John Smyths discovers his voice and wisdom in debut single "Now I'm Wiser"

For newcomer John Smyth, whose life has been shaped by rock's grit and country's heart, the spotlight might be ready, but he's more than prepared to step in with his debut single, "Now I'm Wiser." Johan Smits, more famously known as Smyths, was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, in 1961, and his musical path has been far from typical. He grew up blasting Kiss, AC/DC, and Iron Maiden. Still, he later took inspiration from the storytelling of Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Kenny Rogers, and it all comes together in Carll's sound, which reflects decades of living and a wide-ranging influence.

Now residing in Germany, Smyths is on to a new chapter and is welcoming the world to his music in his artist capacity. The song seems to tick off tags like a radio programmer­, but as a track, it feels like the kind of reflection that this artist might pursue. That's not just a debut, that's a missive to the world that Smyths is prepared to share his voice wholeheartedly, with no restrictions.

There is an emotional rawness stitched into his raps, the kind that cannot be faked, but it comes only from a life well-lived, with all its ups and downs. Listeners will find the boldness of rock, along with its echoes and swagger, paired with the warmth and earnestness of classic country, forging a fresh sound from familiar elements. Now out on all streaming services, John Smyth's introduction to the music world is the song that describes any period in your life when something had to happen, and the flame only scorched you.

In a world that doesn't get to see a lot of Stephs and doesn't get to hear a lot of stories, Stephs and their stories are well worth the wait. "By the time the world catches up to that, all these wonderful stories will help us make sense of it," Smyths said. "Now I'm Wiser" is more than a song; it's a beginning, a declaration of recovery, and a promise of more music to come.

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