MT Jones announces debut album with single / video ‘Why I Cry’
Hot on the heels of April’s release “Punchin'”, which spent three weeks on the BBC Radio 2 Playlist, rising UK soul artist MT Jones returns with his most vulnerable and affecting release to date. New single “Why I Cry” heralds the forthcoming arrival of his full-length debut album coming early 2026.
Rooted in the emotional complexity of grief and memory, “Why I Cry” pairs Jones’ signature warmth and vocal soul with lush live instrumentation and raw lyrical honesty. “Why I Cry’ is ultimately a song about loss”, he explains. “It’s a tough subject to tackle, and always a hard one to sing about. When you lose someone, the truth is, they never really go away. They stay with you, in memories, in moments, and that’s something beautiful. That’s really what the song is about”.
Though the subject is weighty, the production lifts it skyward. “Sonically, we wanted to keep it as uplifting as possible”, Jones continues. “Just like how we try to hold onto the good memories and carry the best parts of those we’ve lost with us”.
The track adds to a growing catalogue that’s earned Jones strong tastemaker support across BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, Jazz FM, and BBC Introducing, where he was named a 1Xtra ‘Step Up’ artist. His sound, a warm blend of 60s soul, modern R&B and jazz, has drawn comparisons to Donny Hathaway, Carole King, and D’Angelo, while remaining distinctly his own.
From his beginnings as a teenage busker to touring internationally with Jalen Ngonda and supporting Lauryn Hill, Jones’ journey has been shaped by both graft and soul. Now, with the release of “Why I Cry” and further growth on the horizon, he’s gearing up for his biggest headline run yet.
- 04/10 – Margate, UK – Olby’s Soul Cafe & Music Rooms
- 10/10 – Dunmow, UK – Foakes Hall
- 11/10 – Dunmow, UK – Foakes Hall
- 16/10 – Manchester, UK – Deaf Institute
- 17/10 – Liverpool, UK – Arts Club Loft
- 22/10 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
- 05/11 – Amsterdam, NL – Cinetol
- 06/11 – Hasselt, BE – Cafe Cafe
- 07/11 – Paris, FR – L’Archipel
- 14/11 – Glasgow, SCT – Poetry Club
- 15/11 – Leeds, UK – Live At Leeds In The City
- 28/11 – Bristol, UK – Rough Trade
“Why I Cry” out via digitally on August 16th 2024 via EDMD Management
