Jont’s new single, “The Next Ramana Maharshi,” is a deeply introspective and rousing anthem that explores the journey of personal growth, spiritual yearning, and the search for meaningful connection.

Born Jonathan Whittington in London, Jont’s music has always strived to capture the nuances of life’s emotional landscapes. In this track, he reflects on his spiritual journey—not in pursuit of fame or recognition, but rather to understand what to do with “all this love I got.” The song tells the story of a seeker who, inspired by the call-and-response of two songbirds, discovers the true nature of love and the part he is meant to play in this vast world.

The inspiration behind the song came from Jont’s own yearning for a partner, balancing his spiritual quest with the deep desire to share his love with someone. “I’m not here to be some famous Indian guru, I’m just trying to work out what to do with all this love I’ve got,” says Jont. “Where is the person I can share this love with? What am I meant to do with all this love?”

The title of the song is both a playful reflection and an irreverent surrender to the notion that, while Ramana Maharshi was a true ascended master, none of us are here to fill those shoes. “It’s a joke,” Jont says. “Of course, none of us are here to be the next Ramana Maharshi, but there’s a sort of humour in saying that.”

“The Next Ramana Maharshi” uniquely blends raw emotion with poetic references to spiritual figures like Maharshi, embracing a freedom from commercial expectations and instead focusing on feeling. “It’s real,” says Jont. “The details don’t matter, it’s the feeling and the emotion behind the chorus—‘I’m not here to be the next Ramana Maharshi.’ You can feel it, even if you don’t know who the person is.”

The song came to life during a transformative writing session on the tropical island of Koh Phangang, Thailand. “It was almost as if I healed sadness through the three-day process of writing the song,” Jont reflects. “It all started with melancholy searching verses, and then it naturally led to a moment of epiphany when I heard the call-and-response of an Asian koel bird. I didn’t even know what I was writing, but it moved me to tears.”

A live take recorded at Sonic Studios in Halifax, the track captures the raw energy of the moment with Jont and his band The Fish’s dynamic performance. Later, strings were added to elevate the song’s emotional depth, creating a production that is as organic as the journey it describes.