When an artist debuts under a new name, it’s often a gamble, and listeners may not know what to expect. And first impressions carry a weight that lingers. For Johannes Smits, now stepping out as John Smyths, the risk pays off beautifully with his debut single, “Now I’m Wiser.” While he may only just be entering the digital stage, Smyths isn’t new to the craft. Years of quietly releasing singles have polished his sound, and here he unveils a piece that feels lived-in and strikingly fresh. Raised on the high-octane theatrics of Kiss, Iron Maiden, and AC/DC, Smyths could have chosen to follow the hard rock lineage. Instead, he leans into the storytelling traditions of country greats like Hank Williams and Kenny Rogers. The result is a track that proudly tips its hat to Nashville while weaving in just enough eccentricity to mark Smyths as an artist of his own making.
From its opening notes, “Now I’m Wiser” carries the spirit of vintage country music—the kind that fills smoky barns and keeps dance halls alive well past midnight. The arrangement is built around warm, twangy instrumentation that recalls the greats of the genre without sounding derivative. There’s a banjo woven through the mix, subtle but bluesy, giving the song texture and grounding. Guitar riffs glide with a steady charm, while touches of piano brighten the edges, creating a balance between ruggedness and refinement. It’s music that feels handcrafted, less like a modern country-pop polish job and more like something you’d stumble upon at a roadside bar where the band plays with their souls laid bare. The toe-tapping rhythm is undeniable, but beneath the lighthearted swing is a depth that hints at the maturity Smyths brings to his songwriting.
That maturity reveals itself most vividly in Smyth’s voice. He sings the song and inhabits it. There’s a richness in his delivery, a warmth that captures the essence of old-school country storytelling. Yet, what makes it especially compelling is the undercurrent of vulnerability woven through his tone. He may declare himself “wiser,” but there’s a subtle tension in the way he phrases certain lines, as if wisdom was earned through missteps and bruised hearts. This duality—confidence tinged with unease—makes the track relatable. Listeners can hear the strength and fragility in his timbre, a balancing act that separates the seasoned from the merely talented. A faint trace of his Dutch heritage lingers in his accent, though it’s wrapped so neatly in Nashville inflexions that it feels more like an added texture than an outlier.
The chorus is where “Now I’m Wiser” truly lodges itself into memory. Catchy without ever feeling forced, it carries the kind of hook that echoes in your head long after the track ends. It’s deceptively simple, yet the timing and phrasing make it addictive, the kind of refrain you hum absentmindedly hours later. The production deserves its due credit here as well. Everything feels tight and intentional—no instrument overpowers another, no vocal gets lost in the mix. Instead, the sound is fluid, as though each layer instinctively knows where it belongs. The end product is a recording that flows effortlessly, inviting repeated listens. And indeed, it’s the kind of track that demands to be replayed, over and over, until the lyrics feel as familiar as your own thoughts.
Ultimately, “Now I’m Wiser” is a debut that makes a promise—and then delivers. It’s an introduction that honours the traditions of country while allowing Smyth’s individuality to shine. His blend of warmth, maturity, and vulnerability positions him as an artist who can hold his own among seasoned performers while still offering something fresh. For listeners weary of overproduced, radio-tailored country, this track feels like a welcome breath of authenticity. John Smyths may be a new name to most, but with a debut this strong, it won’t be one easily forgotten. He’s carved out a sound that stands firmly on the shoulders of giants, yet walks with his own stride. And as the title suggests, he truly does sound wiser for the journey that brought him here.
