Drawing us in with an astral synthscape, expanding into a cinematic 80s adjacent energy, Baaj and Baaj opens Don’t Give Up with dimensionality and atmospheric vocals as he sings, “Do whatever you say, that’s me, I’ll be there, we’ll be there… Do whatever you want to say to me, I have tried all the time…”
We immediately connect with the philosophical depth that the artist exudes with his lyricism. It feels both high concept and relatable at the same time. There is no doubt that Don’t Give Up would be perfect for a multitude of sync placements, notably a remake of a film like Sliding Doors or a coming-of-age film like Marty Supreme.
On his message, Baaj confesses, “Don’t Give Up is an uplifting, danceable song that reminds us nothing is ever truly lost. It aims to rekindle the desire to fight seemingly lost causes.” We deeply appreciate the intentionality of his artistry and the unique soundscape that comes to life.
Lyrics like, “If you fall, I will fall with you…” speak volumes and create a sentiment that is reassuring and conscious. We need songs like Don’t Give Up now more than ever – especially in the face of current realities. In this sense, the track feels highly zeitgeist.
We love the layered vocals and the intricacy of the production. The self-created artist, who plays every single instrument, cites The Cure and Depeche Mode as sonic influences, which we can feel manifest on Don’t Give Up, although there is no doubt that Baaj and Baaj is creating a universe unto his own design. It is also no surprise that he has been compared to British pop icons of the 80s like Bono, Dave Gahan, and Bryan Ferry.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Don’t Give Up to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the star’s growing discography, including the entirety of the Don’t Give Up EP!