After years in the spotlight with The Wanted and a well-received solo debut, Nathan Sykes is back—this time with a fresh perspective, complete creative control, and a deepened understanding of himself as an artist. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his evolution since Unfinished Business, the personal journey behind his latest music, and why he’s finally ready to share the most authentic version of himself with the world.
How has your sound evolved since your 2016 debut album, Unfinished Business?
I feel like I’m much more settled in who I am as an artist. With my first solo album, I was so determined to prove myself. While I’m really proud of the record I produced, at 21 years old, I was still figuring out who I was and what I wanted to present as a solo artist, rather than as one-fifth of a band. Now, for the first time, I have a full understanding of myself as an artist. I’ve broken away from industry influences and fully embraced who I am.
What was it like working with Tobie Tripp, David Sneddon, and Theo Hutchcraft on this track? How did they influence the song’s direction?
It was a dream. I met Dave when I first started writing my second solo album, which didn’t end up getting released due to the band’s reunion. He’s been alongside me through some of the hardest times in my life—not only as one of my best mates but also as someone I completely look up to. It was inevitable that he would be a huge part of this whole album.
Dave introduced me to Tobie and basically said, “I’m almost positive you’ll both get on, so even if the song is shit, you’ll at least get a mate out of it.” He was right—Tobie has become a huge part of my life and ended up producing nearly the entire album.
Theo is amazing, and having him in the session was surreal because I’m a huge fan of his work. I believe Pieces of Me was the first song we wrote together as a four-piece, and we focused on making it authentic to my story while keeping it fun with a massive pop chorus. The biggest compliment I can give all of them is that they bring out the best in me. Instead of chasing singles, they help me create something personal, knowing the right singles will come naturally when I’m at my best.
You’ve had massive success both as a solo artist and with The Wanted. How do you approach music differently now compared to your early career?
I was 15 when I first auditioned for The Wanted and 16 when I started working with the band. It was a completely different time in my life—looking back, it was really difficult. I was working with guys five years older than me, which, from 16 to 21, is a huge jump in life experience. I was trying to fit in while figuring everything out and learning on the job. As a result, I couldn’t always put my best self forward because I didn’t know what that looked like yet.
The difference now is that I’m given the time and space—both by myself and those around me—to unapologetically be myself. That’s what has allowed me to grow into the person and artist I am today.
What have been the biggest challenges in transitioning from being in a group like The Wanted to working as a solo artist?
Honestly, learning to trust that I am enough has been a challenge. When you’ve been part of a band for so long, signed to a major label, and very much a part of the machine, it’s easy to feel like a product of a well-oiled marketing strategy. We had the best team, the best label, the best writers, producers, and production managers—it made me wonder, Would it be any different if it were someone else in my place?
Over time, I’ve learned to trust my ability and reconnect with why I wanted to do this in the first place. Working in a small, intimate studio setting has brought out the best in me. It’s allowed me to trust my vision and have the control to make decisions that will hopefully set my career up for the future.
Do you ever miss the dynamic of being in a band, or do you feel more freedom as a solo artist?
I love the freedom of being a solo artist. I always felt quite isolated in a band, as if I was expected to play a role. That’s not to say I don’t look back fondly on my time with The Wanted—it took time to get to this place, but I’m really grateful for the experiences we shared and the opportunities our hard work gave us. That said, being a solo artist is where I feel most comfortable.
The lyrics of Pieces of Me suggest a more personal side of you. What message do you hope fans take away from this song?
The lyrics actually stemmed from a conversation in the studio about my journey. I don’t think people have ever truly seen the real me, both personally and professionally, because I haven’t really let them in. I’ve always kept people at a distance and, as a result, often been misunderstood.
I feel that if I begin to lower those walls and let people come closer, I’m finally ready to share who I am. Pieces of Me felt like the perfect starting point—asking someone to see the full version of yourself. Once the song was finished, it very quickly felt like the right one to kick off this new chapter.
You mentioned working on new music for a while. Can you give us a glimpse into what your upcoming album will sound like?
I’m so proud of it. The album feels like two halves: one side is upbeat and carefree, while the other is more introspective and emotional, addressing some of the tougher times I’ve been through over the last few years.
There’s also been a shift in how I frame my vocals—something I really wanted to explore. As the album progresses, there’s a wider range of vocal textures and intricacies that add so much of my identity to the record without taking away from the songwriting, which can be a difficult balance to strike.
Are there any particular themes or emotions that have shaped your new material?
I’ve really enjoyed writing more upbeat, carefree tracks for this album. My first solo album had a lot of ballads, and I think people expected me to return with an album full of piano-driven songs. But figuring out what I want my upbeat tracks to sound and feel like has been an important part of this process.
Over the last few years, I’ve experienced extreme emotions from both love and loss. I lost people close to me and found healing in writing about grief and acceptance. On the flip side, I also got engaged during the writing process, which allowed me to explore love from that perspective as well.
Will there be any collaborations on the album, or is this project entirely focused on your personal artistry?
This is very much about reintroducing myself and setting the foundation for who I am. While there aren’t any featured vocalists, I consider the collaborations with Tobie Tripp, David Sneddon, Theo Hutchcraft, and Anu Pillai to be incredibly special. They’ve played such an important role in shaping this record.
Photo Credit: Jack Alexander
