John Will Releases Third Album “White2Black 白往黑來”

— A Bold Exploration of Sound and Contrast

Published: July 21, 2023

Just four months after the release of his second album Colour 色, independent artist John Will continues to break creative boundaries with his third full-length album, White2Black 白往黑來, released on July 21, 2023. Known for his emotionally rich compositions and evolving soundscapes under the moniker John Will Handel, the artist once again invites listeners into a deeply conceptual and experimental realm.

The album opens with the track Black Box 黑盒, an abstract, enigmatic piece that sets the tone for what follows. Described by John himself as “so avant-garde that even I’m still trying to make sense of it,” the track challenges conventional structure and serves as an immersive gateway into a dual world of contrast and connection.

White2Black is divided into two thematic dimensions — White and Black — symbolising the interplay of light and shadow, clarity and obscurity. Listeners are encouraged to experience the album from either end, creating two possible emotional journeys: one beginning in light and ending in darkness, or the reverse. This fluidity is central to John Will’s vision.

“This album is about transition,” says John. “It’s about movement — between simplicity and complexity, brightness and depth. I wanted to express this through minimalism, visual storytelling, and sonic abstraction. The aesthetic matters just as much as the music itself.”

As his most experimental project to date, White2Black reflects John’s bold venture into the edge of music, where boundaries blur and meaning is found in the spaces between sounds. The album’s unique storytelling approach is supported by a vision that leans heavily into aesthetic clarity, minimalist design, and introspective mood.

Joining him on this artistic journey is a new voice — an anonymous trainee vocalist who performs under the enigmatic alias 大丑 (“Big Clown”). Still in training, 大丑 brings a raw, mysterious energy to the tracks, adding another layer of contrast to the album’s concept.

In addition, John invited a longtime friend — an amateur singer with no professional background — to collaborate on one of the tracks. “It’s important to me to keep this human, to let voices that aren't polished still be part of the narrative,” John shares. “Sometimes the most moving performances are the ones untrained.”

White2Black 白往黑來 is now available on all major streaming platforms. With its immersive design and thought-provoking sonic palette, the album invites listeners to choose their own path — from white to black, or black to white — and to discover something new in the contrast.

For more on John Will and his music, visit https://links.monnarrow.com/discography

— A Bold Exploration of Sound and Contrast