John Goldrust rises from the fire on expansive debut album ‘Like A Phoenix’

John Goldrust turns a decade of loves, losses and creative exploration into his long-awaited debut studio album, Like A Phoenix.

The Oxford-based independent artist describes the record as a search for the meaning of life, documenting his experiences while simultaneously pursuing a career in music. Recorded and produced at Goldrust Recording Studios across ten years, the album follows his 2023 arrival on commercial streaming platforms and 2026’s Travellers In Timing EP.

Its opening stretch immediately demonstrates Goldrust’s melodic instincts. ‘The One For Me’ and ‘Down By The Riverside’ favour acoustic textures, while ‘Like a Phoenix From A Fire’ introduces sweeping strings and Celtic influences.

From there, Goldrust allows his long-standing fascination with different genres to take control. ‘Nightmare Attack’ ventures into experimental electronic territory, while ‘It’s Dawning On Mars’ unleashes considerably heavier riffing.

A live rendition of ‘Mystify The Light’ closes the album with piano and a restrained vocal performance, bringing the focus back to the songwriting beneath its stylistic detours.

For an artist who has spent decades experimenting with rock, electronic music, jazz, funk and reggae, Like A Phoenix feels appropriately restless; a debut shaped by the entire journey that preceded it.