Credit: Far Out / John Grant

John Grant’s favourite modern artists

Mon 24 March 2025 12:00, UK

It’s not every day you come across an artist like John Grant. Since his days as the frontman of alt-rock band The Czars, Grant’s journey has been anything but linear. Despite releasing six albums, the band never quite reached mainstream success. For Grant, this was a period marked by intense personal struggle. The singer grappled with addiction issues and the challenges of coming to terms with his sexuality in a conservative, Methodist family — the catalyst that eventually led him to take his artistry in a new direction.

Grant has never shied away from exposing his emotional side, experiencing a form of rebirth when he decided to go solo. With seven studio albums now under his belt, multiple genre shifts and mass critical acclaim, his latest album, The Art of The Lie, is his strongest body of work yet.

Beyond his own projects, Grant is an avid admirer of contemporary artists who are defying expectations in the music world. During a 2021 interview with Uncut, Grant revealed his favourite modern artists, many of whom happen to be from the UK.

Grant has a soft spot for Melin Melyn, whom he describes as “a whole mess of them, about six or seven.” Their music, he says, is “poppy and surfy with electronics… They remind me of my friend Cate Le Bon and Gruff Rhys.” This Welsh band’s sound is a blend of surf rock, quirky pop and traditional Welsh influences. They infuse their music with humour and whimsy, creating tracks that feel like sunny, surrealist escapades, making them a perfect fit within the Welsh musical renaissance.

“She’s my pal, though we’ve never met,” Grant says humorously of Anna Meredith, an artist whose sound he finds hard to pin down. “I think she’s really great, but I don’t know how the fuck you would describe her music.”

He continues, “I would think of her as more of a classical composer but with synthesisers.”

Indeed, Meredith’s work is a sugary, explosive cocktail of different influences: classical, electronic and experimental pop. Her tracks often sound like fireworks, blending orchestral instruments with frenetic, playful electronics. “There’s a lot going on, and you never really know what you’re going to get.”

Arlo Parks is a prime example of soulful simplicity. According to Grant, “She’s somebody that I would seek out and go listen to… Her album was really sexy and smooth. She’s got a beautiful voice, but she uses it in a very simple manner with great rhymes and great lyrics.”

Parks’ music embodies a gentle intimacy, pairing poetic lyricism with understated production. Her blend of indie, soul, and bedroom pop offers a warm and introspective atmosphere, making for the kind of sound that envelops you like a cosy blanket.

Speaking of Gwenno, Grant remarks, “She’s got a really strong presence… I don’t wanna say the accursed word folktronica, but she’s got songs with structure and beautiful, dancey electro vibes.” Gwenno’s music is steeped in the Celtic traditions of her native Wales and Cornwall, and she sings in both Welsh and Cornish. Yet, her sound isn’t quaint or traditional; it’s vibrant, danceable, and hypnotic, making her a beacon for anyone craving something uniquely rooted yet forward-thinking. Grant believes that fans of Beth Orton’s more experimental electronic albums will find much to love in Gwenno’s world.

Grant’s discovery of LoneLady came through a collaboration with Stephen Mallinder from Cabaret Voltaire. Her music, he says, is “choppy, full-on electropop — lots of really beautiful synth sounds and heavy beats”. He jokes, “In a live setting, you probably feel it in your balls!” LoneLady (also known as Julie Campbell) blends angular post-punk guitars with gritty, danceable beats.

Her songs exude a cool, urban energy, recalling the post-industrial landscapes of Manchester. She channels the spirit of 1980s pioneers while injecting her own fierce, uncompromising edge. “The way she sings reminds me of Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s. I imagine a show by her being something to really lift your spirits,” he further explained.

Now embarking on a new chapter, Grant has set off on tour to promote his latest album, The Art of The Lie. Fans can look forward to a live show filled with his signature blend of biting wit and synth-laden, heart-wrenching honesty.