John L

"John L"
Single by Black Midi
from the album Cavalcade
B-side"Despair"
Released23 March 2021
Genre
Length5:14
LabelRough Trade
Songwriter(s)Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton, Morgan Simpson, Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin
Producer(s)Marta Salogni
Black Midi singles chronology
"Sweater"
(2020)
"John L"
(2021)
"Slow (Loud)"
(2021)
Music video
"John L" on YouTube

"John L" is a song by English rock band Black Midi, released in 2021 as the lead single from their second studio album, Cavalcade. The song describes the story of a powerful leader, the titular John L, who is eventually betrayed and killed by his followers. It was released on March 23, with the B-side Despair and a music video directed by Nina McNeely. A 12-inch release for the single was made available for pre-order on the same day and released on April 9.[4] The song is one of few on Cavalcade to have writing credits for guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, written before his departure from the band but recorded after.

  1. ^ Kinnett, Tristan. "black midi Announces New Album Cavalcade for May 2021 Release and Detail the Demise of a Cult Leader in New Video for 'John L'". mxdwn.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  2. ^ Curtis-Horsfall, Tom. "black midi drop new singles 'John L / Despair' + announce new album titled Cavalcade". Giglist. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  3. ^ Empire, Kitty. "Black Midi review – punk-jazz power is a recipe for success". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 March 2021). "black midi announce second album Cavalcade". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 24 March 2021.