J Mahon Returns With Emotionally Radiant New Single Begin Again
With a voice that seems to echo from outer space and melodies that cut deep into the heart, belly, and mind, J Mahon returns with Begin Again—a new single that is both emotionally raw and melodically radiant.
Out now via Unique Records / Schubert Music Europe, the track stands as a vulnerable yet triumphant anthem of renewal.
Wrapped in an upbeat, piano-led arrangement, Begin Again invites listeners into an intimate space of self-reinvention, resilience, and emotional clarity. The lyric “I’d give my life to begin again” speaks to universal struggles, delivered with Mahon’s trademark honesty and a newly grounded self-awareness.
“There have been so many times in my life where I’ve had to start over—changing countries, changing genres, getting clean,” Mahon explains. “This song is about those moments of transition. It was born in 2022 and held close until I was ready. When I finally recorded it with Syd Kemp, I found myself tearing up during the second verse. That never happens. It’s the most honest I’ve ever been in a song.”
Recorded in London with longtime collaborator Syd Kemp (Ulrika Spacek), the single offers the first glimpse into Mahon’s forthcoming album. The material was shaped across a year of careful songwriting, blending diaristic lyricism with a refined sonic palette.
Described as chamber pop with echoes of Spiritualized and Sigur Rós, Mahon’s evolving sound is also influenced by Sparklehorse, Daniel Johnston, and Townes Van Zandt—balancing nostalgia with forward momentum.
The upcoming album, Begin Again, Again, reflects Mahon’s personal journey through recovery, displacement, and artistic reinvention. For the first time, Mahon revisited demos recorded between 2019 and 2023, using them as the foundation for a cohesive and emotionally textured record.
Notably, Mahon taught himself piano just days before entering the studio—transforming formerly guitar-driven songs into shimmering new arrangements. The album also features contributions from Callum Brown (Ulrika Spacek), Victoria RH (vocals), and Clementine Brown (The Penguin Cafe, violin/viola), while Mahon handled the majority of instrumentation and arrangements himself.
Mixed and co-produced by Syd Kemp and mastered by Jason Mitchell (PJ Harvey, XTC, Aldous Harding), Begin Again, Again is more than an album—it’s a statement of transformation, perseverance, and artistic maturity.
With Begin Again, J Mahon offers an anthem for anyone standing at life’s crossroads, reminding listeners that it’s never too late to start anew.
