Singer-songwriter Jonathan Ogden has released what he calls his most personal project yet — an album titled NIGHT, born out of grief after losing both parents and a romantic relationship. The 13-track record, released Sept. 12, explores how God’s presence sustained him through heartbreak, loss and loneliness.
Best known as the former lead singer of Rivers & Robots, known globally for albums such as The Eternal Son, Take Everything and All Things New, the Manchester-based artist has built a solo career marked by creative worship music that blends acoustic, jazz and hip-hop influences. With NIGHT, Ogden departs from expectations to share what he describes as raw prayers, laments and psalms shaped by his darkest season — songs he hopes can serve as a companion for others walking through their own nights.
“I used to think of the night as a purely negative thing — phrases like ‘the dark night of the soul’ made it seem like nothing good can come from these periods,” wrote Ogden.
“But recently my perspective shifted to see the good that comes from the times in our life that feel like ‘night.’
“The night is when we rest, it’s a healing time, our body literally recovers in our sleep at night. It’s a time to come back to our home, to be quiet, to be still.”
Ogden referenced writing by Celtic poet, author and priest John O’Donohue to further explain his thoughts upon goodness coming from dark times: “The world rests in the night. Trees, mountains, fields and faces are released from the prison of shape and the burden of exposure. Each thing creeps back into its own nature within the shelter of the dark. […] The struggle for identity and impression falls away. We rest in the night.”
After a period of grief, heartbreak and an identity crisis, Ogden explained he had to face his own “night.” The Lord helped him in this difficult time.
“It was a wrestle, a fight — at its worst moments it felt falling apart completely, but in time it started to feel more like healing. God held me the whole time. I finally faced things I’d always been afraid to face. I had to un-learn and re-learn what it means to love and be loved.”
Ogden said that music became his outlet for this internal wrestling as he came to terms with this challenging process of healing.
“I set aside expectations of what a ‘Jonathan Ogden’ song was supposed to be and I just started to write from my heart. Writing became a lifeline for me and a way to process everything that was going on. Some of these songs I thought I would never share. They were just ways for me to get through the night. But I began to see that these songs were not just for myself. They were bridges and open hands to anyone going through their own struggles.”
Ogden shared that he looked after his mom in the hard final months before her passing. He moved back to the old loft space in the family home.
“On the days I felt overwhelmed, I went upstairs and I made music. I produced and mixed everything myself this time. I collaborated with a few friends remotely, having them send in their parts, but for the most part, this was a solitary process and a deeply personal work. Several songs were written through tears. I poured everything into this one.”
The result of this struggle evolved into the songs for NIGHT and Ogden explained to fans that for those familiar with his music “you may find this one to be a little different.” However, he also said that in many ways, this album is the “most ‘Jonathan Ogden’ album I’ve made.”
“A mixture of hopeful psalms, honest prayers, laments and songs that tell my story,” Ogden added.
“Grief and hope walk hand-in-hand on this album. I needed to make this album, and for those who need to hear it, I hope it can be your companion on the journey.”
In another recent blog post (August 2025), Ogden, who is in his 30s, confided to fans that he wrestled with loneliness “on a regular basis.”
“It feels strangely vulnerable to be so straight-forward but the truth of the matter is I wrestle with loneliness on a regular basis. I live alone. I lost both my parents, the people who felt like home to me. And going through a break-up meant letting go of the person I truly loved.”
The unity of his family meant the grief arguably hurt more — “Maybe if we weren’t so close, and our family didn’t have such a tight bond, then this wouldn’t sting as much. Maybe it’s safer not to love people or be close with people.”
However, the closeness and comfort of family and siblings led to Ogden feeling thankful and he called this a “gift” left by his parents.
“The ache of loneliness feels even deeper after experiencing such a rich sense of belonging,” Ogden added. “When the good things are really good, the bad things feel really bad.”
Ogden sought answers in reading the Bible and talking to friends. He would also think about what the church taught him growing up.
“I’d think about God’s omnipresence. Friends would remind me through prayers, texts and conversations that I’m never really alone. That God’s presence is always with me. And yet somehow, even though I’d nod in agreement and know deep down they were right - the reality of it felt so out of reach, so ethereal.”
Ogden would sometimes feel God’s “nearness and presence” but other times He seemingly felt distant from the singer.
“People would remind me that my relationship with God is the ultimate relationship, the best thing there is. But then I find myself sat [sic] with my Bible, trying to read a passage I don’t understand, speaking prayers out into the room and not hearing anything back, and I’d think — really?”
The singer realised through the encouragement of friends that God “never failed us. He never actually let us down.”
“Sure, we might have disappointments and things that weren’t answered in the way we thought. But deep down, we know he’s there. It’s just something we can’t shake.”
Ogden’s conclusion was that no person, whether parent or partner, can really “hit that mark” of being known “at the deepest level.” God alone offers perfect, unconditional love.
Furthermore, in conversations with a friend he realised the importance of fellowship as a means of fulfilling God’s mission on Earth. He also had a deeper revelation that the Holy Spirit counsels through the ministry of others.
“A few days ago I found myself set around a table in London pub, talking through some of these very feelings. A friend mentioned the exact same thing: ‘Do you ever think about why Jesus said it was better that he goes away?’
“I nodded the biggest nod I could. We spoke about it for a while and realised, as well as the obvious answer of him sending his Spirit, it may also be for the reason of sitting around tables like the one we were sat around. To be around one another, in deep friendship and connection. Each with the Spirit of God living in us.
“In that way, we all, across the world, have access to Jesus, through other believers. The body. And perhaps part of our ache is that we haven’t explored the depths of what real, soul friendship is meant to look like. The type of friendship Jesus intended for his church.
“Perhaps it takes us leaning into one another and allowing ourselves to be fully seen and known in that space, to feel the love that is by our side.”
