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Photo: Jimmy Fontaine

Joe P, the New Jersey artist known for tunes self-produced in his basement studio, is entering a new era of his cinematic, story-driven alternative pop music. His newest single offers listeners a two-for-one special; it’s upbeat and danceable upon first listen, then twists into heartache as the meaning is unveiled. 

Joe P is a master of soundscapes, and “Don’t Wanna Love U” is no exception. He layers atmospheric synths to create a cavern of symphonic textures that soften the full-bodied, slightly distorted guitar riff that acts as the song’s foundation. 

If you read the lyrics of “Don’t Wanna Love U,” you’d expect a mournful ballad, when in reality, the song is propelled by a dizzyingly upbeat drumbeat. It settles into this light, disco-adjacent groove, while the lyrics give a death sentence to a love affair. But it’s that groove that somehow drives the heartbreak home, offering a deliciously bright contrast to the vivid depth of the arrangement and lyrics. Joe says on the topic, “Basically, it’s the saddest song I’ve ever written dressed up in a happy song’s clothes.”

The mournfulness of the verse hits even harder after the danceable chorus, as the juxtaposition of the song’s sound and meaning becomes clear. Suddenly, upbeat call-and-response background vocals bend into a melancholy choir, and the buoyant drums become a charade of fake happiness. 

“Don’t Wanna Love U” is a kaleidoscopic step forward into Joe P’s next wave of alt-pop releases, leading up to his highly anticipated West Coast Fall Tour, kicking off on October 16 in Seattle. 

Watch the "Don't Wanna Love U" lyric video below: