Nine years after his debut solo album, Nathan Sykes is ready to reintroduce himself — this time, with no apologies and no hesitation. ‘Ultraviolet’, his long-awaited second studio album, out TODAY, marks a return not just to music, but to himself.
“With such a long period between solo albums, and so much personal growth during that time, my sound has naturally matured, with a quiet confidence threaded throughout that can even be felt within the vocal delivery and production of each track,” Sykes says reflecting on the near-decade between records. His 2016 debut, ‘Unfinished Business’, was polished, poised, and promising — the sound of a former boy-band star finding his footing. But ‘Ultraviolet’ is something else entirely: a visceral, confessional record that feels like the diary of a man who’s learned to love his scars.
Work on the album began back some years, before life took some unexpected turns. The Wanted’s reunion, Tom Parker’s heartbreaking illness and passing, and the whiplash of fame and grief left Sykes reassessing everything — including his voice. “The record is my most personal and authentic work to date,” he says. “It explores parts of my life that I previously haven’t known how to tap into, ranging from moments where I’m on the outside looking in, to diving into what it’s like to truly love and feel love for the first time.”
The result is ‘Ultraviolet’ — a twelve-track journey through heartbreak, hope, and healing. From the lush, cinematic opener ‘U.V.’ to the slow-burn R&B of ‘Dive’, the record pulses with a confidence that feels earned. ‘Butterflies’ shimmers with the sparkle of early-2000s pop, while ‘Skin’ digs deep into vulnerability and self-acceptance. Every song is co-written by Sykes, showcasing an artist who’s taken full creative control.
Sonically, the record blends glossy pop with soulful undertones — think Sam Smith’s emotional candour meets the sleek production of George Ezra and Tom Grennan. Sykes teamed up with producer Tobie Tripp, as well as writers David Sneddon (Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi), Theo Hutchcraft (Calvin Harris, Måneskin), and Anu Pillai (Lewis Capaldi, Declan J Donovan), to craft a sound that’s modern but unmistakably his own. Mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice (Sam Smith), the album glows with warmth, texture, and a distinctly British polish.
Standouts like ‘Pieces of Me’ and ‘Guess I Was Right’ deliver radio-ready hooks wrapped in emotional honesty. Meanwhile, closer ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ — a delicate piano ballad — feels like Sykes’ most vulnerable moment yet.
There’s a maturity in Sykes’ tone now — a quiet assurance that replaces the restless energy of his twenties. Where ‘Unfinished Business’ was a promise, ‘Ultraviolet’ is fulfilment. It’s not about proving himself anymore; it’s about being himself.
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