Establishing the mood with a cerebral, dimensional electronica soundscape with glitched and pitched vocals and a hyperpop adjacency, SJBHQ opens Gotta Be You with a brightness that fans of SOPHIE and Charli xcx would be able to connect with, along with a charming, optimistic message.
The repeated refrain serves as a mantra as we are immersed into a progressive and dreamy soundscape, brimful with intricacy. We appreciate the positive message that manifests with the hook, “If anyone’s gonna love me it’s gotta be you…”
The psychedelic vibes invite us into a futuristic universe that feels bright and glossy like Rainbow Road in Mario Kart. The production design is refined and masterful, and there is no doubt that there is a cinematic allure attached to the track – perhaps an episode of Elite on Netflix or Euphoria on HBO.
We learn that SJBHQ is a London-based producer and drummer with Austrian and British ancestry. He blends his love of rhythm and electronica to create work that is personal, and yet open to interpretation. This comes through with the authentic sound that we experience on his debut single.
Gotta Be You reflects his influences from artists such as Pluko, Duskus, and Stresshead, which we can feel come to life, although there is no doubt that SJBHQ is designing a sonic universe unto his own. We have added Gotta Be You to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate future releases from SJBHQ!