The spirit of survival is in the lyrics of Allan Jamisen's song titled Gotta Do, which has a skeleton of simplicity that becomes very deep. This is electronic music that has a pulse, literal and emotional, in which the outsider art of the composer transmits personal struggle into a meditation on what it is to descend into.
It begins with relaxing synth sounds nearly lightweight which create a reflective mood before progressing into a refreshing drop which does not take away the reflective essence of the song. The vulnerability in Jamisen's vocals is earned and comes about through the tough situation in which it was created. The background vocals performed by his departed mother introduce a certain level of sadness which cannot be overlooked and it makes what would have been a simple electro-pop track sound much more personal and close to the heart.
The remarkable quality of "Gotta Do" is the balance that is created between opposing forces. The resulting production is a mixture of beautiful synth and pounding rhythms- a vibrant dissonance of polish and rawness, of dance and bedroom. The lyrical simplicity is in favour of the song, as it is in favour of repetition, which is hypnotic instead of repetitive and with every repetition, the song develops a new shade of meaning around the self-preservation and spirit of togetherness.
Jamisen is informed by his background, including childhood honour choirs in Phoenix and the work with influential individuals in Los Angeles, Copenhagen and more without becoming overwhelmed. His collaborations with the likes of Mega Records Claes Cornelius to producer John X Volaitis have unquestionably made him a better artist, but “Gotta Do” is completely his. It is a song that realises that personal suffering and catchy music can co-exist, how electronic production can complement and not mask true feeling. This is an invigorating experience that makes you move and yet feel, a combination that is hard to find and welcome.
