Composer and painter Allan Jamisen balances personal introspection and dazzling electro-pop infectiousness on “Gotta Do,” a new single that transforms a simple phrase into a hypnotic reflection on survival, self-preservation, and collective spirit. Written during one of the most difficult chapters of his life, the track merges emotional rawness with a climactic electronic charm — all while thematically examining interpersonal relations in modern society.
At its core, “Gotta Do” explores how individuals navigate uncertainty and emotional distance in an increasingly fractured world. “‘I Gotta Do What I Gotta Do’ is a common phrase and a form of self-preservation — a defiant, almost egoistic affirmation in the face of uncertainty and adversity,” Jamisen explains. “Ultimately, in the lyric refrain ‘We Gotta Do What We Gotta Do,’ the collectivist spirit prevails over the illusionary premise of ego gratification.”
The track’s meditative simplicity repeats initially amidst lush synths, which swell from starry-eyed serenity into a buzzing, dance-ready invigoration. An infectious drop soon takes hold, as throbbing rhythms, grimy synth pulses, and ardent vocal effects intertwine. Jamisen’s introspective refrains merge with a dynamic electronic energy, balancing between dreamy reflection and contagious, club-ready momentum. A final hook-laden drop of buzzing synths and vigor-full rhythms erupts in the song’s closing moments, sealing the track with a satiating, replay-inducing impact.
The inspiration behind “Gotta Do” was born from a period of profound personal struggle. Jamisen was balancing full-time work while caring for his terminally ill mother, all while navigating a one-sided romantic connection. “One morning, I found myself repeating the phrase ‘I gotta do what I gotta do, she’s gotta do what she’s gotta do,’” he recalls. “Recognizing it as a catchy hook, I ran to my computer and formulated the idea into a simple musical form.”
Musically, “Gotta Do” draws on the minimalist drive of “Warm Leatherette” by The Normal — famously reimagined by Grace Jones — channeling that same hypnotic economy of sound. “One of the fascinations I’ve had about EDM and dance music in general is how a simple lyric acquires a deeper meaning as it aligns with the repetitious patterns of the music and groove,” says Jamisen. “There’s something powerful and hypnotic about this combination, becoming almost a mantra. Simplicity and minimalism can be profound in that context.”
The lyrics unfold in what Jamisen calls a “bastardized form of haiku”:
“I Gotta Do What I Gotta Do.”
“She Gotta Do What She Gotta Do.”
“We Gotta Do What We Gotta Do.”
Amid its hypnotic pulse, the song also carries a deeply human touch — Jamisen’s late mother can be heard among the background vocals. “Even though she was desperately ill, and I knew she was going to pass away soon, I really wanted to include her in the creative process with me,” he shares. “It was something meaningful we could do together before she was gone.”
Additional vocals were recorded in Phoenix, where Jamisen is based, before he traveled to Denmark to complete the production with a team of collaborators — a full-circle return to the creative hub where many of his earlier projects began. “It turned out really fantastic,” he says. “And it seems even more relevant now than when it was originally created. Timing is everything.”
Following his recent singles “Rock & Roll American” and “All I Am Is You,” Jamisen continues to defy convention with “Gotta Do,” a track that finds transcendence in simplicity, turning repetition into revelation. It’s at once an electronic groove, a mantra, and a meditation on what it means to keep moving forward.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
