Troye Sivan & Pnau Return with a Dance-Pop Jam to Warm Up Winter
The two acts recently released the collaboration "You Know What I Need," a delicious example of how disco is influencing modern dance-pop.
The weather may be turning cold in the U.S., but the exact opposite is taking place in Australia, so that means it’s the perfect time for a new summer-ready bop to make its way to the party-going masses.
Singer-songwriter Troye Sivan and electronic production trio Pnau have delivered a song that’s set to soundtrack the summer down under and which may very well make this coming American winter a bit more tolerable.
The two acts recently released their collaboration “You Know What I Need,” a delicious example of how disco is influencing modern dance-pop.
The tune relies heavily on an infectious bass line that immediately lets the listener know this is a cut that will get them out of their seats and onto the dance floor (should there be one available).
“You Know What I Need” is a simple song all about a love gone awry, but it makes plenty of references to the seasons its release may define.
Early in the cut, Sivan sings lines like, “When we only cared about the fall” and “Everything is frozen,” seemingly pointing to listeners in the northern hemisphere, who will hear the track as the temperature drops.
The second verse appears to be best interpreted by Australian, homegrown fans, as lyrics such as, “If we keep on burnin’ / No, I can’t leave you / The world will keep on turnin'” may have been written just for them.
The single came with a simple-but-visually arresting video that may be best viewed after an edible. What started as an iPhone clip of Sivan singing and dancing to the new production has been transformed into something artistic and otherworldly thanks to some expert-level visual effects.
No word yet on whether “You Know What I Need” will be featured on Sivan’s next full-length (which he recently said on Instagram is nearly done), a long-awaited project from Pnau (who haven’t released an album since 2017), or if it will be relegated to one-off single status.
“You Know What I Need” marks an important comeback of sorts for production trio Pnau, who took their time following up the biggest success of their career.
The band partnered with Elton John and Dua Lipa in 2021 to produce the single “Cold Heart (Pnau remix),” which combined the lyrics of several of John’s most beloved tunes with updated backing music to create something fresh and new.
The track ended up becoming a quick global smash, rising to the top 10 on charts almost everywhere, including in both the U.K. and Australia, where it eventually made its way to No. 1.
For his part, Sivan has been busy throughout 2022 releasing music, with “You Know What I Need” being the latest new tune he’s doled out. He started the year with a pair of tracks, both of which were created for the film Three Months, which also stars the singer-songwriter. Since then, he has reportedly been hard at work on what will be his third full-length.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
