A self-described “professional sad boy”, pop singer JC Stewart grew up in a rural town of 8,000 in Northern Ireland and became something of a global sensation when his dreamily moody lovelorn anthems racked up millions of clicks across streaming platforms. A note-perfect spot opening for Snow Patrol on a 2019 arena tour helped cement his reputation as a reigning balladeer for the world’s spurned romantics, who heard a kindred spirit in his self-deprecating sentiments (“I Need You to Hate Me”; “Lying That You Love Me”) and a heart-healing balm in his tempered chords and smooth croon.