Will Swinton Asks If He Is The “Only One”
New Zealand alternative breakout Will Swinton returns with his aching new single “Only One,” out now on 10K Projects / Capitol Records. With a panoramic full-band sound and vulnerable lyrics that cut to the bone, the song captures the blissful desperation of being hopelessly strung out on love.
The release follows not only the news that Will is playing Lollapalooza Chicago this year, but also his recent run opening the Australian leg of mgk’s blockbuster lost americana tour. At the Auckland stop, mgk even brought Will out to sing “papercuts” with him at the 13,000-capacity Spark Arena. It was a full-circle moment, as mgk gave Will his first major cosign nearly four years ago after the pair met by happenstance at a bar in Idaho and the budding artist played him some early tunes.
Will also previewed “Only One” during those April arena shows, continuing a hot streak of stormy, heartstring-tugging singles. Reuniting him with co-producers Ethan Schneiderman and Paul Phamous, the song is driving from the start, pairing crackling electric guitar with Will’s pained voice as he paints a picture of a lovelorn subject in need of a fix: “Just to keep me holding on, tell me I’m the only one you want / You don’t have to mean it love, I just need a piece of us.” Later, as the music intensifies, he cuts to the chase: “Hold me close, baby, tell me lies, I’ll let you / Hell, I’ll let you.”
“Only One” follows February’s “Better Off,” a cinematically evolving song that wrestles with the choice to let go of love that’s lingered too long. Before that came the soaring “Find a Way,” which 1883 Magazine raved, “perfectly encapsulates a vision of ethereal rock centered on an exhilarating live performance and melody that you couldn’t forget if you tried.” Taken together, the trio confirm that Will has arrived at his own brand of rock music, unapologetically building on the wintry acoustic beauty of his breakout December EP, but without sacrificing an ounce of meaning or feeling. As Will told Behind the Blinds in his new digital cover story, “I spent the whole of 2025 finding a sound that I love, and I’m excited to release it into the world.”
Will’s star rose steeply across 2025. As he opened the year, PEOPLE championed him as an emerging artist to watch and called him “a star in the making.” Then, shortly after Will wrapped his warmly received debut run of U.S. headliners, Kelly Clarkson performed a surprise “Kellyoke” cover of his deeply felt Americana strummer “Flames” on The Kelly Clarkson Show — watch HERE. She also told her massive audience, “If you haven’t heard his music yet, there is no time like the present. Look him up!” Then, last May, after opening for Myles Smith in Auckland, Will was pulled back onstage for an impromptu duet of Smith’s smash hit “Stargazing” — watch HERE.
Due to fan demand, Will closed out last year by bringing his older song “Daydream” up to date, pairing a riveting vocal performance with spare, grungy guitar in the gorgeously shot “Daydream (Stripped)” video. His rise only continued into 2026, starting with him opening for The Kid Laroi at the Australian Open. For those who haven’t yet had the chance to see Will perform in person, he recently shared a stunning live cover of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
Already a mainstay on the Hot 20 New Zealand Singles Chart thanks to songs like “Daydream” (#5) and the undeniable 2024 folk-pop gem “Can’t Let Go” (#7), Will Swinton is clearly emerging as a global force. With each new song, he takes one more confident step into his exciting next chapter.
Photo Credit: Nick Masri