright, emotionally honest track born from a simple text exchange with his wife. After asking how she felt when they first met, her reply—“Like I’ve never been in love before”—became the heart of the song. It’s a celebration of the kind of love that makes everything before it feel faint by comparison. With production by Grant Boutin (Tate McRae, Meghan Trainor), the track blends quick drums, sharp guitar, and a full-throttle vocal performance that matches the overwhelming rush of the lyrics.

This isn’t the only moment on the album that taps into something raw. Earlier singles like “Honey” and “River” delve into anxiety and connection from different angles, showcasing a wide emotional range that reflects where John is now—in his life and his process. Over the past few years, he’s become a father, toured internationally, and built a steady catalog of songs that continue to resonate on a global scale. His breakout hit “if we never met” has even crossed the billion-stream mark, and his shows draw passionate fans from Seoul to Seattle.

But SALT + LIGHT doesn’t read like a victory lap. It sounds like an artist stepping into a more intentional chapter, with a steadier voice and a clear sense of why he’s doing what he’s doing. The lyrics feel unforced. The stories come through. It’s music designed for real-life milestones—weddings, late-night drives, or the quiet realization that things are finally in place.

With a 19-date tour ahead and more music on the way, we caught up with John K to talk about where this album came from, how life offstage has shaped what he writes, and why this moment feels like the most honest yet.

“Never Been In Love” is such a pure expression of joy. What was going through your head the day that song actually came together?

John K: That day felt like catching lightning in a bottle. I remember walking into the room already smiling, which is a win. I had just had one of those little real-life moments with my wife that made me feel whole. We started talking about how crazy it is that love can still surprise you, even when you’re deep in it. That realization, that you can be with someone for years and still feel like you’re falling, that’s the heartbeat of “Never Been in Love.” It just poured out, joy and all.

You’ve said it started with a real text from your wife. Was that always something you knew would become a lyric?

John K: Honestly, no. At first, it was just one of those texts that hits different. I asked her “how did you feel the moment we met.” She immediately wrote back, “like I’d never been in love before,” and I just stared at it. Not because it was poetic, though it was, but because it was real. I just laughed and said, “hey guys… we’ve got our lyric.” I brought it into the room. And it became the anchor. Before you know it we were singing it at the top of our lungs!

There’s a celebratory feel to the production—it leans pop, but in a very grounded way. How did you and Grant Boutin land on that sound?

John K: Grant and I both wanted the song to feel like love. Not just lyrically — sonically. We built the track around warmth, groove, and that fun feeling of driving with the windows down after you say “I love you” for the first time. There’s bounce, there’s air, there’s heart. We weren’t chasing a trend or a sound; we were just chasing a feeling. And once we tapped into that, the rest came naturally.

From “Honey” to “River” to now, SALT + LIGHT, it feels like there’s been a full emotional arc. Did you know the shape of the album going in, or did it unfold over time?

John K: It definitely unfolded. I didn’t walk in with a blueprint. I didn’t know what it would be. I just wrote what was real in the moment for me. But looking back, there is an arc: from joy to pain to presence to peace. “Honey” is new love, “River” is letting go, “Never Been in Love” is the rediscovery and then there’s everything in between. The shape came from life itself. I just tried to document it honestly.

You’ve always written about love, but how has that evolved now that you’re a husband and father?

John K: It’s deeper. It’s quieter sometimes. It’s not always about the fireworks now, it’s about consistency. it’s the little things, like rocking your kid to sleep or folding laundry side by side. Love becomes more of a choice than a rush. But in that, it becomes more powerful. Being a husband and dad has shown me what real commitment looks like, and that bleeds into every line I write. There’s just more life behind the lyrics now.

You’ve said you want these songs to be “played at weddings” or to be associated with big moments for people. From your perspective, what do you think makes a song timeless in that way?

John K: I think it comes down to emotional honesty. If a song captures a real feeling that people can see themselves in. It’s not just the words, but the truth behind them that lasts. It doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be real. The songs that become part of people’s lives aren’t always the biggest ones. They’re the ones that say what someone’s heart has been trying to say.

As you get ready to hit the road, what’s one thing you hope fans walk away with after hearing this new music live?

John K: I hope they leave feeling full. Not just entertained, but seen. This music was made from the mess and magic of real life and when we bring it to the stage, we’re not just putting on a show. We’re creating a space for people to feel something deep, together. If someone walks away a little lighter, holding their person a little tighter, or calling someone they’ve been missing, then I feel like I did my job.